Crime and Punishment

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read

Step into the fog-shrouded streets of St. Petersburg, where desperation and philosophy collide in one of literature’s most profound psychological thrillers. Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s masterwork follows Raskolnikov, a brilliant but impoverished former student who commits an act of violence he believes will prove his extraordinary nature—that he stands above conventional morality, like Napoleon himself.

But genius and guilt make uneasy companions. As a cunning police investigator circles closer and Raskolnikov’s own conscience becomes his most relentless pursuer, this gripping narrative transforms into something far more complex than a simple crime story. It becomes a searing exploration of redemption, suffering, and what it truly means to be human.

Enter Sonya, a young woman forced into prostitution by poverty, whose quiet faith offers the only path toward salvation. Their relationship forms the moral heart of this unforgettable novel, proving that grace can emerge from the most unexpected places.

This edition features David McDuff’s acclaimed translation, praised for capturing the raw force and naturalism of Dostoyevsky’s dialogue in a way that feels immediate and accessible to modern readers. Complete with a comprehensive chronology of the author’s life and work, it’s the perfect introduction to a novel that has captivated readers for over 150 years.

Whether you’re discovering Dostoyevsky for the first time or returning to this towering classic, Crime and Punishment remains as urgent and unsettling as the day it was written—a book that doesn’t just tell a story, but asks the questions that define us.

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