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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
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
4.5/5: truly surpassed the test of time. i seldom take my time with books i enjoy, and never did i think i would find myself caring so much about the trifles and affairs of unhappy Russian nobility from centuries ago, but here i am...despite the annoyance i felt, being reminded of the constant blushing and mood swings of most (if not all) of the main characters, i truly felt connected to them.
my only criticism, which is why i docked .5 stars: maybe i just don't get it, but this book really should've been called Konstantin Levin instead of Anna Karenina. unfortunately, Levin just isn't likeable to me, and being a Tolstoy self-insert, many of Levin's musings just felt tacked on, rather than carefully thought through. first came the rambling on farming practices (though i'm sure this must have been very relevant back in the day): this was, for me, the low point in the book. even after the Train Thing happens, we barely hear about the fallout; rather, we are treated to a near-hundred page rambling of sudden found faith. perhaps i'll feel differently when i come back to this sometime in the next decade.
my only criticism, which is why i docked .5 stars: maybe i just don't get it, but this book really should've been called Konstantin Levin instead of Anna Karenina. unfortunately, Levin just isn't likeable to me, and being a Tolstoy self-insert, many of Levin's musings just felt tacked on, rather than carefully thought through. first came the rambling on farming practices (though i'm sure this must have been very relevant back in the day): this was, for me, the low point in the book. even after the Train Thing happens, we barely hear about the fallout; rather, we are treated to a near-hundred page rambling of sudden found faith. perhaps i'll feel differently when i come back to this sometime in the next decade.
"It is possible to save a person who does not want to perish. But if the whole nature is so corrupt, so perverted, that perdition itself looks like salvation, what can be done?"
Spoiler alert!!!!! The story of a bored housewife with too much money and not enough occupation. This story is not romantic or feminist. For goodness sake the final train scene should tell you this. She threw herself underatrain because her life didn't work out like it did in her imagination.
I can appreciate the history lessons and the writing, but frankly this story is boring and not worthy of the 28 hours I spent listening to it. When you have that much time invested, you don't want to DNF, but I probably should have.
I will read this physically, with another translation to hopefully improve on my first impression. The story of Levin and Kitty is much more interesting and I would have preferred this. Although perhaps without the long lecture on snipe hunting or religious revelations.
I can appreciate the history lessons and the writing, but frankly this story is boring and not worthy of the 28 hours I spent listening to it. When you have that much time invested, you don't want to DNF, but I probably should have.
I will read this physically, with another translation to hopefully improve on my first impression. The story of Levin and Kitty is much more interesting and I would have preferred this. Although perhaps without the long lecture on snipe hunting or religious revelations.
“Was a woman ever as unhappy as I am?” (289)
The most compelling character of the novel is the eponymous character Anna Karenina. With dangerous autonomy Anna transgresses the oppressive boundaries of marriage to enter a scandalous affair with Vronksy. Is she freed by this decision, or ultimately ensnared? Is marriage the problem - with all its legal obstacles and religious doctrines - or is it lust? Love? Is Vronksy to blame for her maternal indifference or is this is a result of a patriarchal society who forces procreation? Who is to blame for Anna’s immorality? Who is to blame for her suicide?
“Some one should invent a way of inoculating love, like vaccination.” (135)
“We all have been created in order to suffer, and that we all know this and all try to invent means of deceiving ourselves. But when you see the truth, what are you to do?” (755)
Anna’s death is inevitable and irredeemable. Her predestined mental descent is so visceral that it evoked such strong feelings of pity and restlessness in me. The relentless beat of the iron poisons her dreams and her relationship, only ending under the wheels of a train. With this act she truly becomes the fallen woman archetype which she has fought so hard to repudiate.
“I feel that I am flying headlong over some precipice but must not even try to save myself. I can’t.” (421)
“He looked at her as a man might look at a faded flower he had plucked, in which it was difficult to trace the beauty that had made him pick and so destroy it.” (353)
Did Anna really have agency in a patriarchal and dogmatic world - one that continually condemned her? Or was killing herself the only agency she could ever exercise - the decision over her life?
I've thought a lot about why, in a book detailed with political and philosophical disputes, it is named after a fallen woman: a woman who is known for her beauty and coquetry, yet remembered for her ruination? Are we also to blame for her demise? Do we also play a part - through the endless analytical discussions of her fall for years to come- in leading her astray? Anna Karenina has been on humanity's lips for centuries. Who is to blame for our failings? Who is meant to save us? Do we act in the name of God or for ourselves? Who has the right to tell us which?
Anna Karenina is truly the most ambitious novel I've read, with the most questions left unanswered.
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
"Jestem rozbity, unicestwiony, nie jestem już człowiekiem! (...) Położenie moje dlatego jest okropne, że nigdzie, nawet w sobie samym, nie znajduję ostoi."
