Crime and Punishment

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Constance Garnett - translator

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

Length: 20 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

In this intense detective thriller instilled with philosophical, religious, and social commentary, Dostoevsky studies the psychological impact upon a desperate and impoverished student when he murders a despicable pawnbroker, transgressing moral law to ultimately "benefit humanity".

©1866 Public Domain (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

A masterful narration to Doestoevsky’s genius

Doestoevsky is one of the best writers —the complexity of his characters, their internal dialogues and motivations are paralleled to the complexity of the human experience itself. That is precisely why he is not easy to read; he is too detailed, too elaborate and sometimes it is inevitable to get lost in his storytelling. Yet, the narrator of this Edition does an amazing job setting the right tone for the story. I was immediately captured by the way he voiced the conversations and internal diatribes; even the letters. I couldn’t recommend this title enough!

Wonderful reading, disturbing book

I didn't realize Anthony Heald was such a brilliant audiobook reader; now that I know, I'll be on the lookout for more titles from him in the future. He takes what I had always thought was a fairly stodgy translation and makes it jump off the page (or in my case, out of the iPod). It's a breathless performance, all the characters clearly differentiated, the narration moving forward rapidly, the novel closing in on the climax of the story with almost unbearable tension. There are at least three hearty laughers in this novel, and in Heald's reading we can tell them all apart instantly.

In this case the tension is moral rather than physical. It's a murder mystery of sorts, but one where we see (and FEEL) the crime being committed: Dostoevsky and Heald put us inside Raskolnikov's mind before, during, and after the double murder at the center of the plot. In this case the problem that drives the story isn't whether the police will catch the killer -- although the novel features a clever and persistent detective worthy of the best of the genre -- but whether the killer can be brought to a point where he has the moral courage to confess.

It's a disturbing book, not because of Raskolnikov's minutely-described act of violence, but because of Dostoevsky's pitiless, unblinking gaze at poverty. I can't remember the last time a description of hunger and hopelessness had such a visceral effect on me. I kept wanting to grab Raskolnikov by the collar and scream "EAT SOMETHING!!"

First rate on all counts. Highly recommended.

Brilliant Reader

Anthony Heald did not so much read this book, as inhabit and bring to life each character as a distinct individual. It is an amazing performance.

Narrator is FANTASTIC

Narrator sounds like he has memorized the book and is acting it aloud. I cannot express enough how great he was. I would recommend looking up the names of the characters, not only do many of the names sound similar but some of them have a few nicknames and that got very confusing.

this is an AUDIOBOOK

Anthony Heald is amazing and this book was Great! this is why audiobooks are a thing.

This classic comes alive

Who knew that this book, this recording would make that novel I was forced to read in college become the first one I would review? I listen to books all the time but this production led me to discover my new favorite novel of all time. I now wish my Russian were stronger and I could read the original with the inflection and drama I found here.

Heald's Delivery is Mesmerizing!

A GREAT novel deserves a GREAT interpreter and Anthony Heald's interpretation of Crime & Punishment is nothing short of fantastic. He successfully captures the mood and intent of the work leaving nothing out. A brilliant performance!!!

Bravo Anthony Heald!!!

The narrator was amazing! Brought life to the characters. Intense and insightful, interesting to learn of lifestyles of that period. Best narrative performance I’ve heard- ever. Bravo!

Narrator is amazing!

Narrator's performance was really good. Brought me to tears. Great job! Thank you for this!

Great book brought to life by great reader

Anthony Heald deserves the Audio Book version of an Oscar for his reading of this book. It is a tour de force - every word infused with emotion and meaning.

I long feared I would never slog through the great Russian Novels....yet this one breezes by with total ease - thanks to the amazing material and Heald's committed narration.

This performance will be impossible to beat. I only hope that Heald can be convinced to do the audio for more of the great Russian Novels. He seems the go-to guy for Star Wars Novels....

Highly recommended!