Crime and Punishment: free audio, which translation?

A new translation can change names, phrasing and sentence structure. An audiobook may therefore tell the same story while failing to line up with your page. Garnett’s name is given on the Gutenberg listing; check your own title page for the corresponding credit.

Do not treat a nineteenth-century Russian novel as evidence that every English edition is free. The linked Gutenberg edition is listed as public domain in the USA. The rights to another translation or recording need separate checking, including in your country.

The LoudReader sample demonstrates a short passage of generated narration. It cannot show how every name or later dialogue will sound. Try a longer passage in the app if the opening suits you; pronunciation and emphasis can be imperfect.

The linked LibriVox edition lists volunteers by section and supplies recorded audio. Sample more than one section if changes of reader matter to you. This is a practical difference to consider, not a reason to assume that either human or synthetic narration is always clearer.

Make a small name list as you meet characters. Start with Raskolnikov and add a relationship or role beside each new name. If the text uses a familiar form or a patronymic, record it next to the person rather than counting it as another character. Keep the spellings from your chosen translation.

• Use a spoiler-free character list, or build your own from the chapters already read.
• Finish a conversation before switching to another activity if several people are arguing.
• When you miss who is speaking, return to the start of the exchange and follow the text. Replaying a line without its context may not resolve it.

The aim is to reduce small points of confusion, not to turn a first listen into memorisation. You can always stop and read a difficult page.

1. Install the app on iPhone or iPad, or use the iPad build on a compatible Apple Silicon Mac.
2. Find Crime and Punishment in the Gutenberg catalogue while online and download the book plus any required voice.
3. Check the title/translation, play the first chapter and choose a voice you can follow comfortably.
4. If you have a different legally obtained, DRM-free EPUB, import that instead and check its formatting before beginning.

Try every available voice for your first 8 hours of listening. Afterwards, keep a free English voice selection and unlimited book listening. No LoudReader account or word quota. Premium includes speed control; a paid plan is not required just to complete this English ebook. See the ebook-to-speech guide for the import route.

Usually you should not expect either to match. Narration speed, translation, introductions and chapter packaging affect duration. Record the part and chapter when changing between reading and listening. For a class discussion, quote from the required text rather than copying wording from a different translation.