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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A perfect novel. Worried it may have ruined other books for me. Each character is so well-drawn and complex, and Tolstoy expertly explores the titular characters son and madness without condemnation. I do have to come down on the side of not particularly liking Vronsky, though. I do not believe in the goodness of his and Anna’s love. Perhaps I will have more to say later.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Antisemitism, Classism
Minor: War
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
just so many scenes about Russians on a farm
“He looked at her as a man might look at a faded flower he had plucked, in which it was difficult for him to trace the beauty that had made him pick and so destroy it”
the moments of passion, the profound emotional turmoil and deep introspection found within these pages are truly unforgettable. i went through every emotion imaginable reading this book. the brilliance of Tolstoy's mind shines through in his rich and descriptive writing, painting vivid sceneries and presenting these characters that are beautifully woven together with all their own complexities, struggles and desires. i found a deeper level of appreciation and attachment for this book and the characters upon a reread.
the moments of passion, the profound emotional turmoil and deep introspection found within these pages are truly unforgettable. i went through every emotion imaginable reading this book. the brilliance of Tolstoy's mind shines through in his rich and descriptive writing, painting vivid sceneries and presenting these characters that are beautifully woven together with all their own complexities, struggles and desires. i found a deeper level of appreciation and attachment for this book and the characters upon a reread.
emotional
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:
Yes
Skip the hay-cutting chapters unless you're into agricultural existentialism
I think that this book is very cozy to read, but sometimes I feel like Tolstoy got lost in the sauce. There are a lot of memorable, high-stakes moments surrounded by a lot of dense, at times very uninteresting filler moments.
But the beautiful dialogue and the cutting character development really boost my opinion of this book. Anna's slow but sure descent into delusional jealousy, Levin's consistent drive towards doing what is "best," and his frustration when it doesn't go to plan, Kitty's metamorphosis after being spurned and rejected, Oblonsky's shallowness becoming ever clearer as the novel progresses... Tolstoy did a phenomenal job of making each character seem real, particularly in moments when the plot seems to be moving slower.
This doesn't really hold a candle to Dostoyevsky in my opinion, but it's still a quality book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in romantic drama and who has a month or more that they'd like to pass reading a long book.
But the beautiful dialogue and the cutting character development really boost my opinion of this book. Anna's slow but sure descent into delusional jealousy, Levin's consistent drive towards doing what is "best," and his frustration when it doesn't go to plan, Kitty's metamorphosis after being spurned and rejected, Oblonsky's shallowness becoming ever clearer as the novel progresses... Tolstoy did a phenomenal job of making each character seem real, particularly in moments when the plot seems to be moving slower.
This doesn't really hold a candle to Dostoyevsky in my opinion, but it's still a quality book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in romantic drama and who has a month or more that they'd like to pass reading a long book.