Crime and Punishment 1.1

I Read That

Robert Fagles: The Odyssey(Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
A plank holder of the western canon made more accessible and enjoyable through Robert Fagles excellent translation. (*****)
Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion
Given the spate of atheist manifestos in recent years, I ought to give this a full review. In the mean time, I'll say Dawkins fires some legitimate shots at religion, and it's an educational read. In the end though, his case for lack of faith falls short, especially for those of us who can't imagine that the science-revealed universe, vast and profound, is ultimately meaningless. (****)
Steve Coll: Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001
A long but worthwhile read on U.S. policy and covert operations in Afghanistan from the Soviet invasion to 9/11. If you want an appreciation of just how challenging the situation is over there, this is the book. You'll also come away not minding President Obama taking his time on strategy. (*****)
John Ortberg: Faith and Doubt
To have faith, you must also contend with doubt. The two go hand in hand. Can it be? John Ortberg thinks so. I really liked this book. The conclusion didn't blow me away, but there are many powerful moments otherwise. A great book both for those who struggle to believe and those who don't. (****)
Armand M. Nicholi Jr.: The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life
Deserves a good review, but don't have time right now. Really worth while. Freud, the atheist, lived and died miserable. Lewis was an atheist and was miserable; chose belief and died happy. Of course, there's much more to the story, but this is really good. (*****)

September 13, 2011

Raskolnikov Cases the Scene

I've begun reading Crime and Punishment - the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation, which I believe is the latest and greatest. I'd like to get it knocked out by October so I can re-read Dracula for Halloween.

I don't think I've ever approached a book with greater indifference than this one - classic though it is. I read He mingway's A Moveable Feast a couple of years ago (really enjoyed that by the way), and in it, he speaks enviously of Dostoevsky. Maybe that's where I got the idea. I'm really hoping the indifference goes away, becaus this is a big book - 500 plus pages. It would be nice to be pulled in.

So, the novel comes to us in six parts and an epilogue. The opening section has a dirty, disheveled, impoverished and hungry Raskolnikov - he is not named right away - walking the streets of St. Petersburg in the process of rehearsing some sort of plan. He makes his way to an old woman's apartment where he pawns a watch. It's clear he's been there before as references are made to a previous pawn transaction. It's also clear Raskolnikov is there for another purpose, which is not revealed. He takes care to note as much as possible about the apartment and how to get there with as little attention as possible. In his mind, he can hardly believe his intention might be real. We know what is, of cours, but we'll pretend not to.

Posted at 09:16 AM in Books, Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky | Permalink

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I hope you end up liking the book. I read it years ago and really enjoyed it.

Posted by: Stefanie | September 22, 2011 at 12:25 PM

Thanks Stefanie. I'm already struggling to make progress - life is getting in the way. I'll hang in there.

Posted by: Tom | September 23, 2011 at 05:04 PM

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