Experience Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, a cornerstone of global literature and an unabridged edition that includes an afterword by Robin Feuer Miller. This literary classic invites readers into the desperate world of Rodion Raskolnikov, a young and introspective student residing in the poverty-stricken slums of czarist St. Petersburg.
Driven by his dire circumstances, Raskolnikov becomes consumed by his belief that he can transcend moral boundaries. He embarks on a harrowing journey when he commits a murder, challenging his philosophical ideologies. Yet, rather than liberate him, this act triggers a profound existential crisis as he grapples with guilt and the weight of his conscience.
Set against the historical backdrop of 19th-century Russia, Crime and Punishment is not just a tale of crime, but an exploration of the psychological struggles associated with it. Dostoyevsky sheds light on the complex interplay between suffering, morality, and the societal constraints that define human existence. Critics have long acknowledged the depth of his narrative, with Irving Howe stating, “No other novelist has dramatized so powerfully the values and dangers, the uses and corruptions of systematized thought.”
In addition to the marvellous prose, this edition features an insightful Introduction by Leonard J. Stanton and James D. Hardy Jr. that enriches the reader’s understanding of the social and philosophical themes prevalent in the work. Readers will find that Dostoyevsky’s masterful exploration of human psychology resonates with timeless relevance.
Whether you are a first-time reader or revisiting this classic, Crime and Punishment promises a compelling literary journey. Dive into the depths of the human psyche and confront the ethical dilemmas that shape our reality.
