Well, I did it. After approximately 1-2 months of on and off again reading, I finally finished the magnum opus that is ’’Crime and Punishment’’. Overall I found the book fascinating and more detailed than any other book I’ve read. I think this is what left me most disappointed. After so many plot elements twisting and characters faltering, the ending seemed somewhat unfulfilling. Seeing as I don’t wish to spoil the ending for anyone, I’ll leave most of my criticism unsaid.
Dostoevsky has created a book solid in social criticism and quite heavy in the psychological aspect of the human condition. Raskolnikov is a socially distant character fed up with the world of immorality he sees developing around him. His family sees him as their only hope and those around him love him to death, while Raskolnikov takes all of these envious gestures as ’’plagues acquired from Asia’’. After committing his crime, Raskolnikov is forced to live in cowardice and fear. It is in this state of distress that Raskolnikov realizes he needs love and compassion as much as anybody. Unfortunately it takes him a couple murders and many many peoples shambled lives to find this out.
Considering this is a classic and should be read by anybody remotely interested in literature, I’ll not say anymore.