Selected Masterpieces of World Literature - Crime and Punishment (Upper and Lower)

Author:〔〕, translated by Xu Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: The story takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia. The protagonist, Rodion Raskolnikov, is a university student living a lonely and impoverished life in the slums. He delves into the study of criminal psychology, believing that it should be permissible for extraordinary and outstanding individuals to plunder the money of harmful people who have no purpose in life, and use it for the betterment of humanity. The result of this plan is his murder of an usurer, the old woman, and her kind sister. After the murder, he cannot escape the guilt of his conscience, and the spiritual torment drives him to develop neurosis. Touched by Sonya's innocent love and noble nature, he confesses and surrenders, is exiled to Siberia, accompanied by Sonya. Dostoevsky (1821-1881) ranks alongside Tolstoy, shining in parallel, as one of the most renowned Russian writers in the world. The publication of the work caused a sensation in society, and its unconventional plot drew fierce criticism from intellectuals.