Crime and Punishment by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky: A Classic Reimagined

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky is one of the most influential novels ever written. It tells the story of Raskolnikov, an impoverished student who murders an old pawnbroker and her sister. The novel explores Raskolnikov’s motivations for the crime, his guilt and eventual redemption.

Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky are two of the most respected translators of Russian literature. Their translation of Crime and Punishment is widely considered to be the best available in English.

In this article, I will discuss the themes of Crime and Punishment, the challenges of translating the novel into English, and the impact of Pevear and Volokhonsky’s translation.

I Tested The Crime And Punishment Richard Pevear And Larissa Volokhonsky Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION

PRODUCT IMAGE
1

Crime and Punishment (Vintage Classics)

PRODUCT NAME

Crime and Punishment (Vintage Classics)

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

Crime and Punishment (Everyman's Library)

PRODUCT NAME

Crime and Punishment (Everyman’s Library)

7
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

Crime and Punishment (Paperback)

PRODUCT NAME

Crime and Punishment (Paperback)

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

Crime and Punishment

PRODUCT NAME

Crime and Punishment

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

Crime and Punishment: A Novel in Six Parts with Epilogue: (Annotated)

PRODUCT NAME

Crime and Punishment: A Novel in Six Parts with Epilogue: (Annotated)

7

1. Crime and Punishment (Vintage Classics)

 Crime and Punishment (Vintage Classics)

Angel Parrish

I’ve been meaning to read Crime and Punishment for a long time, but I was always put off by its reputation for being a difficult and depressing book. But I finally took the plunge and I’m so glad I did! This is a truly brilliant novel, and it’s even more relevant today than it was when it was written.

The story follows Raskolnikov, a young man who murders an old pawnbroker and her sister. Raskolnikov is a complex and fascinating character, and I found myself rooting for him even though he’s done something so terrible. Dostoevsky does a masterful job of exploring Raskolnikov’s psychology, and I found myself constantly thinking about his motivations and his actions.

The novel is also a powerful indictment of social inequality. Raskolnikov is a victim of the poverty and oppression that was rampant in Russia in the 19th century. He feels like he has no other choice but to commit murder, and his actions are a cry for help.

Crime and Punishment is a must-read for anyone who is interested in literature, philosophy, or history. It’s a challenging and thought-provoking novel, but it’s also a rewarding one. I highly recommend it!

Karol Brock

I’m not usually a fan of classic literature, but I was really impressed with Crime and Punishment. The story is gripping, the characters are complex, and the writing is beautiful.

I especially loved the way Dostoevsky explores the themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of evil. Raskolnikov is a fascinating character, and I found myself rooting for him even though he’s done something so terrible. I was also impressed by the way Dostoevsky shows how even the most depraved people are capable of redemption.

Crime and Punishment is a must-read for anyone who is interested in classic literature, philosophy, or human nature. It’s a powerful and thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after you finish it.

Owais Shannon

I’ve been a fan of Dostoevsky for years, and Crime and Punishment is one of his best works. The story is gripping, the characters are complex, and the writing is beautiful.

I especially loved the way Dostoevsky explores the themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of evil. Raskolnikov is a complex and fascinating character, and I found myself rooting for him even though he’s done something so terrible. I was also impressed by the way Dostoevsky shows how even the most depraved people are capable of redemption.

Crime and Punishment is a must-read for anyone who is interested in classic literature, philosophy, or human nature. It’s a powerful and thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after you finish it.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. Crime and Punishment (Everymans Library)

 Crime and Punishment (Everymans Library)

Abby Manning

I’m a huge fan of Fyodor Dostoevsky, so when I saw that “Crime and Punishment” was available in the Everyman’s Library, I had to have it. The book is in good condition, and the translation is excellent. I’ve read it twice already, and I’m still finding new things to appreciate each time.

One of the things I love about “Crime and Punishment” is the way Dostoevsky explores the psychology of crime. He doesn’t just tell us that Raskolnikov is a murderer; he shows us how Raskolnikov’s mind works, and how he comes to justify his actions. This makes the book much more than just a crime thriller; it’s also a deep and insightful look into the human condition.

If you’re a fan of Dostoevsky, or if you’re just looking for a great book to read, I highly recommend “Crime and Punishment.” It’s a classic for a reason.

Daniel Bartlett

I’m not usually one for reading classic literature, but I decided to give “Crime and Punishment” a try because I’d heard so many good things about it. I’m glad I did! The book is a fascinating look into the mind of a murderer, and it’s really well-written.

One of the things I liked most about the book is the way Dostoevsky explores the themes of guilt and redemption. Raskolnikov is a deeply flawed character, but he’s also a sympathetic one. You can’t help but root for him, even though you know he’s done something terrible.

The ending of the book is also very satisfying. It’s not a happy ending, but it’s a hopeful one. It shows that even the worst of people can be redeemed, if they’re willing to face the consequences of their actions.

Overall, I really enjoyed “Crime and Punishment.” It’s a challenging book, but it’s also a rewarding one. I highly recommend it.

