CRIME AND PUNISHMENT FJODOR DOSTOYEVSKY

You might have heard of the Dostoyevsky classic Crime and Punishment but dismissed it as just some other classic from the 1800s, not worthy of your time. I hope that this review might convince you to give this extraordinary novel a shot, as it is without a doubt the best piece of literature I have ever read.

The story follows Raskolnikov, a former student, navigating a poverty stricken and chaotic life in St. Petersburg in the 1860s. Through utilitarian thought and a theory of his own making, which allows extraordinary people to transgress laws, Raskolnikov is able to justify murdering an unpleasant pawn broker named Alyona. Following his act, we get to experience the gradual psychological breakdown of Raskolnikov as well as the high stakes cat and mouse game he has to play to not get found out.

I was completely taken aback by the relatively fast pacing of the novel, as I am used to older literature feeling very slow in comparison to newer works. Dostoyevsky writes incredibly well, giving vivid descriptions of a quite depressing St Petersburg. The many storylines and characters are all beautifully complex and perfectly flushed out, making the book a real page turner. The dialogue is especially impressive, as it is written in a way that completely draws the reader in and in some cases takes you to the edge of your seat, anxiously anticipating what will happen next. Beyond just being an incredibly well written and exciting novel, the work is also quite profound. It tackles deep philosophical dilemmas and steelman’s the arguments it is opposing rather than caricaturing them. Dostoyevsky thus does not merely manage to entertain and engage you, but also to make you think.

I do not have any real criticisms of the work, other than there being an epilog that seems quite out of place. To conclude, I give Crime and Punishment my highest recommendation and urge all of you to read it. I can promise you that you won’t regret it.