Product Description

Raskolnikov, a destitute and desperate former student, wanders through the slums of St Petersburg and commits a random murder without remorse or regret. He imagines himself to be a great man, a Napoleon: acting for a higher purpose beyond conventional moral law. But as he embarks on a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a suspicious police investigator, Raskolnikov is pursued by the growing voice of his conscience and finds the noose of his own guilt tightening around his neck. Only Sonya, a downtrodden prostitute, can offer the chance of redemption.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1214 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

About the Author
Richard Peace is Emeritus Professor of Russian at Bristol University. He is the author of Dostoevsky: An Examination of his Major Novels.

Customer Reviews

VERY DISAPPOINTING
Very disappointing. Far too drawn out in quite a few places. Was well into it in parts and nodding off in others.

A great idea, but a little clumsy and clunky in execution.

Brilliant (But depends on which translation you read)
In my opinion this is the greatest novel ever written, in that it is the most complete study of mental anguish and human suffering and redemption.

One caveat is that the only translation worth reading is that by Constance Garnett. It gets a lot of bad press by critics who claim it makes the novel sound very Victorian. I adisagree. I don't know which is the most faithful translation to Dostoevsky original text (I cannot read Russian) but this is so much more superior than the 'modern' translations. My favourite chapter (Part 4 Chapter 1) is totally ruined in the newer versions. And in many cases the new translation make the text unwieldy and inelegant.

Read this book, but do yourself a favour and read the Garnett translation.

Deep and relevant
Crime and Punishment beautifully captures moods and moments to guide the reader through the book as though we were truly looking through Roskolnikov's eyes. Dostoyevsky understands the danger that lurks in all of us, and the mind's ability to twist and justify actions and thoughts with the greatest of ease if we are thrown off the righteous path. This is reflected beautifully in the most extreme of scenarios that Roskolnikov finds himself in. It would be a challenge to pick this book up and not finish reading it.