Crime and Punishment (The Unabridged Garnett Translation)

Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is a literary masterpiece that delves deeply into the human psyche, exploring themes of morality, guilt, and redemption. Set in 19th-century St. Petersburg, this novel is as much a philosophical inquiry as it is a gripping narrative. The story follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a poverty-stricken former student, who commits a heinous crime under the belief that he is justified in doing so for the greater good. His journey through the moral repercussions of his actions is both harrowing and enlightening. Dostoevsky’s portrayal of Raskolnikov’s inner turmoil is masterful, drawing readers into his complex thought processes and conflicting emotions. The psychological depth of the protagonist makes him both relatable and infuriating, a character who evokes empathy even as he wrestles with his moral failures.

When you climb inside the minds of these people, good luck climbing back out. You will find a piece of yourself in every character, you will feel every moment, and you will need to learn about 435 new words. Hail Sithis, May Shadow Hide You

This is a classic for a reason. The depth of the characters is engaging and the story doesn't deviate from the main plot. The main point that Dostoevsky seems to make is that, regardless of your belief system, there are some immutable laws which cannot be broken except with intense internal suffering and conflict. Of course, if you persist in breaking those eternal laws, you eventually become desensitized to that internal conflict.