Crime and Punishment is Fyodor Dostoevsky’s towering novel of morality, guilt, and redemption. First published in 1866, this psychological masterpiece follows Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student in St. Petersburg who believes he is morally justified in murdering a corrupt pawnbroker. What begins as a cold, rational act soon plunges Raskolnikov into a spiral of psychological torment, paranoia, and alienation. As he struggles to reconcile his actions with his conscience, he encounters a cast of unforgettable characters—including the pure-hearted Sonia—who lead him toward a final reckoning. Widely regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written, Crime and Punishment explores themes of justice, free will, suffering, and the duality of human nature. A cornerstone of Russian literature and philosophical fiction, it remains as powerful and provocative today as when it was first published.
