Initiated by a savage act, this is a powerful story of doom versus redemption. Although first published in 1866 in Russian, this is the original very dark tale of rebellious youth Rodion Raskolnikov stepping over lines and blurring morality in the name of higher purpose. It's a seminal piece of work whose themes are as relevant today as they were then, as you follow the journal of such a complex character. Highly recommended and an absolute must on the list of classics.
Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov is a former law student living in extreme poverty in Saint Petersburg. Upon succumbing to his debt, he devises a plan to murder a wealthy, elderly pawnbroker. After Rodion commits the murders, he must address his guilt and decide whether his horrible sin was worth the sacrifice. This novel, considered the first of Fyodor Dostoevsky's mature writings, helped bring Dostoevsky to the forefront of Russian writers.
