A Day with a Book

Book Stats: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, published in the year 1866.

Today I had some free time on hand, so I decided to return the previously borrowed book from the library as the date of return was closing by. Cycling to the library while enjoying the cool breeze and silent street, it was still early in the day. The library only had the librarian who was sorting out the books. Returning the book I asked for a recommendation on a deep moralistic novel, the librarian gave me a smile and pushed a book towards me. Taking it I sat by the window in the library and started reading. It is Russian language, though I am not proficient in this language, I know enough to get by. So I started reading it took me quiet sometime but here's my opinion on it.

It is deep. The protagonist; Rodion Raskolnikov is an impoverished per-student, this story delves into the psyche of this protagonist and explores the themes of guilt, redemption and the nature of evil.

It begins with protagonist's planning and then the murder of an unscrupulous pawnbroker and her sister. With the deed done he experiences guilt and inner turmoil. He struggles to come to terms with his actions and attempts to rationalise them through his philosophy ot the extraordinary man; according to which an extraordinary man is a man who is above conventional morality and societal norms. But his efforts of justifying his actions doesn't lessen his guilt and internal battle and as the story progresses it becomes increasingly unbearable to the point that he can't cope with hiding it, leading him to seek confession and redemption.

The author brilliantly delves into the darkness of the human being, examining the consequences of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of power. Also challenging the idea that the ends justify the means. With the writing style and narrative structure of the story the reader gains insight into the complexity of the human mind. Reading the internal battles that Raskolnikov is going through the readers thoughts are provoked leading to the questions about boundaries of morality and the nature of evil. The human nature is also put into light here as the author unravels the complex exploration of human experience.

The author uses a densely packed and introspective writing style, utilizing long complex sentences to convey the inner battle that the protagonist is going through. There is a sense of urgency and intensity as the author vividly describes the emotional state of the protagonist and oppressive atmosphere of 19th century St.Petersburg. Dostoevsky's prose are often heavy and dense reflecting the weight of the ethical and psychological burdens that the characters carry. So it can be said that the author's writing style in this story is characterized by its deeply introspective and philosophical nature, as well as its intense and emotionally charged portrayal of the inner lives of its characters.

Overall, I would say that Dostoevsky's masterful character development and accurate reaction and human behaviour portrayed in this story makes it an interesting and thought provoking read.

No wonder the librarian suggested this book it must be marked as a famous and timeless literary work. Putting the book back in place I gave the librarian a smile and waved goodbye before cycling back home. My mom has woken up and she was asking me to head back.

So if you have time and want to read a good, realistic, deep novel give it a go. There is also english versions of this novel so go ahead and read it. Have you read this novel before?