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Te amo Levin
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:
No
Anna Karenina is considered one of the greatest works of literature and I can comprehend why this fascinating work of fiction is so beloved and celebrated around the globe. Beautiful writing, realistic and emotionally relatable characters, a dramatic plot and a wonderfully fascinating setting, Anna Karenina has it all from a literary perspective.
One of the main flaws of this novel is its name. While Anna is one of the main characters and does hold a lot of significance, the story does not completely centre around her and there are other leading characters, thus the name is somewhat misleading. However, this slight issue is not enough to tarnish a reader's enjoyment, it only provides a slightly false impression to the potential reader.
This novel's language and writing are brilliant and beautiful in all its descriptions and dialogue. The edition I read had no evident translation faults, contrary to Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment which, despite being well-written, was flawed in its translation. This may be due to the popularity of Anna Karenina worldwide and Tolstoy’s fame in general, or perhaps this is just luck in the face of the edition and translator.
The characters of this novel are full of emotions and like real people are extremely flawed and aware of their flaws. The reactions and expressions of all characters felt very realistic which improves the relatablity of the characters to their audience. Despite the number of characters who are explored in depth, each is well-written, different, and does not lack in personality. While some audience members may prefer one over another, they have all the potential of real people. There are many characters that have great significance to the book but I will only discuss a few in further detail.
Anna is a very intriguing character from the beginning of the novel and her expressions, beliefs, emotions and actions draw the reader in, making it very easy to like her. Although her actions are not relatable to everyone, she is still loveable, even when participating in questionable actions. Tolstoy has consciously made her loveable to us in a similar way as she is to the people around her in the novel. She is so beautiful and charming she can seduce anyone, everyone believes she is splendid but her insecurities and constant need for love and reassurance are her downfall.
Count Vronsky on the other hand came across to me as very unlikeable in the beginning, and while this may be intentional, I found it hard to like him as a character for a great deal of the novel. Tolstoy may have done this in order to heighten the love of Anna in his audience so that readers may find themselves excusing her actions and conflicting over whether her actions or Vronsky’s are more morally correct at certain points of the novel. In time the audience may come to pity and almost love Vronsky for his gallant efforts to love and be loved by Anna, and the end of the novel evokes pity for him.
My favourite character was Konstantin Levin, he is well-meaning from the beginning and for me the most relatable. He represents those who wish to do what is right but cannot settle on what that is and despite loving many people, despise social interactions and formalities. Levin is hard-working and although he is laughed at, he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. I think Levin is intentionally a very loveable character and so is Kitty, whom he deeply loves. They are both flawed and the audience can witness their flaws separately and together and how they impact their bond, yet despite their flaws they are stronger together and continue to be well-meaning people.
The plot of this novel is very fascinating, while it moves slower than many contemporary novels, and thus may be difficult for some readers, not accustomed to classical literature, to read, it is packed with drama. The pace is reflective of the time and aids in drawing the reader into Tolstoy’s world. I adore reading classics that are set in the time they are written as they teleport the reader into the period and provide an interesting and different perspective. The characters feel as though they are brought straight from 19th-century Russia and aid in establishing the world.
Tolstoy is attempting to comment on many discussions and issues of the time through his work and while some are still relevant to the current world and audience, some are less so. Anna and Vronsky’s relationship is doomed from the start as their love is clearly born of negative emotions and has no solid foundation. Levin struggles with his faith and in the last chapter resolves his issues and uncovers his own identity in ways he has not previously considered. Whether Tolstoy’s implications are relevant or not, the world and story are brilliant and I am sure any classic reader would greatly enjoy this piece.
One of the main flaws of this novel is its name. While Anna is one of the main characters and does hold a lot of significance, the story does not completely centre around her and there are other leading characters, thus the name is somewhat misleading. However, this slight issue is not enough to tarnish a reader's enjoyment, it only provides a slightly false impression to the potential reader.
This novel's language and writing are brilliant and beautiful in all its descriptions and dialogue. The edition I read had no evident translation faults, contrary to Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment which, despite being well-written, was flawed in its translation. This may be due to the popularity of Anna Karenina worldwide and Tolstoy’s fame in general, or perhaps this is just luck in the face of the edition and translator.
The characters of this novel are full of emotions and like real people are extremely flawed and aware of their flaws. The reactions and expressions of all characters felt very realistic which improves the relatablity of the characters to their audience. Despite the number of characters who are explored in depth, each is well-written, different, and does not lack in personality. While some audience members may prefer one over another, they have all the potential of real people. There are many characters that have great significance to the book but I will only discuss a few in further detail.
Anna is a very intriguing character from the beginning of the novel and her expressions, beliefs, emotions and actions draw the reader in, making it very easy to like her. Although her actions are not relatable to everyone, she is still loveable, even when participating in questionable actions. Tolstoy has consciously made her loveable to us in a similar way as she is to the people around her in the novel. She is so beautiful and charming she can seduce anyone, everyone believes she is splendid but her insecurities and constant need for love and reassurance are her downfall.
