Certain novels mark major turning points in the history of literature, and Dostoevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment’ is one of these. An ‘angry young man’, Rodya Raskolnikov, plans and carries out a vicious murder. He regards himself as a superior person, above the Law. We share his thought processes as he plots his course of action, and shudder at the graphic details of the deed; yet somehow the author makes us care about the killer. At different stages of the novel we ask ourselves whether he is ill, or mad or just plain desperate. Dostoevsky does not allow us to judge the issues as simple black and white ones: rather, he forces us to acknowledge that there are shades of grey.

It is a stressful read: at times we plummet to the depths; but on occasions our spirits soar as we witness poignant acts of compassion and tenderness. When Raskolnikov is sentenced to imprisonment in Siberia he is followed by meek, devoted Sonia, and Dostoevsky charts his gradual regeneration under the influence of her love.

Biblical images, most notably relating to the story of Lazarus, imbue this novel with a religious significance and elevate it to the ranks of great fiction. The themes have a timeless and universal relevance. As you read it is worth looking again at the New Testament account of the raising of Lazarus, in St John’s Gospel chapter 11. Consider also the comparisons and contrasts between Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov. There are a number of marked parallels and oppositions in these characters.

Be warned – you may find yourself hooked on Russian literature…

Join in the discussion about Crime and Punishment in the Open2 Book Club