Crime and Punishment

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky

Narrated by: Walter Zimmerman

No literary work of fiction exceeds Crime and Punishment for its evocation of the deepest essence of tragedy, pity, and terror.

Raskolnikov, a student in St. Petersburg, murders an old woman, a money-lender, to prove his theory that violence purifies the strong. But no sooner is the deed done than Raskolnikov begins to feel remorse. What follows is one of the greatest psychological studies in world literature.

Public Domain (P)1984 Jimcin Recordings

try again later

The audio of this book is horrid. I would try to find simular presentations elsewhere. The book overall is OK, very boring at times.

Crime and Punishment

I remember trying to keep my interest in tedious Russian life many, many years ago. I listened to about 5% of the book this time, some 70 years later. I became completely morose. I congratualated myself on my strength of character, but at my advanced age I decided I didn't need to "keep hitting myself on the head with a hammer," and deleted the book.
Well, one becomes wise as one ages and one doesn't have to finish a school requirement!

Better than I expected

I loved Dostoevsky's 'The Brothers Karamazov' so I wanted to read this one as well. He has such an interesting sense of humor and a great understanding of people. Even though the story takes place in a different era and part of the world, Dostoevsky makes the character's motivations and responses to everything so real and honest that I can picture all of this happening in modern day America. The narration was decent, I would definitely recommend listening to this book rather than reading it yourself, unless you are familiar with the pronunciation of Russian names.

Great Book!

One of my all time favorite books with my all time favorite reader!

Well Done

Often in reviewing a great performance, it is difficult to determine which worked best; the actual performance or the material on which the performance is based. In the case of this audio book, both the story and the reader are very well done.

Great way to experience a classic

I was intrigued by the story throughout, including the ending. Definitely is an interesting read worth exploring.

Great Book

Great book and very well read although, as I've said in other reviews, people have very different tastes in reading styles so make sure you listen to the sample before ordering.

Bad sound quality.

This particular version has bad sound quality. Choose some of the other recordings. The book itself is ingenious literary work.

Like listening to a robot

I've long wished to find time to read this famous (or, perhaps, infamous) novel, but never found the time. Here was--I thought--the perfect solution. However, the reader of this audiobook drones on as if the English language is new to him. The delivery is stilted and choppy, there is absolutely no personality involved, and the reader could be simply reciting a shopping list. Definitely disappointing.

Traded up

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

A deaf person

What did you like best about this story?

The story cannot be faulted

What didn’t you like about Walter Zimmerman’s performance?

Zimmerman's performance grew more cloying over time. I did not like the way he read the book from the beginning but I plunged on hoping his rendition would improve. It did not. I found myself downloading other books and listening to them instead. However, I found that there were other actors who read CRIME AND PUNISHMENT on Audible and now that I've gotten a version I like I have taken up listening again.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The story is compelling, the literary quality is magnificent, the character development is superb, and the plot all too human. Frankly, there is nothing to criticize in this audio book except the reading of it. In other words, the narrator's rendition.

Any additional comments?

I would like my money back on this one. I got it for one credit.