Crime and Punishment

Anthony Heald shows remarkable versatility in this production of Dostoevsky's 1866 classic. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT is a story in which little actually happens. The murders that constitute the titular crime occur early, and there is no mystery about who is responsible. The novel is primarily one of psychological, philosophical, and ethical questions pondered through the dialogue of its intriguing characters. Heald not only ascribes a unique voice to each of the cast, but he delivers the dialogue as a stage actor would, with exaggerated emotion and even with laughter, coughing, stammering, and other adornments indicated in the text. Although parts of this long recording inevitably drag, Heald's pacing and rich characterizations keep the story moving. D.B. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine


Many people consider this title to be the greatest novel ever written. This full-cast dramatization by BBC Radio superbly captures the intensity that is so crucial to the story of Rodion Raskolnikov and the psychological torment he endures following his murder of a money lender and her sister. The adaptation works well on audio because the characters and their voices are clear and well defined. In addition, the performance is true to the novel and easy to follow. While George Guidall's unabridged reading remains the gold standard, listeners who prefer shorter production will find this recording is a solid substitute. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine