toffishay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Raskolnikov's descent is described in such a gripping way and although it is certainly commentary on the times that Dostoyevsky was writing in, I saw a lot of parallels to today. Raskolnikov is an angry young man who thinks he's so much better than everyone else and so much smarter. He thinks that he has a right to his crime and to the purpose that he thinks it will give him. He is living in a world of desolation and personal despair and lashes out at everyone around him. I couldn't help but think that with Raskolnikov's disdain for human life and desire to be better than those around him, that he would have been a mass shooter if he lived today. Seeking that notoriety and committing horrible acts in the process.
There is also very well-written commentary about relationships between men and women. There are women trapped in horrible relationships with men who continue to treat them badly and bring them low. (Katerina) Women are pushed into making difficult choices, that honestly aren't even choices, as a result of their poverty and their love of their families (Sofya). Women do everything they can to support the men in their lives and are given little to nothing in return (Dunya and Pulkheria). And all of the women in the novel are at the whim and will of men, but the novel is extremely sympathetic to them and is, primarily, on their side.
Vanity and pride are themes that are shown through many of the characters. Vanity is a driver of Raskolnikov's crime. It drives Katerina to embarrass herself publicly, putting herself in a worse physical and financial situation at every turn. Porfriy, the inspector, is driven by pride, at least in part, to find the perpetrator of the titular crime.
I was surprised by how much love and hope were themes of the book. It definitely addressed crime and punishment, depravity and isolation. But there are instances where people are saved by the love of those around them. Like, I closed the book and felt a little like there is hope even when you are at your lowest. That it is never too late to look yourself honestly in the face and commit to change.
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Death, Sexism, Misogyny, Murder, Classism, Alcoholism, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Confinement, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Xenophobia, Gore, War, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Antisemitism, Pedophilia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Vomit, and Infidelity
marsmartis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Mental illness, Suicide, Murder, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, and Blood
rosarium_rechten's review against another edition
1.0
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Death
madinhoa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Body horror, Bullying, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Murder, Suicide attempt, Violence, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Chronic illness, Sexual assault, Cultural appropriation, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, and Religious bigotry
jensjenna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Death, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
emilyjulia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I like the premise of the book but it's just so. dragged. out.
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Antisemitism
francescazksxmc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Violence, Death, Gore, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
sunlandic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Pedophilia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Antisemitism, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Classism, and Confinement
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, and Xenophobia
mme_carton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Antisemitism, Child abuse, Murder, Suicide attempt, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, Gore, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Infidelity
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Racism, and Slavery
sunny_not's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Spoiler
all is resolved with the power of love? What was that? Also the misogyny was quite awful especially during the part before the confession sceneGraphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Gore, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Violence