Many of his other early works, from the slight and sentimental ‘White Nights’ to the overblown gothic, psycho-sexual drama ‘The Landlady’, fared little better, and even today such texts often meet with sceptical responses. But the novella The Double, published barely six weeks later, was met with blank incomprehension, ridicule, and barely veiled accusations of plagiarism. His first original work, the novel in letters Poor Folk, was lauded by critics and read avidly by an educated public eager for new voices when it appeared in 1846. The story of his career marks one of the most dramatic falls from grace in literary history. Summary by Wikipedia (edited by Expatriate)įor further information, including links to online text, reader information, RSS feeds, CD cover or other formats (if available), please go to the LibriVox catalog page for this recording.įor more free audio books or to become a volunteer reader, visit the serial publication of Crime and Punishment in the prominent literary journal The Russian Messenger in 1866, the reception of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s works, and his reputation as a writer, had been somewhat mixed. Much of it is also moral, as the question of whether or not Raskolnikov himself can find redemption as a human being leads to a surprising culmination. Much of the suspense of the novel is psychological, as the reader agonizes over Raskolnikov's efforts to evade justice for his crime. Several times throughout the novel, Raskolnikov justifies his actions by comparing himself with Napoleon Bonaparte, believing that murder is permissible in pursuit of a higher purpose.

He also commits this murder to test his own hypothesis that some people are naturally capable of such things, and even have the right to do them. Raskolnikov argues that with the pawnbroker's money he can perform good deeds to counterbalance the crime, while ridding the world of a worthless vermin.

Petersburg who formulates and executes a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her cash. 'Crime and Punishment' focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student in St. Crime and Punishment is considered the first great novel of his 'mature' period of writing. It is the second of Dostoyevsky's full-length novels following his return from ten years of exile in Siberia. It was later published in a single volume. It was first published in the literary journal 'The Russian Messenger' in twelve monthly installments during 1866. 'Crime and Punishment' is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. LibriVox recording of Crime and Punishment (version 2) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

Crime and punishment 1866