Crime and Punishment: Part 1

Ok, so the 1st part of the novel has officially been read! The 1st two chapters were a little difficult to get into, and I didn't get going with the story until after Raskolnikov's mother's letter. Still, that had a lot more to do with my busy schedule, and less with Dostoevsky! Before I get into any specifics, let me state a few things for the record: 1. While attempting to read this novel one night, I was interrupted by an old friend with news of his recent arrest, and subsequent sentencing of 10 months of house arrest, and some new "jewelry" for his ankle. As always, art and life go hand in hand. I didn't get to read that night, but I do think I reflected on the novel's themes in a more CAPT question 3, Response to Literature way. My God, I miss my old life... 2. I have not yet decided how I plan to format these blogs, so this may be the way I do it for each part (with an overall commentary, and then a few specifics), or it may not. What the heck, this is a blog, not a Thesis. 3. Like everyone else, the Russian names are frustrating me, but I'll survive. No matter how many Checkov plays you read, or smart you are, Russian names are much harder to keep track of (especially with the first, middle, and last name thrown at you all at once - my god, who'd want to keep typing those names all the time?) than Joe Blow, and Rob Fabrizi. Finally, 4. I'm really glad to be reading this novel, and, so far, I like it very much. I could easily read another Part tonight, but we all have to wait for our buddy MF to catch up!

Specifics:

1. I think it's really interesting that FD starts the novel off with Raskolnikov's plan already in the works. This struck me as terribly efficient, and a great way to hook the reader from the get go. R's nasty attitude and superiority complex - coupled with his dilapidated outer-garments - instantly gets you wondering whether or not you're going to find yourself rooting for this character, or against him.

2. I found myself thinking a lot about Dickens while reading the first part of the novel, and Victorian Literature in general. Much like any good Dickens novel, you really need to keep track of all of the characters, since there's a better than average chance you'll run into them again. The Alyona Ivanova's and Marmeladov's of the novel - as well as the drunk girl (on her way to The Little Red Schoolhouse, I imagine) and her drooling suitor in chapter 4 - would easily fit into any one of the larger Dickens' novels I've read. So would Mr. Svidrigailov, Luzhin, and you get the point.

3. At this stage of my reading life, the drunkard character has been done too many times for me to underline all of his words of inebriated wisdom. Yes, Marmeladov has a few philosophic things to say, but I've heard most of them before (largely by my roommates in college).

4. I liked the mother's letter a lot, but I liked even more how Raskolnikov broke it down and read between the lines in Chapter 4. When he starts using some of the more reprehensible characters as metaphors for future behaviors he observed (such as when he referred to the fat dandy in Chapter 4 as Svidrigailov, and resigned the drunk Lydia character to the Darya Frantsovnas of the world), I was both pleased with myself for knowing who the hell is who in this darn novel, and with FD For adding that extra layer. Remember: Sonia's life is no worse than a life with Mr. Luzhin.

5. Connecting Marmeladov's daughter with Raskolnikov's sister was pretty clever.

6. "Anyway, he must decide on something, or else... "Or throw up life altogether!"" (44, in my book). I think about this sentiment quite a bit. I think we all do.

7. Who hasn't drank a little too much vodka and fell a sleep in a bush for a while? I hope this isn't the reason why FD is considered great! If this is the criteria for greatness, I know a few self-proclaimed poets - myself included - from college that should be Literary Gods by now.

8. The dream REALLY upset me. I had my hand over my heart half the time, and I even covered my eyes and peaked at the page once or twice. There's a few things in this world that REALLY bug me, and animal cruelty is one of them. I won't ever lose this scene from my mind. Thanks a lot Dostoevsky! I'm sure the helpless horse is symbolic in it's inability to meet the impossible demands of it's owner, to the Russian poor, or some other such nonsense that we'll figure out in a few weeks.

9. I liked how he "looked back" at the choice to walk through the Hay Market at just the wrong (or right) moment. This practice of identifying turning points in a person's life (which I first considered after reading an excellent essay by Mark Twain, called "The Turning Point of My Life"), is one that I really enjoy, in any form.