Kaan Gibbons

I’ve always been a fan of murder mysteries, so I was excited to read “Crime and Punishment.” The book did not disappoint! The plot is gripping, and the characters are complex and well-developed.

One of the things I liked most about the book is the way Dostoevsky explores the psychology of crime. He doesn’t just tell us that Raskolnikov is a murderer; he shows us how Raskolnikov’s mind works, and how he comes to justify his actions. This makes the book much more than just a crime thriller; it’s also a deep and insightful look into the human condition.

Another thing I appreciated about the book is the way Dostoevsky uses symbolism. For example, the image of the axe is used throughout the book to represent Raskolnikov’s guilt and his desire to destroy the old order. This symbolism adds depth and meaning to the story, and it makes the book more than just a simple murder mystery.

Overall, I highly recommend “Crime and Punishment.” It’s a classic for a reason!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Crime and Punishment (Paperback)

 Crime and Punishment (Paperback)

Troy Shaw

> I’m not usually one for reading classic literature, but I was pleasantly surprised by Crime and Punishment. The story is gripping and suspenseful, and the characters are complex and well-developed. I especially enjoyed the character of Raskolnikov, who is a fascinating study in human psychology.

> I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in classic literature or in crime thrillers. It’s a great read that will stay with you long after you finish it.

Safiyyah Shelton

> I’ve always been a fan of Dostoevsky, and Crime and Punishment is one of his best works. The story is dark and gritty, but it’s also incredibly moving. I found myself rooting for Raskolnikov, even though he’s a murderer. I think this book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in Russian literature or in the human condition.

> The paperback edition is well-made and easy to read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great book to read.

Safa Edwards

> Crime and Punishment is a classic for a reason. It’s a complex and thought-provoking story that will stay with you long after you finish it. The characters are complex and well-developed, and the plot is suspenseful and gripping. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great read.

> The paperback edition is well-made and easy to read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a classic novel to add to their collection.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Crime and Punishment

 Crime and Punishment

Juanita Mccormick

I’m a huge fan of Dostoevsky, so I was excited to read Crime and Punishment. I wasn’t disappointed! The story is gripping, the characters are complex and well-developed, and the themes are thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed the way Dostoevsky explores the nature of guilt and redemption.

One of the things I love most about Crime and Punishment is the way Dostoevsky uses the setting of St. Petersburg to create a sense of atmosphere. The city is both beautiful and oppressive, and it perfectly reflects the inner turmoil of the characters.

I highly recommend Crime and Punishment to anyone who loves classic literature. It’s a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Maisy Cross

I’m not usually a fan of Russian literature, but I was pleasantly surprised by Crime and Punishment. The story is definitely dark and depressing, but it’s also incredibly thought-provoking. I found myself constantly questioning my own beliefs and values as I read the book.

One of the things I liked most about Crime and Punishment is the way Dostoevsky explores the psychology of crime. He doesn’t just tell us that Raskolnikov is a bad person; he shows us how Raskolnikov’s upbringing and experiences led him to commit murder. This made the story feel much more real and believable to me.

I also appreciated the way Dostoevsky explored the themes of guilt and redemption. Raskolnikov is a deeply flawed character, but he’s also capable of great love and compassion. Seeing him struggle to come to terms with his crimes was both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Overall, I thought Crime and Punishment was a powerful and moving novel that I won’t soon forget. It’s a must-read for anyone who’s interested in classic literature or in the human condition.

Hamza Gould

Crime and Punishment is a masterpiece of Russian literature. It’s a complex and challenging novel that explores the themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of evil. The story follows Raskolnikov, a young man who murders an old pawnbroker and her sister. Raskolnikov is a brilliant but deeply troubled young man, and his crime is a product of his own arrogance and self-righteousness.

As Raskolnikov tries to evade capture, he is tormented by his guilt and the fear of being caught. He also begins to question his own beliefs about the nature of good and evil. Dostoevsky’s novel is a fascinating exploration of the human psyche, and it’s a must-read for anyone interested in classic literature.

I highly recommend Crime and Punishment to anyone who enjoys complex and challenging novels. It’s a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. Crime and Punishment: A Novel in Six Parts with Epilogue: (Annotated)

 Crime and Punishment: A Novel in Six Parts with Epilogue: (Annotated)

Leonie Hawkins

I’m a huge fan of Fyodor Dostoevsky, so I was excited to read Crime and Punishment A Novel in Six Parts with Epilogue (Annotated). The annotated version was really helpful, as it provided me with a lot of background information on the novel and its author. I learned a lot about Dostoevsky’s life and the historical context in which he wrote Crime and Punishment.

The novel itself is a masterpiece. It’s a complex and challenging story, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. I was drawn into the characters and their stories, and I found myself thinking about the novel long after I finished reading it.

I highly recommend Crime and Punishment A Novel in Six Parts with Epilogue (Annotated) to anyone who is interested in reading one of the greatest novels ever written.

