--- product_id: 233892222 title: "Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics)" price: "£19.06" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/233892222-crime-and-punishment-penguin-classics store_origin: GB region: Great Britain --- # 4.6/5 from 5,249 readers Top #3 in Russian Lit Criticism Faithful McDuff translation Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics) **Price:** £19.06 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Dive deep into Dostoyevsky’s genius — don’t miss the definitive Penguin Classics edition! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics) - **How much does it cost?** £19.06 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/233892222-crime-and-punishment-penguin-classics) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Trusted by Thousands:** Over 5,200 readers rate it 4.6 stars, proving its timeless appeal and quality. - • **Elevate Your Collection:** A Penguin Classics edition that signals refined taste and intellectual curiosity. - • **Critically Acclaimed Classic:** Ranks #3 in History & Criticism of Russian & Soviet Literature, a must-have for discerning readers. - • **Immersive Literary Experience:** Engages with unique, lengthy dialogues that reveal deep psychological and philosophical layers. - • **Masterful Translation Fidelity:** McDuff’s translation preserves Dostoyevsky’s original tone and cultural nuances without losing readability. ## Overview Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics) features David McDuff’s highly regarded translation, balancing faithfulness to the original Russian text with accessible English prose. This edition is a top-ranked classic in Russian literature criticism, boasting a 4.6-star rating from over 5,200 readers. Ideal for serious readers seeking an immersive, intellectually rich experience. ## Description desertcart.com: Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics): 9780140449136: Dostoyevsky, Fyodor, McDuff, David, McDuff, David, McDuff, David: Books Review: A Note on the Translation - I know a lot of future Dostoevsky readers are occupied with deciding the best translation to pick up for each novel, especially with so many translations out there, with this classic in particular. And so I wanted to add a knowledgeable opinion and note on McDuff's translation (based on the fact I am Russian). One point would be on faithfulness (of translation) and the other being readability. 1. Faithfulness: McDuff, as usual with his Dostoevsky translations, is able to convey to the English reader a fine sum of elements found in original Russian work with his translation. Not only does McDuff go the length in his attempts to never omit any bits of information (as in literal words or conveyed meanings), he also attempts to not alter or change information by the act of translation. Of course, this is done in a practical manner; that is to say, it is not an exact word by word literal translation, as no literary translation should be (we want to get a grasp of the story, not the functioning of the original language). With that being said, he doesn't do so perfectly, but he does do so better than most in my personal opinion, which is what this review is all about. In doing so, McDuff is able to convey the source material to a sufficient degree, while also keeping the translation a readable and English one. Thus, McDuff gives English readers the mannerisms and quirks of the Russian language through the English language, and with it, distinctive and defining qualities of the culture and author which make up this work of fiction. 2. Readability: Firstly, McDuff's philosophy of translation (as noted above) leads people to consider translations such as McDuff's as sometimes difficult to read, which I personally find to be strange. Not that I'm questioning the experiences of people who say so, it is more so that if you pick up a Russian novel (whether it's a translation or not), it would seem to me that you are open to experience, well, a Russian novel, and not an English one, be it difficult as it may. Russian is a strange language compared to English, not only strange through translation, but it is fundamentally different not only in syntax, but manner, content, and tone. If one rather just consume the overall "meaning" and story of the novel, while avoiding the "Russianees" of the novel, and with it, some of its literary significance, then perhaps other translations are a better fit, but I personally believe this to be a perversion of the medium of literature. Secondly, the McDuff translation is chiefly British, and somewhat highbrow in my opinion. In that sense, the translation has relative personal degrees of readability that should be taken into consideration. Being a non native English speaker, especially not British English, I had some difficulties at times reading this, but this meant just having to stop to check certain definitions at times, nothing major. Overall, I enjoyed and appreciate McDuff's translation, and for anyone who is particularly bogged down with finding the "best" translation, I would rank this, as well as the Katz translation, as two highly respectable options. Happy reading! Review: Unique writing style, great story - What I love about the classics is each author has a unique writing style, and Dostoyevsky is no exception. Most of the story unfolds through lengthy (and sometimes excessively verbose) dialogue, but I grew to really like it by the end of the book. Very unique. ## Features - Product Condition: No Defects - Great one for reading - It's a great choice for a book person ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #3,145 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #3 in History & Criticism of Russian & Soviet Literature #116 in Classic Literature & Fiction #353 in Literary Fiction (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 5,249 Reviews | ## Images ![Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81bAXZAp-GL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Note on the Translation *by R***N on September 9, 2024* I know a lot of future Dostoevsky readers are occupied with deciding the best translation to pick up for each novel, especially with so many translations out there, with this classic in particular. And so I wanted to add a knowledgeable opinion and note on McDuff's translation (based on the fact I am Russian). One point would be on faithfulness (of translation) and the other being readability. 