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
nakednames's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Addiction, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Classism, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Cursing, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Stalking, Antisemitism, Child abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Fire/Fire injury, and Forced institutionalization
the grief is never ending but so is the loveseforana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, and Murder
mlewis'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
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Terminal illness, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Xenophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
imrath's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide attempt, Murder, Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Animal death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Antisemitism, and Rape
cookie_khumalo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Murder, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Antisemitism
glass123banan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Grief, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Suicide, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
francesca_eli'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, and Suicide
Minor: Antisemitism
hedvigcallmer's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Murder, Pedophilia, Blood, Animal death, Death, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, Grief, Mental illness, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Toxic friendship
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