“Crime and Punishment” (1866) by Fyodor Dostoevsky plunges into the tormented mind of Rodion Raskolnikov, a broke ex-student in St. Petersburg who rationalizes murdering a greedy pawnbroker as a test of his “extraordinary man” theory. But after the brutal act, guilt and paranoia consume him, manifesting in feverish hallucinations and a cat-and-mouse game with the cunning investigator Porfiry. The novel’s tension coils tighter as Raskolnikov spirals between arrogance and despair, while encounters with other desperate souls-like the virtuous Sonia, a downtrodden sex worker-force him to confront morality and redemption. A psychological masterpiece, Dostoevsky’s tale dissects nihilism, suffering, and the possibility of spiritual rebirth through sin.

The Metamorphosis (1915) by Franz Kafka tells the surreal and tragic story of Gregor Samsa, a hardworking salesman who wakes up one day transformed into a giant insect. His grotesque new form horrifies his family, who initially care for him but gradually grow resentful as his inability to work strains their finances. Isolated in his room, Gregor struggles with shame, helplessness, and his family’s rejection until his lonely death, which they greet with relief. The novella explores themes of alienation, dehumanization, and the absurdity of existence, cementing Kafka’s reputation as a master of existential literature. The story’s unsettling blend of mundane detail and nightmarish fantasy has made it a timeless classic.