Crime and Punishment
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Reviewed by: Pete C. pacrome@excite.com Date: 1 July 2003
What a strange book! Strange in a good way, though. Dostoyevsky extensively describes the thoughts of a tormented young man, Raskolnikov, who decides to commit a murder. Why? He is not motivated by greed, revenge, or any other typical causes. Instead his reason is theoretical--essentially, he is testing a very unusual theory of living that he has developed. The book examines the psychological effect Raskolnikov's act has on mainly himself, but also his family and friends. I don't know how Dostoyevsky ever thought of this plot or was able to so intensely examine Raskolnikov's mental struggle, but he did in such a way that it makes a very interesting read. It is a not difficult read, but some parts are rather disturbing; on the other hand, a few (only a few) parts are somewhat uplifting. The general mood of the book is dismal, but the pervasive brutal honesty makes it undoubtedly genuine. I think this is one reason I liked it so much. It is a relatively long novel, but one I would strongly recommend.
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