Title and Author of the Book: Crime and Punishment is a novel about Rodion Raskolnikov, a used-to-be student reduced to poverty who plans to murder a money-loaning old woman. Most of the novel deals with his emotional turmoil at committing the crime, as well as the societal and economic problems of 19th century St. Petersburg.

Plot Overview and Critique: This book is more of a psychological analysis, driven by character more than plot. This isn’t for everyone, I understand, but it’s something I really like. The novel reads pretty easily, too, for something written almost 2 centuries ago. There really is no bad guy in this story. All the characters are presented as morally grey, either as victims or flawed individuals. It also dives into a lot of existentialist philosophy involving morality and meaning. Raskolnikov himself is an existentialist hero, questioning every moral law he knows. The true debate is between empathy and reason, which, in Dostoyevsky‘ eyes, is always won by empathy. The cover is not really interesting, just the main character in some sort of dimly lit room. Though the novel certainly invokes the feeling of this environment. It’s not very interesting, but reflects the feeling of the novel well.

Audience Appeal: It’s certainly not for everyone, but it brings up a lot of interesting questions.

Star Rating: I’d give this novel 4/5.