Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - Anna Karenina

I fully understand why they call this book one of the best books ever written. Before reading this book, I did not realise that it was the one of the longest books ever written. It took me three months to finish. I even had to completely re-read the first part because I didn’t understand it the first time, but then after that I was basically hooked.
However there are many characters and it’s easy to get them confused especially since there are 3 guys called Alexander. I would go in depth about each of the main characters but there are simply to many.
If you want a modern day comparison, it’s kind of like reading Bridgerton (I’ve only watched the show) or reign but more dramatic. I am still yet to watch the Anna Karenina movie, but I will soon just to see how they depict such a deeply complex story.
The only part that annoyed me was

There were a few plot points that I felt weren’t fully completed. Like how did her husband and son react to her suicide???!?! This was heavily glossed over and instead replaced by Levin Constantine Dmitrich (Kostya)’s drawn out Monologue about Christianity

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cappuccino_yuki_teddy's review against another edition

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challenging 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

3.5

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annasbookreviews's review against another edition

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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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kerrence30's review against another edition

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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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marleens's review against another edition

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challenging sad slow-paced

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

3.0

It took a month and a half, but I made it through this famous chunker. I am glad I finally read it, and I loved Lewin and his storyline, but a lot of the rest of the book was either anger-inducing (almost all the Anna parts) or a struggle to read (the politics, religion, philosophy bits). So I feel accomplished about finishing it, and I enjoyed parts of it for sure, but I am also glad it’s done.

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thesawyerbean's review against another edition

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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

4.25

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.

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amaliebdam's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

Jeg føler ikke, at jeg kan endeligt lande på et antal stjerner til denne bog. Den er så lang, så trist, men også så helt igennem fascinerende. Jeg er glad for at have læst den, men ønsker ikke umiddelbart at gøre det igen. Det er bare en af de bøger, der er en hel oplevelse i sig selv.

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