Reviews tagging 'Death'

Anna Karenina by Nina Berberova, Leo Tolstoy

65 reviews

thewrongalice's review against another edition

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Grief, Death, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: War and Xenophobia

anna_catherine73's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I absolutely adored this book, Anna and Vronsky’s tragedy was captivating. However I found most of Levin’s passages (particularly about farming) very mundane and dull - its a pity Tolstoy did not have an editor!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Self harm

madddiebear's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Death

Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, and War

Minor: Racism, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism

bookish_bry's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Classism and Grief

Minor: Antisemitism, War, and Sexism

Most of this book revolves around adultery and suicidal thoughts and actions.

edwardian_girl_next_door's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Drug abuse, and Medical content

whysoserious's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Brilliant piece of work here. Definitely worth the effort, given the sheer size of the novel.
Anna has blatantly got borderline personality disorder - Tolstoy may not have known to call it that, but it oozes out of her every pore. 
I didn't find many of the characters likeable. Oblonsky was fun enough. Kitty was harmless. Levin on the other hand - ergh! What a sop! Me, me ,me... my place in the world, philosophy blah blah blah. 
Tolstoy could have snipped off 100 pages and it would have been a perfect 5 star outing. He went on a bit too long about fields, harvesting and peasants for me though.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death, and Terminal illness

Minor: Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage

pejahanako's review against another edition

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

3.5

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Moderate: Infidelity, Sexism, and Xenophobia

Minor: War and Racism

novelyon's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

3.5

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 :/

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death, and Infidelity

Moderate: Pregnancy, Drug use, and Classism

Minor: Antisemitism, Child death, War, Racism, and Sexual content

annasbookreviews's review against another edition

challenging inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Death, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief

Minor: Alcohol

kerrence30's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-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

4.5

The development of Anna, Vronksky, Kitty and Levin is very interesting, and shows a real in-depth understanding of the human psyche. While some of their struggles are particular to the time it is set, others are still relatable. It shows an accurate perception of dealing (or not dealing) with one’s troubles with mental health. Supporting characters are also well developed, giving a sense of familiarity, although the length of the book could be reduced somewhat by slightly less development of lesser characters. Personally less interested in the religious complexities but it does give good context to the time and situation in Russia.
Listened on Audible to understand the emotions felt by characters better than reading extended descriptions and thankful for it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Mental illness

Moderate: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Death, Suicide attempt, and Gun violence

Minor: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Drug abuse