Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoevsky

[Jellybelly]

I have to admit, I would have never read this book had I not had been given it as an english assignment. That being said, do not let the long Russian names nor the intense title guide you away from it.

Crime and Punishment is about a former Russian student living in a time of great poverty for his country. In desperation he commits murder, and the majority of the book is focused on the consquences it has on his mind and relationships.

The book is full of Christian symbolism, which does mean that it is directed toward a specific audience, so be aware. However, it also analyzes the ordinary man Vs. the extrodinary, and asks the old age question - Is anyone above the law? The material is a little more mature (considering the murder), so I would reccomend it for high school students or older, although I'm sure most everyone on this site could handle it.

A very excellent read, but be prepared to do a lot of thinking if you read it.

[Syn]

I remember when I got it as a school assignment. I remembered hearing about it before and I really wanted to read it; after all, it was one of the big classics.
However, I also remember reading it for quite a while. The entire first part of it took me ages to read. I would read one or at most two pages per day. I just couldn't get into it much. But after he actually killed the woman and it got a bit more interesting, I couldn't put it out of my hands. I rushed through the rest of the book in a couple of days. I think it's a very good book for any highschooler to read because it offers a very interesting perspective on a very common thing in today's world - murder. It's truly a great classic and I think that any book lover should most definitely read it!

[bookworm]

However, I also remember reading it for quite a while. The entire first part of it took me ages to read. I would read one or at most two pages per day. I just couldn't get into it much.

For me, reverse. I had the flu and just lay in bed and read it until I finnished it. It absorbed me completely. And the part before he killed the woman I found more interesting than the middle, when nothing much happened.
I think Crime and Punishment might be the best book I've ever read.

[janinetaylor44]

Since you liked Crime and Punishment have you read The Brothers Karamazov? Did you like it? If not I highly recommend you read it.