Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, read aloud chapter by chapter.

The gist

A public-domain LibriVox recording of Crime and Punishment in Constance Garnett's translation, with episodes titled by part and chapter. The Part 1 chapters stay close to Raskolnikov, from a garret more like a cupboard than a room to a third, quiet ring at a door.

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About Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is an audiobook feed, not a talk show: a LibriVox recording of the novel, split into episodes titled by part and chapter. The episodes carry the standard notice that LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. Several also name the translation as Constance Garnett's. Then the chapter begins. Part 1, Chapter 1 starts on an exceptionally hot evening in early July, as a young man leaves his garret without meeting his landlady on the stairs. The room is more like a cupboard than a room. By Chapter 3 its dusty yellow paper is peeling from the walls, and he looks at it with hatred. Later in that first chapter he rings an old woman's bell, and its faint tinkle, as though made of tin and copper, seems to remind him of something. Chapter 2 finds Raskolnikov, a man who avoids society of every sort, suddenly thirsty for company. The chapter fills with a long outpouring about Katerina Ivanovna, hungry little ones and a respectable poor girl who cannot earn fifteen farthings a day by honest work, from a speaker who admits he was lying drunk at the time. It ends with Raskolnikov crying out a question: what if man in general is not really a scoundrel? Then, he reasons, the rest is prejudice and there are no barriers. Family pressure comes next. Chapter 3 carries a first-person account of slander spreading through a town and the whole surrounding district, and ends with him muttering aloud along Vasilevsky Prospect, to the astonishment of passers-by. In Chapter 4 he settles the main point of his mother's letter without a moment's hesitation: 'Never such a marriage.' He tortures himself with pictures of his mother and sister ten years on, and finds a kind of enjoyment in it. Chapter 5 holds the scene of Mikolka's overloaded cart, a laughing crowd and a mare shrinking under three whips as she struggles to move. It ends with an opportunity presenting itself: word that an old woman, on whose life an attempt is contemplated, will be at home and entirely alone at a certain time the next day. Chapter 6 gives her a name, Alyona Ivanovna, the old pawnbroker. The preparations turn physical there: a strip torn from a worn-out shirt, a noose sewn into his summer overcoat, a heart thumping so hard he can hardly breathe. The chapter ends after a third ring at a door, made quietly, soberly and without impatience. The feed suits a listener who wants the novel itself, heard in sequence, rather than talk about it.

Made for: Suits a listener who wants to hear Crime and Punishment itself, in the Constance Garnett translation, in chapter order, rather than a summary or discussion of it.

What sets it apart: It is the text rather than commentary on it: a public-domain LibriVox reading with every episode titled by part and chapter, so a listener can pick up exactly where Raskolnikov was left.

In their own words

A mysterious crime is being plotted in a tiny garret above a dilapidated apartment building in St Petersburg in Russia. The plotter, Rodion Raskolinikov, is a poor student who has delusions of ridding the world of “worthless vermin” and counter balancing these crimes with good deeds. He commits a murder to test his own theories and prove that crime comes naturally to the human species. Crime and Punishment is a path-breaking novel of ideas that changed the course of novel writing in the 20th century. The intense insights into the workings of the human mind had seldom been attempted by any writer anywhere in the world till then. The author, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, was the son of a hardworking but…

Why you'd press play

Raskolnikov waits ten minutes for Porfiry, and somehow you are the one sweating.

Press play if you want

  • to hear Porfiry make suspense out of evidence he refuses to reveal yet
  • Raskolnikov's nerves to turn an ordinary office wait into a private emergency
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Raskolnikov's arguments with himselfPoverty and cramped lodgingsDrunkenness and a family's hungerA mother's letter and a proposed marriageWhether moral barriers existPreparations for a crimeClassic Russian fiction in translation

Talks about

Best episodes of Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

01 – Part 1 Chapter 1Jan 2, 2023

A hot July errand turns poverty and social dread into the chapter's immediate atmosphere.

A stifling July walk turns into a close study of social dread as Raskolnikov leaves his cramped garret, slips past the landlady's open kitchen door, and heads toward Key Bridge with debt weighing on every step.

