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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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy
Moderate: Xenophobia, War
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of my favorite books I read this fall. I truly think if you are going to choose a longer Tolstoy work that this is the one to go with. It's all about love, god, and truly one of the most insane breakdowns I've ever seen in my life. While the farming parts are oh-so-slow, I have to admit they are masterfully done. Take your time and try to chunk it out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, War
Minor: Racism, Xenophobia, Antisemitism
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Overall I enjoyed Anna Karenina. It had a lot of interesting and complex characters. I found each of them being my favorite at different points in the novel (except Vronsky whom I did not particularly like) and I found myself annoyed with them at different times.
The foreshadowing was done great. I especially liked how trains were constantly mentioned throughout the book foreshadowing Anna's eventual suicide. The horse metaphor was also pretty well done.
It did drag in some places, though really what can you expect from a book of this length, and while I understood the strategy behind the last part after Anna's suicide, Levin's revelation wasn't particularly interesting to me. I actually disagree with the choice to not share his spiritual thoughts with Kitty and think that could have been a more satisfying ending to me personally.
The foreshadowing was done great. I especially liked how
It did drag in some places, though really what can you expect from a book of this length, and while I understood the strategy behind the last part
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Grief, Classism
Minor: Sexism, Antisemitism, War
Most of this book revolves around adultery and suicidal thoughts and actions.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt
Minor: Violence, War
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As soon as I was done with this book I wanted to start over. It’s very dense so it’s slow to read the first time, but once I adjusted, I ate it up. The parts that went in depth about farming and politics were a bit slow but still kind of interesting. Having a family tree handy is useful for this one too, as a the groups of characters all intersect in ways and there are repetitive names.
This story is beautifully done, tragic, romantic, complicated.
This story is beautifully done, tragic, romantic, complicated.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide
Minor: War
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
FINALLY!!!
This books was insufferable. No need to say anything else, just INSUFFERABLE
This books was insufferable. No need to say anything else, just INSUFFERABLE
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship
Minor: War
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was incredibly surprising to me. I found that the pacing, despite the length of the book, was fairly fast and the romantic plotline was contemporary and relatable. I really enjoyed some of the philosophical reflections of the character Levin, as well as the overall social commentary on upper class society and marriage. However, I do think that some of the commentary- especially on Russia in this specific era- was lost on me, and many of the political discussions were extremely confusing. I think that some of the flaws of this book are to be found in its sheer length and its tangents. While some of the reflections are important and thoughtful, many are repetitive and could be cut out for a more enjoyable read. I also feel that some of the internal monologues detracted from the plotline and character development and seemed to be there for the personal reflection of Tolstoy- rather than the education of the reader. Overall- a deserved classic, with some obvious flaws.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexism, Xenophobia
Minor: Racism, War
challenging
emotional
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
anna's narrative slapped but levin was so boring, and worse, a landlord.........the peasants should've killed him the way the serfs did fyodor dostoevsky's dad :/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Drug use, Pregnancy, Classism
Minor: Child death, Racism, Sexual content, Antisemitism, War
challenging
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, War
Minor: Alcohol
challenging
funny
reflective
relaxing
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 have finally finished this tome! I found it to be surprisingly easy to read, full of drama and scandal, with richly developed characters and interpersonal relationships. I loved being able to see how the characters, their worldview and their relationships with the other characters changed over the course of the novel, in such a vivid manner that you could feel impending disaster just from the way they spoke. All the main characters were weirdly loveable despite their actions, and it was especially interesting to see Tolstoy’s own life mirrored in the story of Levin.
Having said this, I did find the interspersed verbiage about a collection of political, religious, and societal issues of the time to be somewhat tedious, and they often killed the momentum. It did give opportunities to delve deeper into each character’s psyche, but I was ultimately not engrossed.
When significant events occurred, the writing was enthralling, humorous and utterly enjoyable.
I would say this is definitely worth the read, not only to say you’ve read it, but as a whole experience.
Having said this, I did find the interspersed verbiage about a collection of political, religious, and societal issues of the time to be somewhat tedious, and they often killed the momentum. It did give opportunities to delve deeper into each character’s psyche, but I was ultimately not engrossed.
When significant events occurred, the writing was enthralling, humorous and utterly enjoyable.
I would say this is definitely worth the read, not only to say you’ve read it, but as a whole experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Minor: Racism, War