CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY

‘Nothing in the world is harder than speaking the truth and nothing easier than flattery.’ A psychological masterpiece that delves into the intricate complexities of morality, guilt, and redemption, Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is set in St. Petersburg, Russia, and follows the life of Rodion Raskolnikov, a destitute yet intellectually gifted student who grapples with a theory proposing that some individuals are morally justified in committing crimes for the greater good of society. As Raskolnikov tests his theory through a gruesome murder, the narrative unfolds to explore the psychological and emotional aftermath of his actions. Against the backdrop of 19th-century Russian society, Dostoevsky skillfully navigates themes of socio-economic disparities, moral dilemmas, and existential questions.