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Crime and Punishment (Recorded Books Edition) cover art

Crime and Punishment (Recorded Books Edition)

By: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Constance Garnett - translator
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Editor reviews

George Guidall's performance of this literary classic transports the audience to the slums of St. Petersburg and deep into the mind of Rodion Raskolnikov, a young Russian intellectual. Raskolnikov murders an old woman, a money-lender and pawn-broker he considers repugnant. He reasons that he'll repay his crimes with good deeds. Although he justifies the murder using reason and intellect, he is ultimately consumed by guilt. Crime and Punishment is one of the most influential works of literature in the world. Guidall's tremulous voice captures the severity and suspense of this story, making this an unforgettable experience for the listener.

Summary

Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment is universally regarded as one of literature's finest achievements, as the great Russian novelist explores the inner workings of a troubled intellectual. Raskolnikov, a nihilistic young man in the midst of a spiritual crisis, makes the fateful decision to murder a cruel pawnbroker, justifying his actions by relying on science and reason, and creating his own morality system. Dehumanized yet sympathetic, exhausted yet hopeful, Raskolnikov represents the best and worst elements of modern intellectualism. The aftermath of his crime and Petrovich's murder investigation result in an utterly compelling, truly unforgettable cat-and-mouse game. This stunning dramatization of Dostoevsky's magnum opus brings the slums of St. Petersburg and the demons of Raskolnikov's tortured mind vividly to life.
Public Domain (P)1991 by Recorded Books, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The novels of Dostoevsky are seething whirlpools...which hiss and boil and suck us in. They are composed purely and wholly of the stuff of the soul." (Virginia Woolf)

What listeners say about Crime and Punishment (Recorded Books Edition)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Masterpiece

This is Dostoevsky?s most complete work. The narration by George Guidall, one of the titans of audio book narration is perfection. He brings to characters to life and his perfect pronunciation of Russian names makes this complex and vast work accessible to all.

The translation by Constance Garnett often gets a bad press, but in my opinion is far superior to the 'modern' translations, which may or may not be more accurate (I cannot read the original Russian text), but are not as enjoyable to read or well written.

On the whole this is a brilliant work and an exceptional audio book. It may the most expensive version, but you get what you pay for. In my opinion it?s worth every penny.

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Simply awesome!

If the paper version is a ?page turner?, this version is an ?ear burner?! A masterful vocal depiction of complex and tense emotions and multidimensional characters? but don?t take my word for it, ?see? for yourselves!

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Beautiful Reading

It is difficult to see how a reading of this book could be better. It is perfectly paced, expressive and clear. Each character has a distinct, natural voice. The settings and characters come alive. Wonderful

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Really rather good

I've made it a third of a way through the book twice now and decided that the audiobook was the way to go. It's not always easy to listen to and you do have to work at it, but before long the story and - moreover - the characters get under your skin and they stay there for a very long time.
The narration is really excellent. The pronunciation, individual characterisations, constantly shifting pace and erratic mono and dialogues would challenge any narrator. He does a stunning job of keeping on top of the delivery.
As to what was going through Dostoevsky's head when he wrote it, I'm not too sure. It's a journey, in any case. Partly through the world as it was at that time and partly through the mind of a man who's not quite the full kopeck...

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4 people found this helpful

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

Excellent Novel

The story caught my attention immediately. The voice of the reader is s pleasure to listen to.

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3 people found this helpful

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

Incredible performance

It's a classic of course so no need to talk about what a fantastic piece of literature it is. George Guidall's narration is amazing in that he manages subtle alterations in his voice to help distinguish characters and really bring the text to life. A highly pleasurable way to spend 26 hours

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

So much easier than reading this complex novel

I was struggling to read this novel for my book group and finding the Russian names difficult so decided to try it as an audio book. The book is well read and the author knows how to pronounce all those Russian names. The novel became an enjoyable experience rather than a 'must do'.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very engaging

I have got a general method of using audiobooks which I suppose would affect my review too. I normally read and listen. That is, while I'm hearing to the audiobook I read the book simultanously. This, I believe, helps to get the most out of the both experiences.

My first audible experience was with Crime and Punishment. Although I'd had listened to the various audiobooks before, but this was the first time that I read the whole book in concert with listening to its narration. George Guidall's narration of the Crime and Punishment was fascinating and very engaging. The particular connection that his narration makes between the reader and the main character of the novel--Raskolnikov-- is beyond imagination. It definitely gets the reader into the world of the novel and shed even more light on one of the masterpieces of Dostoevsky. Guidall's soothing voice plus his tactful narration will help the reader of Crime and Punishment to live the novel.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

The crime? Writing this. The punishment Hearing it

Full of tedious moral machinations, first person philosophical debate and banal romanticism. How did this ever get recommended

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1 person found this helpful

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

Masterful Narration

This is the best narration I've ever listened on an audiobook. A unique interpretation. I looked for other interpretations from this narrator and found none like this one. It's really a masterful work.

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