Count Vronsky on the other hand came across to me as very unlikeable in the beginning, and while this may be intentional, I found it hard to like him as a character for a great deal of the novel. Tolstoy may have done this in order to heighten the love of Anna in his audience so that readers may find themselves excusing her actions and conflicting over whether her actions or Vronsky’s are more morally correct at certain points of the novel. In time the audience may come to pity and almost love Vronsky for his gallant efforts to love and be loved by Anna, and the end of the novel evokes pity for him.
My favourite character was Konstantin Levin, he is well-meaning from the beginning and for me the most relatable. He represents those who wish to do what is right but cannot settle on what that is and despite loving many people, despise social interactions and formalities. Levin is hard-working and although he is laughed at, he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. I think Levin is intentionally a very loveable character and so is Kitty, whom he deeply loves. They are both flawed and the audience can witness their flaws separately and together and how they impact their bond, yet despite their flaws they are stronger together and continue to be well-meaning people.
The plot of this novel is very fascinating, while it moves slower than many contemporary novels, and thus may be difficult for some readers, not accustomed to classical literature, to read, it is packed with drama. The pace is reflective of the time and aids in drawing the reader into Tolstoy’s world. I adore reading classics that are set in the time they are written as they teleport the reader into the period and provide an interesting and different perspective. The characters feel as though they are brought straight from 19th-century Russia and aid in establishing the world.
Tolstoy is attempting to comment on many discussions and issues of the time through his work and while some are still relevant to the current world and audience, some are less so. Anna and Vronsky’s relationship is doomed from the start as their love is clearly born of negative emotions and has no solid foundation. Levin struggles with his faith and in the last chapter resolves his issues and uncovers his own identity in ways he has not previously considered. Whether Tolstoy’s implications are relevant or not, the world and story are brilliant and I am sure any classic reader would greatly enjoy this piece.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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 went into this book knowing nothing about it except Anna's fate. That's it.
While this is a long book and considered a Russian classic (Russians seem to go all out for their classics considering how long they are compared to the rest of the world) it is not a hard book at all. The plot and characters are easy to follow. So, really as long as you have patience, then you're pretty good to go.
This book harkens back to a time when authors had the luxury of being able to write slow paced books and take their time with their characters and stories. Just not enough forms of media to compete with back then. This is far from the truth today, authors have to compete with streaming services, video games, phones, social media, and many others. Not to mention other books. So, Anna Karenina is a throwback to a very different time.
This book is interestingly enough, a time capsule to the twilight years of Imperial Russia. This book was published in 1878, about a generation before the October Revolution, the Russian Civil war, and the rise of the USSR. One of the most fascinating things about the book, to a history nerd like me, is seeing the political climate of the time. And seeing how so many characters didn't take socialists and communists seriously. I suppose this is an accurate representation of the time, at least from the Russian nobility.
Oh, my gods, how wrong they were...
But the characters are interesting, and it shows how we changed, and perhaps, in more ways, how we haven't changed. The characters truly felt humans, and though this book was written well over a hundred years ago, I can see many traits reflected in the people around me. Leo's toy store-I mean Leo Tolstoy really had a great grasp on human psychology. And philosophy as well.
Really, if you have the patience and want to brag that you read a super long Russian classic, then give it a go!
While this is a long book and considered a Russian classic (Russians seem to go all out for their classics considering how long they are compared to the rest of the world) it is not a hard book at all. The plot and characters are easy to follow. So, really as long as you have patience, then you're pretty good to go.
This book harkens back to a time when authors had the luxury of being able to write slow paced books and take their time with their characters and stories. Just not enough forms of media to compete with back then. This is far from the truth today, authors have to compete with streaming services, video games, phones, social media, and many others. Not to mention other books. So, Anna Karenina is a throwback to a very different time.
This book is interestingly enough, a time capsule to the twilight years of Imperial Russia. This book was published in 1878, about a generation before the October Revolution, the Russian Civil war, and the rise of the USSR. One of the most fascinating things about the book, to a history nerd like me, is seeing the political climate of the time. And seeing how so many characters didn't take socialists and communists seriously. I suppose this is an accurate representation of the time, at least from the Russian nobility.
Oh, my gods, how wrong they were...
But the characters are interesting, and it shows how we changed, and perhaps, in more ways, how we haven't changed. The characters truly felt humans, and though this book was written well over a hundred years ago, I can see many traits reflected in the people around me. Leo's toy store-I mean Leo Tolstoy really had a great grasp on human psychology. And philosophy as well.
Really, if you have the patience and want to brag that you read a super long Russian classic, then give it a go!
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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