Crime and Punishment (Signet Classics) [Paperback]

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Author), Sidney Monas (Translator), Leonard Stanton (Introduction), James D. Jr. Hardy (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

Set in Russia in the midst of its troubled transition to the modern age, this classic novel is the profound human drama of Raskolnikov, a sensitive intellectual driven by poverty and the belief of his exemption from moral law. Through his unforgettable gallery of characters, Dostoyevsky provides a provocative look at the human motivations of obsession and possession with unflinching philosophical and moral insight. A masterpiece of dramatic literature by one of the greatest novelist of all time.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Signet Classics (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451527232
• ISBN-13: 978-0451527233
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #282,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Dostoyevsky's very best, October 7, 2005

By 

Mike Smith (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Crime and Punishment (Signet Classics) (Paperback)

"Crime and Puishment" is the story of an intellectual young man who decides to kill an old woman for purely philosophical reasons. It's about how this philosophy doesn't hold up once he actually goes through with the murder, and about the horrible physical and psychologial effects that commiting such a violent crime has on the young man's mind.
The book does an excellent job of getting the reader inside the main character's head, and as you read you'll find yourself rooting for him, for this murderer who just killed two people. It's unbearably suspenseful at times.
The book examines crime, morality, repentance, and the theory that maybe there are people who can commit crimes without the crimes being wrong as long as those people are mentally strong enough--people like Napoleon.
The book's characters are excellently drawn, and the story is much more focused and directed and streamlined than "The Brothers Karamazov" or "The Idiot."
I've read this book multiple times, and every time I've found something new in it. Like many of Dostoyevsky's books, it's like an entire world that can never be completely explored--and it's a world worth exploring.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intense experience, March 4, 2002

By 

hobby_wrestler (Joplin, Mo United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crime and Punishment (Signet Classics) (Paperback)

At first glance, this story may appear relatively uncomplicated. A criminal deals with the aftermath of a pre-meditated, double-homicide, which he committed. The protagonist, Raskolnikov, subsequently deals with varied emotions and reactions, including justification, self-righteousness, denial and grief.

In reality, the story is *a description of mankind's struggle with his/her own sinful nature, and ultimate conversion to Christianity.

"Crime and Punishment" is also deeply philosophical. It will further develop your mind, and take your reasoning skills to the next level. You will not regret reading this novel.

*Paraphrased from notes within the book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dostoyevsky Is AWESOME, May 27, 2001

By 

Y. Adachi "Pesuto" (Imagination Land) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crime and Punishment (Signet Classics) (Paperback)

I love this book. Fyodor Dostoyevsky is an excellent writer, and his books are superb to any others. Through his style of writing, one may become submerged with this story and read it in one evening. I found this book to be very intriguing, and quite the follow-up to Dostoyevsky's THE IDIOT. I don't believe there are many books with such quality in the world today.