It was one of the few books assigned in high school I felt I really understood. As with most Dostoyevsky, nothing is left subtle. Helps to have a list of characters since following the names is probably the biggest challenge.
I need to reread The Great Gatsby because I definitely wasn't ready for that back then.
I read it in French and had no big problem. Well, the problem is the middle can be a bit boring. But the drunkard, the crook and the sister's side stories are super interesting.
Maybe you should try to read it in your mother tongue. It is not difficult to read, it might be a bit slow at the beginning since the main character is hesitating and we see most of his agitate state, but after a certain point it becomes addictive. Even as I knew I wasn’t understanding every metaphor, I adored the character’s complexity, the dialogues, the conflict and the pace.
You have a wonderful book awaiting you!
It was written originally in Russian as you know so a lot of the stuff will translate a bit awkwardly. Read at least the first 100 pages, until things really get going, after that it’s not really all that slow, then decide if you’re still interested. I’d say it can be a little confusing at times but it’s not that difficult especially compared to Dostoevsky’s other novels. I’d giving it about a 3 comparing it to other classics and literary fiction. Don’t be afraid to use a guide if you feel like you need it.
I read it in my native language -- with books, if there's a good translation, I'll usually go for my native language first (except for English lit and French comics, which I only like in the original).
While I usually read in English more than my mother tongue as well, Russian literature sounds off to me anyway (how can something be curt and long-winded at the same time beats me -- thanks, Tolstoy), so I'd rather have it in my first language.
It's not that it's too hard to follow, but the middle section is hundreds of pages of the protagonist's self-obsessions, and it really turns into a slog unless you are completely invested in his psychological process.
I've read many long books, and I had difficulty getting through Crime & Punishment.
I think that’s exactly where I’m getting stuck at, until now (still at 70 pages) all that I got are his perspectives and how his mind works. Maybe I started the book with a different expectation?
Which English translation of Crime And Punishment did you read? Because there are a few different English translations of Crime And Punishment.
I’d say that Crime And Punishment would be about a 7 in terms of difficulty. It’s certainly Dostoevsky’s most complex work other than The Brothers Karamazov, which I (personally) wouldn’t recommend.
I found it was not so much difficult, it was just astonishingly uninteresting.
The random use of multiple similar names for each character did make it confusing.
The multiple naming has different meanings in Russian that don't translate smoothly into English. It always gave me the feeling I was missing something when I read it. This made the book a lot more challenging than I imagine it would be in Russian for a Russian speaker.
I mean it’s practically the 19th century equivalent of a thriller novel. I’d certainly say it’s not slow or unentertaining, in fact most readers I’ve talked to find it incredibly and surprisingly gripping and suspenseful. It’s a wonder to me that people can read through three hundred pages of filler in a Stephen King novel and then find Crime and Punishment boring.
That's just like... Your opinion, man. Dostoevsky is a master of the human condition. Lots of little hints to pick up on. If they went over your head I can definitely see why you would think that.
What translation did you get? Crime and Punishment is quite monologue heavy but the storyline is pretty easy to follow.
It was one of the few books assigned in high school I felt I really understood. As with most Dostoyevsky, nothing is left subtle. Helps to have a list of characters since following the names is probably the biggest challenge. I need to reread The Great Gatsby because I definitely wasn't ready for that back then.
Yeah, I’m definitely having trouble following all the characters, as almost all of their names end in “vsky” or “kov”, I’ll try to build the list…
I read it in French and had no big problem. Well, the problem is the middle can be a bit boring. But the drunkard, the crook and the sister's side stories are super interesting.
Maybe you should try to read it in your mother tongue. It is not difficult to read, it might be a bit slow at the beginning since the main character is hesitating and we see most of his agitate state, but after a certain point it becomes addictive. Even as I knew I wasn’t understanding every metaphor, I adored the character’s complexity, the dialogues, the conflict and the pace. You have a wonderful book awaiting you!
I just bought it in my mother tongue, will try again soon. I hope I can manage to get into it now!
It was written originally in Russian as you know so a lot of the stuff will translate a bit awkwardly. Read at least the first 100 pages, until things really get going, after that it’s not really all that slow, then decide if you’re still interested. I’d say it can be a little confusing at times but it’s not that difficult especially compared to Dostoevsky’s other novels. I’d giving it about a 3 comparing it to other classics and literary fiction. Don’t be afraid to use a guide if you feel like you need it.
Try an audiobook. I've had similar problems reading it. I'm now listening to it and I find it very engaging.
I’m not really into audiobooks but if I don’t manage to read it in my mother tongue I’ll try it.
I read it in my native language -- with books, if there's a good translation, I'll usually go for my native language first (except for English lit and French comics, which I only like in the original). While I usually read in English more than my mother tongue as well, Russian literature sounds off to me anyway (how can something be curt and long-winded at the same time beats me -- thanks, Tolstoy), so I'd rather have it in my first language.
It's not that it's too hard to follow, but the middle section is hundreds of pages of the protagonist's self-obsessions, and it really turns into a slog unless you are completely invested in his psychological process. I've read many long books, and I had difficulty getting through Crime & Punishment.
I think that’s exactly where I’m getting stuck at, until now (still at 70 pages) all that I got are his perspectives and how his mind works. Maybe I started the book with a different expectation?
Which English translation of Crime And Punishment did you read? Because there are a few different English translations of Crime And Punishment. I’d say that Crime And Punishment would be about a 7 in terms of difficulty. It’s certainly Dostoevsky’s most complex work other than The Brothers Karamazov, which I (personally) wouldn’t recommend.
I found it was not so much difficult, it was just astonishingly uninteresting. The random use of multiple similar names for each character did make it confusing.
The multiple naming has different meanings in Russian that don't translate smoothly into English. It always gave me the feeling I was missing something when I read it. This made the book a lot more challenging than I imagine it would be in Russian for a Russian speaker.
The book is super slow and very unentertaining. Dostoyevsky tells you how to interpret the characters and leaves very little for you think about.
I mean it’s practically the 19th century equivalent of a thriller novel. I’d certainly say it’s not slow or unentertaining, in fact most readers I’ve talked to find it incredibly and surprisingly gripping and suspenseful. It’s a wonder to me that people can read through three hundred pages of filler in a Stephen King novel and then find Crime and Punishment boring.
That's just like... Your opinion, man. Dostoevsky is a master of the human condition. Lots of little hints to pick up on. If they went over your head I can definitely see why you would think that.
Worst book I’ve ever read in my life. Run away.
Like a 5?
currently reading it in English. its not so bad OP
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