Laura Occasionally Blogs

( Previously, on Crime and Punishment: )

A Note on the Translation
Previously I blamed Constance Garnett for the clunky translation. I take it back. I have a new copy of the book also based on Garnett's 1915 translation, but it has NOT been heavily revised to make it closer to the Russian original. It is better. (Sorry, Dostoevsky.)

I feel like I've already done part three but I can't find it. Man.

3.1
In muddled half-sentences, Raskolnikov urges his family to leave him alone, but his mother refuses. Razumihin volunteers to look after Raskolnikov on their behalf. He will, you guys. You don't need to worry. Razumihin will give him all the mother's love a boy could want. For some reason. ( The delirium continues... )

3.2
When he wakes up the next morning, Razumihin is filled with self-loathing. ( Who is he, Raskolnikov? )

I think I like this book a tiny bit better when Raskolnikov isn't in it.

Raskolnikov Like-O-Meter: 7
Razumihin Like-O-Meter: 68 Million

3.3

Zossimov, watching [Raskolnikov] with all the zest of a young doctor beginning to practice, noticed in him no joy at the arrival of his mother and sister, but a sort of bitter, hidden determination to bear another hour of two of inevitable torture. He saw later that almost every word of the following conversation seem to touch on some sore point and irritate it.

( So, a normal Thanksgiving. )

3.4
The door opens, and in walks Sofya Semionovna Marmeladov, the daughter of the run over man and alleged prostitute. (I mean, she's an alleged prostitute, the run over man wasn't.) ( What is this, Grand Central Station? )

Raskolnikov Like-O-Meter: I can't decide whether him actually being marginally effective at deception makes me like him more or less. It's kind of chilling, but it's a nice change not to be saying, "NO, RASKOLNIKOV! SHHHHHH." So, I guess like a 6.
Razumihin Like-O-Meter: 70 Million