10. Mark and Rob" Why do writers sometimes just give the first letter of a word, and then an underline follows it? E.G., He's from the Province of N _ (62, in my book). In "The Devil and Tom Walker", Tom says "The D_ take me, if I have made a farthing!" Hemingway also does this to aviod using the F word in A Farewell to Arms. I've always wanted to know this.

11. Great moments of suspense in the last chapter of Part 1. FD does an excellent job with the whole murder/robbery. Is anyone else guilty of wondering if by walking on a newly painted floor, Raskolnikov has left a trail right to his house? It may be a stretch, but I did go to the same school that boasts the teachings of Henry Lee.

Well, that's all for now. I hope this wasn't too much for you all to read. I'm going to go read Ford's Blog now, and wait for the rest!

Readings: 2006

So My Pal Rob Ford Has Decided To Blog His Readings For The 2006 Year! Not to be outdone by my esteemed colleague, I figured I'd follow suit and post mine too! I hope this information is accurate; it was a long year!

In no particular order:

East of Eden, by JS (OK, I really read 1/2 of it in December of 2006, and 1/2 in January of 2007)

• I think I'll be writing up East in a day or ten (when I get the time). This was one of my most pleasant reading experiences in a long time (and I really liked Fountainhead, Don Q., and P&P, so that says a lot)

Don Quixote, by MC (A summer to re(ad)member - terrible joke! A lot has been written already about this novel, so I'll just say that I'm very glad to have read it, and I definitely enjoyed Part 2 more than Part 1.)

The Fountainhead and Anthem, by AR (I still like Atlas the most! The character of Howard Rourke is one of the best I've read, in any novel. I also liked Gail Wynand, and Toohey. While I enjoyed Dominique's character very much, I didn't like a lot of her choices - the marriage to Peter Keating above all else-, and I liked Dagny Taggart in Atlas much more. I also didn't care for the breakup of Rourke's friendship with Gail, but I "get it". There were a BUNCH of great moments in the novel: most of them involving scenes where we see Rourke's genius in action. I would read Fountainhead again in 10 years, but Anthem was nothing special to me.).

Portnoy's Complaint, by PR (I get why the book is so famous. The sheer audacity of the writer -to say taboo things that everyone knows to be the truth, and share experiences that many people have had - is impressive! Especially the scene with the mother standing at the sink, and the blooddrop on the floor! Still, I laughed aloud a lot, but I couldn't wait for the novel to end. There was nothing about the main character that I liked, and the narration got old, fast. )

The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons, by DB (Fun stuff! Easy to read (both books took a total of four days). Great art/history lesson. Why does the guy always ruin his stories in the end? These books were a great way to share a reading experience with my wife - who would rather not read heavy novels like Don Q.-, and for that I'm grateful. They also reminded me of my days in Europe. Again, that was nice. Still, I got very mad when the real bad guy was revealed in both novels. I though Brown's need to be clever - and unpredictable - hurt the stories. In Angels, I think everything after they take off in the helicopter was awful. I almost threw the novel away. DaVinci is a much better novel, in my humble opinion.)

Oliver Twist, and A Christmas Carol, by CD (Not happy with OT, but I loved Carol. I have to say that I was surprised that I didn't like Twist more. I know Fagin is a recommend character - and he was great-, but I didn't think The Artful Dodger lived up to his billing at all. Oliver was ok, but he didn't suffer nearly as much as I expected. The old man who liked to read - and who saved Oliver - was a great, kindly character, as was the girl/prostitute who also helped. All in all, I much prefer Great Expectations. A Christmas Carol was outstanding, and I'm very glad to have read it. I wonder which Dickens novel I should read next?)

Heart of Darkness, by JC (I wasn't a fan of this novel. Ford loves it, but it didn't do it for me)

Slaughterhouse Five, by KV (I liked this more than I expected. Glad to have read a novel of his)

Pride and Prejudice and Emma, by JA (Loved P&P! Emma was only ok. The characters in P&P were much better)

The Jungle, by US (Great start, dull end. I got the message UP.)

Frankenstien, by MS (Too many complaints to mention. Is it a great novel? Yes. Did I like it? Not really)

- Suck it Ford!