9.58k reviews for:

Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy

3.97 AVERAGE

challenging informative reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark emotional informative relaxing sad tense medium-paced
challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional informative reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated

I’ve tried reading this book about five times, and seriously, I hate it. Maybe it isn’t the story itself, it’s just way too long and verbose and, sexist and I just couldn’t take it anymore. I will no longer try again. I’ve reconciled that some books just aren’t for me. Especially classics written by white people… it’s too much and they try way too hard. No thanks!
emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"I think," said Anna, toying with the glove she had taken off, "I think... if there as many minds as there are men, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts."

The book didn't capture my heart fully, and at times the saga felt slow and difficult to focus on, but I did enjoy the book, and the writing. It was definitely the _right_ time for this book to be in my life, as my heart and perspectives have been expanding and experiencing large changes this year. I would have been unable to sympathize or understand anything about Anna if I'd read this a few years ago. The book is about much more than simply Anna, though, it's full of characters living their lives and experiencing the joys and complexities that go with love and hate. Vronksy felt a little underdeveloped, or overlooked; I wish I understood him more.

"It's embarrassing to admit it, but I... I'm unforgivably happy. Something magical has happened to me, like a dream, when you feel frightened, creepy, and suddenly wake up and feel that all those fears are gone. I woke up."
adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark emotional funny reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes