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Crime and Punishment  By  cover art

Crime and Punishment

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Narrated by: Walter Zimmerman
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Editorial reviews

In this classic tale of sin, guilt, and redemption, Dostoevsky draws an illuminating psychological portrait of a poor St. Petersburg student who murders an older moneylender for her cash and to prove his theories about good and evil. After becoming incapacitated by remorse, he finds solace from an unlikely source. Although this is an older recording, performer Walter Zimmerman's precise elocution and dramatic voice make listening to the tale a real pleasure. This is a wonderful way to experience a colossus of literature.

Publisher's summary

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

What listeners say about Crime and Punishment

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

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.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

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!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Skip this version - pick another

The audio quality is very poor, with numerous 'ghosts' and mike popping. I couldn't listen after awhile. There must be a better version.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Bad sound quality.

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

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Crime and Punishment

Great book, but the reading sounds like it is computer generated, with no emotion and a monotony which makes it unpleasant to listen to.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book!

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

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great way to experience a classic

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

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