02 – Part 1 Chapter 2Jan 1, 2023

A filthy tavern opens into a hard question about poverty, judgment, and what people grow used to.

Raskolnikov's sudden need for company draws him into a filthy, close tavern, where the room's grime sits beside his exhausted wish to be elsewhere.

03 – Part 1 Chapter 3Dec 31, 2022

A cramped room, a tear-streaked letter, and a walk taken as Raskolnikov's mind breaks loose.

A miserable room turns into the episode's pressure chamber. Raskolnikov wakes late from broken sleep in a cramped, dusty space, yellow paper peeling from the walls and a ragged sofa doing duty as his bed.

04 – Part 1 Chapter 4Dec 30, 2022

A family letter turns an unwanted marriage into a question of survival, sacrifice, and action.

A mother's letter turns family duty into a crisis, as a young man rejects his sister's proposed marriage and sees the arrangement as a sacrifice meant to keep the household afloat.

05 – Part 1 Chapter 5Dec 29, 2022

A routine errand curdles into nightmare as a violent plan starts to feel terrifyingly inevitable.

A routine errand darkens into moral panic as the narrator weighs a work visit to an old companion and keeps pressing the thought for hidden, sinister meaning.

Podcasts like Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Episodes

  1. 1

    01 – Part 1 Chapter 1

    Hidden gem

    Crime and Punishment, Part 1, Chapter 1 follows Raskolnikov through a hot July in Petersburg as poverty, isolation, and fear accompany a planned visit to Alena Ivanovna.

    Jan 2, 2023·31m·2 clips
  2. 2

    02 – Part 1 Chapter 2

    Hidden gem

    ["This LibriVox reading of Fedor Dostoevsky's \"Crime and Punishment\" chapter 2 places Raskolnikov in a filthy St.

    Jan 1, 2023·10m
  3. 3

    03 – Part 1 Chapter 3

    Raskolnikov wakes in a cramped yellow room after a broken sleep, and Nastasya finds him irritable, hungry, and already talking about work as 'thinking.' A letter from his mother in the province of R.

    Dec 31, 2022·51m·4 clips
  4. 4

    04 – Part 1 Chapter 4

    Raskolnikov reads his mother's letter and decides that Dunya's marriage to Mr.

    Dec 30, 2022·46m·3 clips
  5. 5

    05 – Part 1 Chapter 5

    ["Crime and Punishment, Part 1 Chapter 5 follows Raskolnikov from a feverish walk across the Lesser Neva to a Haymarket coincidence that changes his plan.", "A LibriVox narrator reads Constance Garnett\u2019s English text of Fyodor Dostoevsky\u2019s chapter, while Raskolnikov counts thirty kopecks, buys vodka and a pie, and falls asleep on Petrovsky Ostrov.", "His dream sends him back to his childhood town, where Mikolka and a crowd beat a thin mare to death in front of a tavern while the child Raskolnikov cries and kisses the horse.", "Waking up shaken, he hears that Lizaveta Ivanovna will be away tomorrow at seven o\u2019clock, leaving Alyona Ivanovna alone and making the chapter\u2019s timing feel fixed."]

    Dec 29, 2022·35m·2 clips
  6. 6

    06 – Part 1 Chapter 6

    Hidden gem

    Raskolnikov hears a tavern conversation in which a student argues that killing Alyona Ivanovna could be justified if her money saved hundreds of people.

    Dec 28, 2022·39m·2 clips
  7. 7

    07 – Part 1 Chapter 7

    Crime and Punishment, Part 1 Chapter 7 follows Raskolnikov as he enters Alyona Ivanovna's apartment carrying a silver cigarette case and concealing an axe.

    Dec 27, 2022·41m·2 clips
  8. 8

    08 – Part 2 Chapter 1

    Hidden gem

    Crime and Punishment – Part 2 Chapter 1 follows Raskolnikov as he searches his clothes for evidence, finding congealed blood on his trousers, pocket lining, and sock.

    Dec 26, 2022·46m·3 clips
  9. 9

    09 – Part 2 Chapter 2

    Hidden gem

    In Crime and Punishment, “09 – Part 2 Chapter 2,” Raskolnikov retrieves eight stolen articles, abandons plans to sink them in the Ekaterininsky Canal, and hides them beneath a courtyard stone.

