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Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' is a titanic study of the moral duality within us all, set against the stark backdrop of 19th-century Russia. Dostoyevsky deploys a narrative structure that delves intimately into the psyche of its protagonist, Rodion Raskolnikov. His plan to murder a corrupt pawnbroker and the subsequent battle with his conscience serve as the nucleus of a work that explores the extremities of human thought and the consequences of transgression. The novel is a staple of psychological fiction and is placed at the zenith of the existential literature, of which Dostoyevsky is often considered a progenitor. Its intricate layers of morality, juxtaposing the internal and external worlds of its characters, set forth a timeless contemplation of good and evil. Dostoyevsky himself grappled with many of the philosophical conflicts he ascribes to Raskolnikov, having spent time in Siberian exile following his participation in political activities against the Tsarist regime. This personal experience with suffering and redemption seeps into the grittiness of his text, palpably influencing the sense of authenticity in the protagonist's tribulations. The novel's greatness lies partially in the transformative reflection of its author's soul-searching and his skillful transmutation of anguish into prose. 'Recommended for readers who yearn to dive deeply into the psychological depths of literature, 'Crime and Punishment' is more than a novel; it is an experience. With each passage, the reader confronts the complexities of morality and the haunting questions of righteousness, justice, and salvation. Dostoyevsky's magnum opus continues to resonate with anyone seeking to understand the darkness and light residing within human nature and the process by which one navigates the labyrinth of ethical decision-making.