A great classic, worth the time to listen to.

First Audiobook for me. Fantastic.

This is one of the books that i have reread; i've read it three times and think it is marvelous. Listening adds another dimension to the story - the scene between Ivan and the Devil that takes place in the middle of the night has always mystified me, hearing it clarified the conversation so plainly that i wondered why i had a problem with it earlier. Personally, i think it is one of the most perfect novels i have read.

Tremendous audio book, I couldn't stop listening. The voice characterizations were perfect; you got to know each character from the voice. One of the best books I've "read," and by far the longest, but worth every second.

What a great book--a psychological thriller that is not in the least bit dated. Excellent characters make this one of my favorite books. And George Guidall adds to the experience with his flawless narration (including 20-character Russian names!). Bravo!

In the service of one of the greatest works of all time, this narration is up to the task. For those of us raised on radio drama, Dostoevsky paints the most vivid images of person, time and place. As a story of human nature and human suffering, Crime and Punishment leaves one breathless indeed. Apparently. not for listeners with Attention Deficit Disorder.

The narrator went at a painfully slow pace. So much so that it was hard to keep my attention. I had to speed up the pace of the book on my iPod, but that doesn't sound natural.

The book itself was ok, but nothing fantastic. If you're considering it, I'd strongly suggest another narrated version.

Great narrator. Excellent storyteller.

The best thing about this recording is George Guidall, the reader, but this is otherwise a very difficult novel for the 21st century reader. Dostoevsky is a gifted writer, but his style is very dense with descriptions and dialogue that seem interminable and do not advance the plot.

Speaking of plot there is none to speak of. Raskolnikov, a failed impoverished student feeling sorry for himself and powerless, decides to do something powerful like murder a usurious pawnbroker whom he and the townspeople hate. The only action in the novel is the murder and the harrowing escape from the crime scene. Then it's back to dialogue about his sister's wedding plans and other townspeople and their problems.

Then there's the philosophy. Raskolnikov murders for an idea, something he developed in one of his student papers. Murder, he says, is justified if it's committed by powerful people, like Napoleon. Why should he be denied the privilege? His anguish is whether this idea really should justify his murder. This point of philosophy is interesting but poorly developed and makes its appearance only briefly throughout the novel with no real effect.

A possible impediment to the reader is the Russian convention of naming. The protagonist's name is Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov. He is known affectionately as Rodya, to acquaintances as Rodion Romanovich, and to the writer as Raskolnikov.

A big disappointment is the relationship between Raskolnikov and the police officer, Porphiry Petrovich, who initially interrogates him. The officer very quickly tells Raskolnikov he knows he committed the crime and that eventually he will confess. At this point the novel becomes interesting and I had hoped a cat and mouse game would ensue similar to the one Peter Falk did so well in his Columbo series, but this was not to be - more long dialogue and more about his sister's suitors. Ho hum.

An epilogue ends the novel, but is simpleminded and too romantic - a good woman conquers all.

My God! How depressing! This book is based on the whims of an ego maniac an a mother, sister, friends, and strangers who are all enablers. They allows this young man to wallow and wallow and wallow in emotion and laziness to the almost destruction of everyone. What a moron! I wanted to slap this guy and say "Get a grip!" It's all about attitude. How can anybody be so emotional and such a dreamer and be surprised when they accomplish so little? What a depressing waste of time! Read Canyfreak instead. At least you'll feel good about yourself!