Having recently started reading b o o k s fo r t h e“ l i n g u i s t i c ornateness” rather than the story, reading a translated work seemed i n a p p r o p r i a t e. B u t t h e m a t u r e realization, that you can never learn all languages, and to miss out on good works merely because of its translated tag seems ridiculous, �nally dawned on me and I began this book.
�e book is universally regarded as a masterpiece, and I have no different o p i n i o n to o ffe r o n t h e m a t t e r. Dostoevsky created this book more as a treatise on the human condition, and the frailties of the human rationality( and as a critic for the nihilistic-leaning ideologies that erupted then) than for its story. �e book has strong philosophical undertones, but owing to the fact that they are representative of the schools of thought( and their public perception) in the 19th century, makes it less relevant for today’ s reader. However, the central theme is very relatable, especially for a college youth( the main lead being one) who is on the brink of being exposed to the various philosophical questions that trouble any intellectual thinking along those lines. Whether crime can be judged in regards to its utilitarian value, allowing great men to bypass law in order to achieve the greater good? Whether morals are any real construct; or just a �gment of society’ s attempt to cater to t h e c o m m o n m a s s e s; n o t b e i n g applicable to the chosen? Is it possible to reach a rational conclusion as to where to draw the line, despite the very rules of the situation being irrational? Are all humans eternally doomed to be con�ned by the limitations of their rationality? �e famous trolley problem seems to be a child in comparison to what this book alludes to.
In contrast to the caveat-ed ful�llment of its philosophical tag, it is unequivocally a great psychological novel. �e character s k e t c h e s a r e s o b e a u t i f u l l y constr ucted and implemented, that I n e v e r f a i l e d t o marvel at the fact, that every time a c h a r a c t e r d i d s o m e t h i n g, something as trivial a s a n o r m a l conversation, it felt in line with what one with such a mind would do. You can draw parallels of the characters in real life, a testimony to D o s to e v s k y’ s understanding of the human condition. �e story also holds merit independent from its philosophical and psychological intricacies. It is a thriller at its core, the suspense of the future events is strong enough to bind even the most impatient of the readers( I being one) till completion. �ere are twists, there are unexpected deviances from what one would predict. All the while, the psychological ambiguity adds to the buildup.
Warning: �e book is long, and requires patience. �ere are boring sections too. Seemingly unnecessary side-plots and background development. Although I was inclined to believe that they are necessary for the overall feel, it still did not allay the forceful draggingthrough I had to do at times. �e translation makes the �ow of the language, unnatural and difficult, in a sense. But such parts are rare, and the overall language is good enough to at least not let the reader miss anything.
Satwik Pasani 3136, Batch 2014
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT- Fyodor Dostoevsky( Translated by: Pevear and Volokhonsky)