    Dec 25, 2022·29m·2 clips
  10. 10

    10 – Part 2 Chapter 3

    Hidden gem

    In Crime and Punishment, Episode 10 – Part 2 Chapter 3, Raskolnikov returns to consciousness after four days of fever, delirium, and almost no food or drink.

    Dec 24, 2022·34m·2 clips
  11. 11

    11 – Part 2 Chapter 4

    In Crime and Punishment Part 2 Chapter 4, Raskolnikov remains ill while Zazimov examines him and Razumihin discusses the murders of Alyona Ivanovna and Lizaveta.

    Dec 23, 2022·30m·2 clips
  12. 12

    12 – Part 2 Chapter 5

    Hidden gem

    Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin visits the ill Rodion Raskolnikov and discusses his engagement, his lodging near Bakalayev’s house, and Andrei Semyonovich Lebeziatnikov.

    Dec 22, 2022·27m·1 clip
  13. 13

    13 – Part 2 Chapter 6

    Hidden gem

    Raskolnikov leaves his room with twenty-five rubles and a fixed intention to end his intolerable situation, though he does not know how.

    Dec 21, 2022·43m·3 clips
  14. 14

    14 – Part 2 Chapter 7

    Hidden gem

    Crime and Punishment, Episode 14 – Part 2 Chapter 7 follows Raskolnikov after he recognizes the injured government clerk Marmelidov beneath a carriage and pays to have him carried home.

    Dec 20, 2022·43m·3 clips
  15. 15

    15 – Part 3 Chapter 1

    Hidden gem

    In Part 3, Chapter 1 of Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov receives his mother Plokharia Alexandrovna and sister Avdotya Romanovna after their arrival by a late train.

    Dec 19, 2022·34m·2 clips
  16. 16

    16 – Part 3 Chapter 2

    Hidden gem

    Razumihin wakes at eight o’clock ashamed of insulting Avdotya Romanovna’s fiancé while drunk and prepares carefully before visiting her family.

    Dec 18, 2022·29m·2 clips
  17. 17

    17 – Part 3 Chapter 3

    Hidden gem

    Raskolnikov receives his mother Pulcheria Alexandrovna and sister Dounia while Zosimov assesses his physical recovery and warns that isolation and idleness may worsen his condition.

    Dec 17, 2022·29m·2 clips
  18. 18

    18 – Part 3 Chapter 4

    Sonia Marmeladov visits Raskolnikov to invite him to Katerina Ivanovna’s funeral service and lunch after Marmeladov’s death.

    Dec 16, 2022·31m·2 clips
  19. 19

    19 – Part 3 Chapter 5

    Hidden gem

    Raskolnikov visits Porfiry Petrovich about redeeming a ring and watch connected to the murdered Alyona Ivanovna, while Razumihin and Zamatov observe him.

    Dec 15, 2022·43m·2 clips
  20. 20

    20 – Part 3 Chapter 6

    Hidden gem

    Raskolnikov and Razumihin debate whether Porfiry Petrovich and Zametov have evidence connecting Raskolnikov to the murders.

    Dec 14, 2022·33m·2 clips
  21. 21

    21 – Part 4 Chapter 1

    Hidden gem

    In Part IV, Chapter I of Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov receives an unexpected visit from Sveta Gailov, who wants access to Avdotya Romanovna and questions whether his conduct toward her was truly criminal.

    Dec 13, 2022·29m·2 clips
  22. 22

    22 – Part 4 Chapter 2

    Raskolnikov warns Razumikhin that Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov may pose a danger to Avdotya Romanovna after arriving in Petersburg following Marfa Petrovna’s death.

    Dec 12, 2022·28m·2 clips
  23. 23

    23 – Part 4 Chapter 3

    Dec 11, 2022·17m
  24. 24

    24 – Part 4 Chapter 4

    In Crime and Punishment, Part 4 Chapter 4, Raskolnikov visits Sonia in her impoverished room and questions how she supports Katerina Ivanovna and the children.

