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ska's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A beautiful, yet (at times) rather long and tiresome book. A classic slice of life story that details the trials of human existence in society and the struggle to find meaning and purpose. Furthermore it explores the consequences of failures in judgement, indulgence and the lack of empathy we show for one another for mistakes we may have reasonably made on our own. It touches on philosophical musings about the meaning of life and to whom which should turn to for answers and by what credibility we may give those people, thinkers, and institutions who purport to hold the answers to these elusive truths and our susceptibility to them. Overall I enjoyed this book, but I did feel that some sections were rather unnecessary (Levin and his agricultural pursuits) and that the book needn’t have been so long. But then again considering it’s intention to imitate life it is only fitting that one should it find the book rather long, boring, meaningless and elusive at times.
tommy_g's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Minor: War, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Pregnancy
aclassi_k's review against another edition
3.0
I guess Tolstoy is just not my cup of tea.
This book should be named after Konstantin Levin and not Anna Karenina. Anna herself is quite an unlikable character, whose jealousy makes her and her loved ones miserable. Her decision to be unfaithful leads to multiple other people suffering, and that is especially cruel to her son who she claims to love but still abandons. I think the theme of the book I've noticed was jealousy and the harm it causes and also honesty and faithfulness.
I was bored with Tolstoy's philosophical discussions about the simple Russian man and God (but not surprised) and the dialogue seemed all over the place with most of the male characters being rash and stubborn with their ideas. The women constantly cried and suffered which is a theme in Russian classics and that is why I strayed from reading this genre. The only thing I liked about the characters was how all of them were flawed and had their moments of weakness.
I'm glad I read Anna Karenina to be familiar with one of the greatest books ever written (not going to argue here) but I was not touched or impressed.
This book should be named after Konstantin Levin and not Anna Karenina. Anna herself is quite an unlikable character, whose jealousy makes her and her loved ones miserable. Her decision to be unfaithful leads to multiple other people suffering, and that is especially cruel to her son who she claims to love but still abandons. I think the theme of the book I've noticed was jealousy and the harm it causes and also honesty and faithfulness.
I was bored with Tolstoy's philosophical discussions about the simple Russian man and God (but not surprised) and the dialogue seemed all over the place with most of the male characters being rash and stubborn with their ideas. The women constantly cried and suffered which is a theme in Russian classics and that is why I strayed from reading this genre. The only thing I liked about the characters was how all of them were flawed and had their moments of weakness.
I'm glad I read Anna Karenina to be familiar with one of the greatest books ever written (not going to argue here) but I was not touched or impressed.
kylec97's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
birdybutt24's review against another edition
5.0
"my life now...every minute of it is no more meaningless, as it was before, but it has the positive meaning of goodness, which i have the power to put into it"
klingcooper's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A story rich in texture and beautiful writing especially when detailing the countryside and the mundane aspects of day to day life. I admit that I got lost a bit in the political turmoils and cared very little about the political plots that the men dealt with in their careers, but there was much humor in it as well. I often felt so repulsed and frustrated with the actions and thoughts and hypocrisies of various characters but I suppose it really is a fantastic portrait of the human condition; to love and to suffer and to hope and to dream and to fear. I appreciate much of the richness in inner dialogue that I find to be consistent in late 19th century Russian lit (I personally loved Dostoevsky’s The Idiot). I cared very little for Vronsky and Anna’s storyline to be honest but could not help feeling much pity for the titular character, even at times when I felt like she (and Vronsky and Karenin) acted as a coward lacking insight. Perhaps I am being harsh. I definitely resonated with the complex feelings of jealousy and insecurity as was dealt with by so many of the characters.
Having just finished this book a mere five minutes ago, I do look back at the journey with fondness, and I especially appreciated the final chapters of Levin’s internal reckoning with spiritual mysticism.
Having just finished this book a mere five minutes ago, I do look back at the journey with fondness, and I especially appreciated the final chapters of Levin’s internal reckoning with spiritual mysticism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
mme_carton's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5