Fyodor Dostoevsky – Crime and Punishment – 1866

Crime and Punishment was written in 1866. It is a literary landmark known to all, whether you are inclined towards literature or not. It’s often considered one of the greatest classics, and some claim it’s among the world’s most widely read novels. I wonder how you investigate such a claim, but that’s a separate matter. The edition I’ve read is translated by Hans Björkegren, and though it would be interesting to compare translations, that’s a project I don’t currently have time for—perhaps someone has already undertaken it.

Nearly everyone I’ve spoken to about Crime and Punishment extols its virtues. A couple of friends and I agree that the initial hundred or so pages are a bit challenging, but the narrative becomes exceptionally engaging afterward. The opening pages are necessary for establishing relationships among the characters.

Raskolnikov

In essence, the story revolves around a former student named Raskolnikov, who commits murder—actually, two murders, as someone inadvertently becomes a victim of his act. Afterward, this man is tormented by his conscience, questioning whether he has committed a crime or not. Despite his crime, he has given away all his money to those in greater need. He has also protected his loved ones from morally worse offenders than a murderer like himself. He grapples with the question of whether he is truly evil or good. The murder, in his view, is part of a theory he has pondered for a while—whether the end justifies the means.

Unfortunately, my expectations for this renowned book – Crime and Punishment, were so elevated that I ultimately felt a bit disappointed. It’s not a complaint about the writing or the sporadic dips in tension (well, it was a bit uneven, but that likely rests more on me than the book’s qualities). It’s just that I expected more! The resolution feels somewhat simplistic, with Raskolnikov eventually confessing and accepting his punishment. If I were a literary scholar, I could probably identify numerous points that elude me. The names of the characters, for instance, as I saw somewhere, represent precisely what the characters are about.

Disapointment

Consideration must also be given to the time and circumstances in which the book was written, but my knowledge in this area is limited. Apparently, it is based on a real case, and the settings and temporal accuracy are undoubtedly correct. However, I was somewhat disappointed; it became a bit too straightforward in the end. Nonetheless, the writing is enjoyable. Dostoevsky employs various narrative techniques, even reasoning with the reader by commenting on the story in parentheses here and there, describing moods, etc.

I absolutely do not regret taking the time to read Crime and Punishment—it was a true pleasure. I feel inclined to explore at least one or two more books by this Russian author. But it might be a while before I feel like delving into another 600-plus-page tome. Interestingly, the edition I read is published in two volumes, making the conclusion somehow more manageable. Even if you know there’s another book to read; it somehow feels more comprehensible.