    Dec 10, 2022·36m·2 clips
  25. 25

    25 – Part 4 Chapter 5

    In Crime and Punishment, Part IV Chapter 5, Raskolnikov visits Porfiry Petrovitch at the Department of the Investigation of Criminal Causes expecting formal questioning about the murdered woman.

    Dec 9, 2022·42m·2 clips
  26. 26

    26 – Part 4 Chapter 6

    Dec 8, 2022·21m
  27. 27

    27 – Part 5 Chapter 1

    Hidden gem

    Crime and Punishment, Part 5 Chapter 1 follows Pyotr Petrovich after his broken engagement to Dunia, as wounded vanity, furniture costs, and a legal setback intensify his anger.

    Dec 7, 2022·45m·3 clips
  28. 28

    28 – Part 5 Chapter 2

    Hidden gem

    Katerina Ivanovna spends nearly ten of the twenty rubles Raskolnikov gave for Marmaladov’s funeral on a memorial dinner meant to defend her family’s dignity.

    Dec 6, 2022·35m·2 clips
  29. 29

    29 – Part 5 Chapter 3

    Hidden gem

    In Crime and Punishment, Part 5 Chapter 3, Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin accuses Sofia Semyonovna of stealing a hundred-rouble note after giving her ten roubles.

    Dec 5, 2022·34m·2 clips
  30. 30

    30 – Part 5 Chapter 4

    In Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Episode 30—Part 5 Chapter 4, Raskolnikov tells Sonia that he killed Lizaveta and the old pawnbroker.

    Dec 4, 2022·44m·3 clips
  31. 31

    31 – Part 5 Chapter 5

    In Crime and Punishment, Part 5 Chapter 5, Lebeziatnikov tells Sofia Semyonovna and Raskolnikov that Katerina Ivanovna has become incoherent and is taking her children into the street to perform for money.

    Dec 3, 2022·31m·2 clips
  32. 32

    32 – Part 6 Chapter 1

    Raskolnikov moves through panic, apathy, and confusion while worrying about Sveta Gailov and avoiding decisions that could bring ruin.

    Dec 2, 2022·24m·1 clip
  33. 33

    33 – Part 6 Chapter 2

    Hidden gem

    In Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Episode 33 – Part 6 Chapter 2, Porfiry Petrovich visits Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov to explain his investigation and confront him about the murders.

    Dec 1, 2022·32m·2 clips
  34. 34

    34 – Part 6 Chapter 3

    Hidden gem

    In Episode 34, Part 6 Chapter 3 of Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov goes to Svidrigailov while worrying that Svidrigailov knows his secret and may still be pursuing Dunya.

    Nov 30, 2022·26m·1 clip
  35. 35

    35 – Part 6 Chapter 4

    Hidden gem

    In Crime and Punishment, Part 6, Chapter 4, Svidrigailov tells Raskolnikov about his unwritten marriage contract with Marfa Petrovna and his pursuit of Avdotya Romanovna.

    Nov 29, 2022·33m·2 clips
  36. 36

    36 – Part 6 Chapter 5

    Crime and Punishment, Part 6 Chapter 5 follows Raskolnikov confronting Svidrigailov over Dunya's letter and suspected intentions toward her.

    Nov 28, 2022·43m·3 clips
  37. 37

    37 – Part 6 Chapter 6

    Hidden gem

    In Crime and Punishment, Part 6 Chapter 6, Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov spends the evening giving money to Sofia Semyonovna and his betrothed before leaving Petersburg.

    Nov 27, 2022·33m·2 clips
  38. 38

    38 – Part 6 Chapter 7

    This episode is the conclusion of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, read as an audiobook.

    Nov 26, 2022·27m
  39. 39

    39 – Part 6 Chapter 8

    In Episode 39, Part 6 Chapter 8 of Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov visits Sonia before going to the police office and asks for her cross.

    Nov 25, 2022·27m·2 clips
  40. 40

    40 – Epilogue

    Hidden gem

    Crime and Punishment: Epilogue follows Rodion Raskolnikov through an eight-year Siberian sentence after his confession to the murders and robbery.

    Nov 24, 2022·35m·2 clips