Really great stuff. I think Raskolnikov is one of Dostoevsky's most relatable characters. Very well rounded novel. ( )

Raskolnikov is a young law student with a theory: that there are certain, extraordinary men alive who can bypass both moral codes and human laws in favor of the greater good. To prove himself an extraordinary man, an ubermensch, Raskolnikov plans to test his theory by committing the ultimate transgression: murder.
Spoiler alert: he is in fact not an extraordinary man. He is a quite, quite normal man. Who has now committed homicide and is on the run from the cops.
The great thing about this whodunit is that you already KNOW whodunit! This fact makes this 500 page Russian classic even more interesting. As Raskolnikov breaks down, trying to hide his crime from his friends, family, and the detective in charge of the case, you get a fascinating glimpse into the human psyche in times of distress. Half of Raskolnikov desperately wants to confess. The other would prefer to take his guilt to the grave.
In my opinion, as much as I love Raskolnikov, the best part of this book are the side characters, each of whom represents a portion of Raskolnikov's mental state. There's the devout Sonia, the charismatic Razumikhin, the hedonistic Svidrigailov, the determined Porfiry ( )

One of my favorite Russian novels. ( )

Die Russen zijn toch rare mannen. ( )

Excellent book! I read the translation by Constance Garnett and am told that hers is one of the best.

While the murder and the immediate fallout was pretty horrific and a bit distressing to read, I came to care about what would happen to Raskolnikov a great deal as it went on and was amazed at how the love of his friends and family worked toward his redemption.

The most ironic part, to me, was that although Raskolnikov was upset that he hadn't proven himself to be one of the "great men" who were supposedly above morality, his very conscience proved him to be a great man in ways that he couldn't comprehend until the very end. Probably the main thing that bugged me about this, though, was how his whole experience was only truly wrapped up in the last three pages or so. It felt very sudden.

Gotta love Razumihin. ( )