Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. 100% Money Back Guarantee.
| |||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Unknown Binding
When Raskolnikov finally admits to Sonya that he was the one who murdered the old crone pawnbroker and her sister, she implores him, "Go to the crossroads, bow down to the people, kiss the earth, because you have sinned before it as well * * *." It reminded me of "Crossroads Blues" by the Mississippi Delta blues Prometheus, Robert Johnson: "I went to the crossroads, fell down on my knees / I went to the crossroads, fell down on my knees / Asked the Lord above, have mercy now, / Save poor Bob if you please." One of those quirky cross-cultural coincidences that bewitch me.
It's unlikely that Robert Johnson found forgiveness and redemption (in legend, though not in the song, he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads). For Raskolnikov, with the considerable help of Sonya (who truly is a harlot-cum-saint), there ultimately is transformation and regeneration, though it does not happen instanter with his confession "at the crossroads".
What is CRIME AND PUNISHMENT? First, it is a mystery novel or crime thriller, though the mystery is not who killed the old crone pawnbroker and her sister, but rather why - what motivated Raskolnikov? Second, it is a psychological novel, one of the first and greatest psychological novels in Western literature. Yet, the novel also demonstrates that there is a limit to psychology (as with all other social sciences), a limit inherent in the fact that humans have free will . . . and an evil streak. Third, it is a novel about political and social philosophies - nihilism, social utopianism, and the like. Fourth, it is a novel about vanity and egotism. Despite his somewhat limited means, Raskolnikov wants everything. "Otherwise it's better not to live at all." Dostoevsky means to show that humans can rise above the curse of vanity -- if they accept their lots in life, reach out to one another with love, and have faith. Ultimately, then, it also is a Christian novel.
Much of Dostoevsky's fame rests on his thorough and unsentimentally clinical examination of the human condition, almost like an autopsy. That characteristic is also at the fore in CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. He is one of the most important intellectual progenitors of existentialism, which probably is the intellectual "ism" for which the 20th Century will be best known. Yet, for Dostoevsky, and many readers don't wish to acknowledge this about him, there was a way out of the cage of mortal existence - through faith and salvation (which, for Dostoevsky, was in Christ and through Christ).
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT has some flaws. (To what extent are its imperfections due to the fact that it was issued in serial installments, with Dostoevsky still writing and revising later Parts even after the first Parts had been published, all under a rather draconian publisher's deadline?) No one would hold it out as the epitome of a perfect novel. But it is a gripping novel, a great one even. It is dramatic, much like grand opera. It has pathos. It also has comedy (something I did not recognize the first time I read it). It has pace, forward momentum. Most of its characters are superbly individuated. It is captivating both intellectually and emotionally. In short, it is a work of genius.
It's unlikely that Robert Johnson found forgiveness and redemption (in legend, though not in the song, he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads). For Raskolnikov, with the considerable help of Sonya (who truly is a harlot-cum-saint), there ultimately is transformation and regeneration, though it does not happen instanter with his confession "at the crossroads".
What is CRIME AND PUNISHMENT? First, it is a mystery novel or crime thriller, though the mystery is not who killed the old crone pawnbroker and her sister, but rather why - what motivated Raskolnikov? Second, it is a psychological novel, one of the first and greatest psychological novels in Western literature. Yet, the novel also demonstrates that there is a limit to psychology (as with all other social sciences), a limit inherent in the fact that humans have free will . . . and an evil streak. Third, it is a novel about political and social philosophies - nihilism, social utopianism, and the like. Fourth, it is a novel about vanity and egotism. Despite his somewhat limited means, Raskolnikov wants everything. "Otherwise it's better not to live at all." Dostoevsky means to show that humans can rise above the curse of vanity -- if they accept their lots in life, reach out to one another with love, and have faith. Ultimately, then, it also is a Christian novel.
Much of Dostoevsky's fame rests on his thorough and unsentimentally clinical examination of the human condition, almost like an autopsy. That characteristic is also at the fore in CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. He is one of the most important intellectual progenitors of existentialism, which probably is the intellectual "ism" for which the 20th Century will be best known. Yet, for Dostoevsky, and many readers don't wish to acknowledge this about him, there was a way out of the cage of mortal existence - through faith and salvation (which, for Dostoevsky, was in Christ and through Christ).
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT has some flaws. (To what extent are its imperfections due to the fact that it was issued in serial installments, with Dostoevsky still writing and revising later Parts even after the first Parts had been published, all under a rather draconian publisher's deadline?) No one would hold it out as the epitome of a perfect novel. But it is a gripping novel, a great one even. It is dramatic, much like grand opera. It has pathos. It also has comedy (something I did not recognize the first time I read it). It has pace, forward momentum. Most of its characters are superbly individuated. It is captivating both intellectually and emotionally. In short, it is a work of genius.
4 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By B. Thompson
Format:Unknown Binding
While I love the translation, I was very disappointed that the pages started popping out as I bent the spine of this large paperback.
3 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By E.J. Kaye
Format:Unknown Binding
Interesting premise, and Dostoevskii delivers a stunning philosophical set of arguments. Though Dostoevskii is not my favorite Russian author, it is a a worthwhile read for anyone interested in both the time period and the questions it brings up. The translation is strong; a huge step up from the public domain translations.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Listmania!
|
|
So You'd Like to...
|
|
