Crime and Punishment

About this book

Crime and Punishment By Fyodor Dostoyevsky Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' (first published in 1866) is considered the first great novel of his "mature" period of writing. It focuses on the mental anguish and dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, a poor ex-student in Saint Petersburg who conjures up a plan to kill a pawnbroker for her cash. He theorises that some people are naturally capable of murder, and even have the right to murder. Raskolnikov compares himself with Napoleon Bonaparte and shares his belief that murder is permissible in pursuit of a higher purpose.

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