Crime and Punishment- Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Review)

The review is not exactly structured, though an attempt has been made. Its mostly just random praise for a brilliant book that has really surprised me. I never knew one book could incite so many thoughts and emotions. Its full of deep philosophical thoughts....a level-II kinda book.

Who should read it?

Absolutely everyone capable of reading it, should do it. Specifically I am sure the book will be a delight for psychology students and for lawyers and for those who have a habit of overthinking. Of course someone about to commit a crime could also read it.

Comments

This book was totally planned, just like the crime that it describes. Beautiful attention to detail on the chronology of events in the book, makes you stop every once in a while and admire the intelligence of the author.

All characters (especially Rodya’s best friend) of the book have been beautifully painted. Even characters with devious intentions look like they have been derived from the author’s life (not to insinuate the author). Because of this the characters retain a touch of reality. The usual bad habits of normal human beings (those we encounter in our lives) have been exaggerated and written down in a manner that makes them look bad. I wish I could describe and examine each of the characters in much more detail, but that would be a futile effort.

Specific Parts I liked

One of the best parts that I enjoyed in the book was when Rodya confessed to her (not taking any more names). It covered almost all ranges of emotions possible and felt so real and plausible. Like in all masterpieces, there is also a beautiful understanding of how people (men & women) judge each other (refer the part where Rodya’s sister and her stalker talk). The book is also a delight for feminists. I read multiple times and relished the part when Rodya’s sister rejected a particular person’s hand.

Conclusion

I was fortunate to read this book at the right age (not too late at least). It reiterates an important fact that we all know, at least intuitively- Man is a social being and that sharing grief and pain makes it less of a burden. The guilt factor reduces in case of crimes.

Despite all the gloom that this book evokes in the one who reads it, it is in the end a happy story. It is heartening that Rodya and his family stick together and understand each other. The love between characters totally makes the pain sufferable. The book asks a pertinent question any sensible person with a loving family asks of themselves at some point of time, “Why are they fond of me?”.

This book is not an effort by the author; it is a masterpiece of a genius. It is effortless on the part of the author, it seems.

A line that I loved (apart from many other)

“Life had stepped into the place of theory and something quite different would work itself out in his mind.”

It beautifully sums up the futility of careful planning and logics that we sometimes apply on life (which many a times Rodya did too).

Too long did not read (TLDR as they say it)

I have not yet read a better book. I may, after this, but that too may be written by Dostoyevsky. This was his first book I read.