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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
The novel is a strange combination of an Austen-esque love story and a message on the Russian state of being. In the beginning, you get mostly story with random chapters thrown in about Levin's struggle with the question of Russian peasants and farming. But towards the end it becomes mostly statements about society, philosophy, and religion with barely any story. *shrug* In my opinion, the book could have ended about a hundred pages shorter and been no better or worse.
loved the language and most of the events, but found all the characters very unlikeable in their own way. The book also dwindled on a lot, so this could have been 200 pages less, but nonetheless it was okay, the language wasn't too difficult, but the actual story fell short, had too much detail and needed more plot and tragedy. (also to get to the point)
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
greatest of all time
challenging
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
I get why this book is a big deal but it was a slog to get through and I was absolutely not a fan of Anna
A classic for a reason that you'll enjoy more than you might expect because it's such an easy read! Having finished it, it doesn't even feel like a long book and somehow nothing feels superfluous - Tolstoy, you are always such a delight to read!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-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
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to love this and was ready to, despite my previous boredom, rate it a strong 4 stars. Until the last chapters after Anna's death which focus solely on Levin. I get it, it is Tolstoy's self insert and he has quite interesting ideas. Yes, this book isn’t just about Anna. AND STILL. I FELT LIKE I COULDN’T ANYMORE READING THE LAST FEW PAGES. My eyes were closing. All I could think of was to get it done as soon as possible.
I loved Anna, she is my favorite girlfailure to ever exist, and I loved Kitty and Dolly as well. I have no idea how Tolstoy knows what women think like so well (or maybe I do know: by reading his wife’s journals and plagiarizing) but his talent in dialogue and thought exposition is close to unmatched. As much as I enjoyed Kitty, I couldn’t brush off that Levin felt like a predator to me (yes, I know, those were the times) and everyone else as well was always babying Kitty, saying don’t step like that, don’t jump too sudden, don’t rush, don’t don’t don’t… and i am supposed to believe she’s more than a child…I thought her and Levin’s jealousy crises were a match made in heaven and really ridiculous but not in a pestering way.
This was such a fun read also from a learning aspect about the 19th century and you can basically feel the bolshevik revolution bubbling, almost ready to go off. Also, there’s discussions on feminism and women’s role and education, marriage, honor, war, patriotism, economic models, politics, community, class division and so on… Funnily, there’s at some point a “he loves me he loves me not” flower ritual, there’s eating cucumbers with honey, which reminds me of my childhood, there’s the weird game Serioja was explaining they play at school which I found as a window into the past.
I also have read quite a few reviews that mention the reader’s participation (as a member of society) in Anna's scrutiny which I found really interesting. In general, the commentary on society is what makes this book. A few comments: Vronsky says “Society! What need would I have of society?” Also, two hundred pages before