Crime and Punishment is a psychological and philosophical novel centered on Rodion Raskolnikov, a poverty-stricken former student living in St. Petersburg. Convinced that certain "extraordinary" people are justified in transgressing moral laws to achieve greater ends, Raskolnikov murders an old pawnbroker he views as worthless. The act, however, fails to bring liberation—it instead plunges him into a deep spiral of guilt, paranoia, and mental torment.

As the investigation unfolds, Raskolnikov struggles with his own conscience more than with the law. The real punishment is psychological, not judicial. His interactions with other characters—particularly Sonia, a compassionate and devout young woman forced into prostitution—force him to confront the consequences of his ideology and ultimately offer a path to spiritual redemption.

Dostoevsky uses Raskolnikov's story to critique the dangerous rationalism and utilitarianism of his time, highlighting the necessity of faith, morality, and human empathy. The novel ends with Raskolnikov confessing and being sent to a Siberian prison, where the seeds of his moral rebirth begin to grow.

The Brothers Karamazov is a powerful exploration of faith, free will, and the complexity of the human soul. It tells the story of the Karamazov family, led by the corrupt and hedonistic Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three very different sons:

• Dmitri (Mitya) – the passionate, impulsive eldest son, driven by intense emotions.

• Ivan – the intellectual, skeptical middle son, who struggles with questions of faith and morality.

• Alyosha – the youngest, a deeply spiritual and kind novice monk, embodying faith and compassion.

The novel’s central conflict arises when Fyodor is murdered, and Dmitri is accused of the crime. However, the real killer is Smerdyakov, Fyodor’s illegitimate son, who is influenced by Ivan’s cynical philosophy, believing that without God, all actions are permissible.

The story includes the famous "Grand Inquisitor" chapter, where Ivan presents a haunting parable about the conflict between freedom and authority, challenging the foundations of Christian faith.

In the end, Dmitri is wrongly convicted, and Ivan descends into madness, while Alyosha finds hope in human connection and spiritual growth. The novel concludes on a note of redemption, reflecting Dostoevsky’s belief in the transformative power of faith and love.

Don Quixote is a satirical and deeply philosophical novel that follows Alonso Quixano, a man who becomes so obsessed with books about knights and chivalry that he loses touch with reality. Reinventing himself as Don Quixote, a self-proclaimed knight-errant, he sets out on a quest to revive chivalry and do noble deeds in a world that no longer believes in such ideals.

Accompanied by his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, Don Quixote embarks on a series of often absurd and comedic adventures—most famously, mistaking windmills for giants. His delusions lead him into conflict with the mundane reality around him, and while others mock him, the story ultimately reveals his deep humanity and unwavering idealism.

The novel explores themes of idealism vs. realism, madness vs. sanity, and the power of literature and imagination. Through its humor and pathos, Cervantes critiques the society of his time and reflects on the eternal human struggle between dreams and reality.

In the end, Don Quixote regains his sanity but dies soon after, leaving readers with a bittersweet reminder of the beauty—and cost—of believing in something greater than oneself.