This book is great. Dostoyevsky presents an intense, sometimes overwhelming, narrative with gigantic emotions and important questions. It's a book everyone should read and then think about, without having to write a lame school book report or essay.

The only thing I don't like about the book is the ending. Sure, the idea is that even anyone as misguided as Raskolnikov can be redeemed, but it didn't follow for me at all. I guess the ultimate conclusion that faith can change anyone and redemption is only an epiphany away is sort of nice, but I didn't buy it. Seemed too little too late to me.

Overall, though, an absolutely wonderful book.

Genius. Love it love it love it. Draws you in and never lets you go. Not bad for being written about 150 years ago.

Overwhelmingly masculine. Regretably, the intensity stopped being one I could fully tap into after the murder. That doesn't stop this being impressive; it just meant I was washed out for much of it. I ... hmm. I kind of feel I'm not doing this justice: I did enjoy it. And Lizaveta broke my heart - the way she held her hands out made me want to implode. It was good, I promise, I promise.

People may groan whenever they hear this title, but I actually really liked this book. That surprised me.

I wanted to like it. I really, really did. Overall, it wasn't that bad. It was interesting in some spots, particularly when we were given the chance to analyze and draw parallels. It was so cool the way the author was able to have different characters represent each side of Raskolnikov, as well as have two sides of their own. I liked this a lot.

Parts of it were unintentionally funny, too. "Raskolnikov is ridin' dirty. He's like, 'I'm a student, yo. I'll murder whoever I want. Don't bring me down, man!'"

But for every really cool part (Dounia trying to shoot Svidrigailov, the murder scene itself, the funeral dinner scene, etc.), there were about five pages in which a character would ramble on and on about nothing with NO paragraph breaks. So annoying. And as hard as I may try, I cannot forget those first 40 horrible pages and the anger they created in me. If it weren't for this, I'd give the book a higher rating.

I just read the first three chapters--39 pages. Oh. My. God. 13 pages of a guy in a bar bitching about his life. 11 pages of a letter from the main character's mom.

It's like pulling teeth.

Have tried to read this book about 10 times, get about 150 pages in, and abandon it. It's on the shelf to be read (again).

Overwhelmingly masculine. Regretably, the intensity stopped being one I could fully tap into after the murder. That doesn't stop this being impressive; it just meant I was washed out for much of it. I ... hmm. I kind of feel I'm not doing this justice: I did enjoy it. And Lizaveta broke my heart - the way she held her hands out made me want to implode. It was good, I promise, I promise.