This is the first book I have ever failed to finish. I got to the end of part one and found the story so harrowing that I was dreading finding out what happened next. The main topic of of the book is handled with such unflinching honesty that it left me feeling distinctly uncomfortable.

My two stars reflects the impact the book had on me emotionally, Dostoevsky's writing is very vivid and it would not put me off reading other works by him. ( )

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Perhaps the most ‘readable’ of Dostoevsky’s work, Crime and Punishment takes a look at duality and morality, the heart in conflict with itself. The characters can seem over the top to modern readers, and there are passages that seem long-winded; also a deus ex machina contrivance that strains credibility. Yet there is always a sense of an author truly trying to figure things out, who feels great compassion for his characters. The novel captures a moment in time, 19th century St. Petersburg in between the late Romantic and the Utilitarian, or rational egoist, as Dostoyevsky’s attitudes changed from his time with the Petrashevsky Circle to his post-prison rapprochement with Church and State. There is a central theme of suffering being the basis for happiness rather than a socialist or rationalist plan for living

The book can be surprisingly funny, artistic in its depiction of St. Petersburg light, simplistic especially in its female characters, and both maddening and endearing in equal measure. In its time it was a groundbreaking work in the exploration of psychological character. In the present, it remains an honest look at the abject misery and hopelessness of poverty, and by what means people seek to alleviate the pain of life. ( )

I had first tried to read this novel when I was at school. But I didn't have enough time to read it before the discussion so I just read a shortened version (so short, in fact, that I thought that Raskolnikov gets arrested right at the beginning of the story). And this time I was quite surprised by the plot.

There were a lot of events that were interesting for me and added to the understanding of Raskolnikov's motives. Nevertheless, I think his reflections could be much shorter because after some time they became repetitive. I think it was not a very difficult read for me because I listened to it and I'm quite familiar with Russian names so I didn't struggle with them. But the story is really poignant so I can't say that I wanted to come back to it every time. I didn't feel sympathy for the main character. The only person who I really cared for was Sonia and I didn't want her to be with Raskolnikov. He seems to be too egoistic and a self-centered person.

But overall I'm happy that I read this story as it's considered a classic and that was an interesting experience to get. ( )