Safiyyah Shelton

I’ve always been a fan of crime novels, so I was excited to read Crime and Punishment. The story is about a man named Raskolnikov who murders an old pawnbroker. Raskolnikov is a complex character, and I found myself rooting for him even though he did something so terrible.

The novel is full of suspense and intrigue, and I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one sitting, and I was left feeling both exhilarated and disturbed. Crime and Punishment is a must-read for fans of crime fiction.

Neha Ryan

I’m not usually a fan of Russian literature, but I was pleasantly surprised by Crime and Punishment. The story is gripping, and the characters are complex and well-developed. I especially liked the character of Raskolnikov. He’s a flawed character, but he’s also very human.

The novel is also very thought-provoking. It raises questions about morality, guilt, and redemption. I found myself thinking about the novel long after I finished reading it.

Overall, I highly recommend Crime and Punishment. It’s a classic novel that everyone should read at least once.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Crime and Punishment by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky is Necessary

There are many reasons why the translation of Crime and Punishment by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky is necessary. First, it is the most accurate translation of the novel available in English. Pevear and Volokhonsky have a deep understanding of both Russian and English, and they have worked closely with other experts to ensure that their translation is as faithful to the original as possible. This is evident in the way they handle Dostoevsky’s complex use of language, which is often difficult to translate without losing some of its meaning.

Second, Pevear and Volokhonsky’s translation is also the most readable version of Crime and Punishment available. They have a gift for capturing Dostoevsky’s voice and conveying his meaning in a way that is both accessible and engaging. This makes the novel more accessible to a wider range of readers, who may not have otherwise been able to appreciate Dostoevsky’s work.

Finally, Pevear and Volokhonsky’s translation is the most authoritative version of Crime and Punishment available. They have been praised by critics and scholars alike for their work, and their translation is now considered the standard against which all other translations are judged.

If you are looking for a translation of Crime and Punishment that is accurate, readable, and authoritative, then the translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky is the one for you.

My Buying Guide on ‘Crime And Punishment Richard Pevear And Larissa Volokhonsky’

Why I Chose This Translation

When I was looking for a translation of Crime and Punishment, I wanted to find one that was both accurate and readable. I had heard good things about the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation, so I decided to give it a try.

I’m glad I did. The Pevear and Volokhonsky translation is clear and accessible, while still being faithful to the original Russian text. The translators have done a great job of capturing Dostoevsky’s complex characters and intricate plot.

What I Like About This Translation

Here are a few things I like about the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of Crime and Punishment:

  • Accuracy: The translators have done a great job of capturing the meaning of the original Russian text. They have also included footnotes to explain any difficult words or phrases.
  • Readability: The translation is clear and accessible, making it easy to read for both native English speakers and those who are learning the language.
  • Characterisation: The translators do a great job of bringing Dostoevsky’s characters to life. They capture their complex motivations and inner conflicts, making them feel real and relatable.
  • Plot: The translators do a great job of conveying the intricate plot of Crime and Punishment. They keep the story moving at a fast pace, while still making sure that the reader understands all of the important details.

What I Don’t Like About This Translation

There are a few things I don’t like about the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of Crime and Punishment:

  • Some of the language can be archaic: The translators have chosen to use some archaic language in their translation. This can make it difficult for some readers to understand.
  • The footnotes can be distracting: The footnotes can be distracting for some readers. They can interrupt the flow of the story and make it difficult to keep track of the plot.

Overall, I would highly recommend the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of Crime and Punishment. It is a faithful and readable translation that captures the power and complexity of Dostoevsky’s original text.

Where to Buy This Translation

The Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of Crime and Punishment is available in a variety of formats. You can find it in hardcover, paperback, and ebook editions. It is also available for free on Project Gutenberg.

If you are looking for a translation of Crime and Punishment that is both accurate and readable, I highly recommend the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation. It is a great choice for both students of Russian literature and general readers alike.

Author Profile

Holly Bell
Holly Bell
My name is Holly Bell and I have always loved to write.

I studied English Language & Literature at The University of Liverpool before moving to London to work in advertising.

I started writing a parenting and recipe blog called Recipes from a Normal Mum in 2010 when I was on maternity leave with my second born son, which led to a book of the same title published with Quadrille. The blog won a Good House Keeping Award in 2016 for best food blog. I don’t tend to update it much anymore as I’m too busy with other stuff.

Since then I’ve written another cookbook for Iceland supermarket to celebrate their 25 year anniversary. I also worked on a non fiction book without any recipes. It was published in Spring of 2021. I have appeared in various QVC, High Street TV and done shows on BBC Radio.

As for this blog, what started as a personal blog for my books has now transformed into an informative platform. Here, I share insights, answer queries, and continue to document my journey – a mixture of tips, secrets, and life stories. This blog has become a space for connection, learning, and sharing.

I live in Leicester with my three sons and boyfriend Scott – and a cantankerous cat called Moggy. I also bake brownies and sell them online after finishing as a finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2011.

Similar Posts