1. Faithfulness: McDuff, as usual with his Dostoevsky translations, is able to convey to the English reader a fine sum of elements found in original Russian work with his translation. Not only does McDuff go the length in his attempts to never omit any bits of information (as in literal words or conveyed meanings), he also attempts to not alter or change information by the act of translation. Of course, this is done in a practical manner; that is to say, it is not an exact word by word literal translation, as no literary translation should be (we want to get a grasp of the story, not the functioning of the original language). With that being said, he doesn't do so perfectly, but he does do so better than most in my personal opinion, which is what this review is all about. In doing so, McDuff is able to convey the source material to a sufficient degree, while also keeping the translation a readable and English one. Thus, McDuff gives English readers the mannerisms and quirks of the Russian language through the English language, and with it, distinctive and defining qualities of the culture and author which make up this work of fiction. 2. Readability: Firstly, McDuff's philosophy of translation (as noted above) leads people to consider translations such as McDuff's as sometimes difficult to read, which I personally find to be strange. Not that I'm questioning the experiences of people who say so, it is more so that if you pick up a Russian novel (whether it's a translation or not), it would seem to me that you are open to experience, well, a Russian novel, and not an English one, be it difficult as it may. Russian is a strange language compared to English, not only strange through translation, but it is fundamentally different not only in syntax, but manner, content, and tone. If one rather just consume the overall "meaning" and story of the novel, while avoiding the "Russianees" of the novel, and with it, some of its literary significance, then perhaps other translations are a better fit, but I personally believe this to be a perversion of the medium of literature. Secondly, the McDuff translation is chiefly British, and somewhat highbrow in my opinion. In that sense, the translation has relative personal degrees of readability that should be taken into consideration. Being a non native English speaker, especially not British English, I had some difficulties at times reading this, but this meant just having to stop to check certain definitions at times, nothing major. Overall, I enjoyed and appreciate McDuff's translation, and for anyone who is particularly bogged down with finding the "best" translation, I would rank this, as well as the Katz translation, as two highly respectable options. Happy reading! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unique writing style, great story *by R***E on March 28, 2026* What I love about the classics is each author has a unique writing style, and Dostoyevsky is no exception. Most of the story unfolds through lengthy (and sometimes excessively verbose) dialogue, but I grew to really like it by the end of the book. Very unique. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ No piece of literature has gone as deep into the thematic material as this one *by I***T on July 29, 2024* Product Quality: My new copy came in close to Excellent, not perfect. There were about 4 or 5 visible marks, the ink quality was perfect, and thin pages that are expected of penguin classics. Not a perfectly new copy but what is ought to be valued is the story inside. Translatition and Notes Review: Since I started and finished reading this version as a high school freshman, this translation is excellent and my preferred and recommended one. The notes are outstanding with accurate and intriguing details about references in the book. Story Review: This book is the Bible of fiction/historical fiction after The Iliad, a masterpiece that is commonly valued by the giants of fiction literature. Spoiler: It is a slow paced masterpiece that describes a man (Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov) that has killed humans and has to live with it. After I read this book, I never saw the world the same. Dostoyevsky’s literary figures are so incredible that metaphors are sometimes stretched across multiple pages. The first book that made me really sense and imagine things with Fyodor’s precise descriptions. Parts like the end of the third part made me shiver and have anxiety and others had me at the edge of my seat. This literary document has gone the deepest into thematic material than any other and deserves a perfect 10/10 as my favorite book of all time. ## Frequently Bought Together - Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics) - The Brothers Karamazov: A Novel in Four Parts and an Epilogue (Penguin Classics) - The Count of Monte Cristo (Penguin Classics) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/233892222-crime-and-punishment-penguin-classics](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/233892222-crime-and-punishment-penguin-classics) --- *Product available on Desertcart Great Britain* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-04-22*