Classics
Crime and Punishment
Raskolnikov, a poor former student in St Petersburg, convinces himself that killing a pawnbroker is justified. The book follows his guilt, fever and cat-and-mouse conversations with an investigator.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1866
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 536
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a psychological crime story that is deep, urgent and philosophical.
Skip this if you want a quick detective plot, since the crime is committed early and the rest is inner struggle.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Crime and Punishment
- What is Crime and Punishment about?
- Raskolnikov, a poor former student in St Petersburg, convinces himself that killing a pawnbroker is justified. The book follows his guilt, fever and cat-and-mouse conversations with an investigator.
- Who should read Crime and Punishment?
- Read it if you want a psychological crime story that is deep, urgent and philosophical. Skip it if you want a quick detective plot, since the crime is committed early and the rest is inner struggle.
- How long and how fast is Crime and Punishment?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 536 pages, first published in 1866.
- Does Crime and Punishment have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Mental illness.
- Can I borrow Crime and Punishment for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Crime and Punishment; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Crime and Punishment?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Brothers Karamazov, The Stranger, The Secret History.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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If you loved Crime and Punishment
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The Brothers Karamazov The same author's biggest novel, about faith, guilt and a family wrecked by a murder.
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The Stranger
A very short, cold novel about a man who kills and does not fit society's expectations of remorse.
-
The Secret History
A modern story of intellectuals who convince themselves a murder can be justified.
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