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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I just could not stay focused on this book and could not care about the characters
This was a lot. And it's a lot of good. I only came close to "liking" one of these people, but many were interesting enough to keep me engaged. I previously read War and Peace, and like that one, this one uses these folks and their dramas as a vessel for some very inspired thoughts, worded beautifully.
3.5
My personal opinion; Russian slice of life drama in the late 1800's mixed with commentary on society, morality as well of philosophical nature.
It's not a bad read, but it is a very dense/long and at times very meandering read! I admit I might have had too high/different expactations for it when I started the book. It's a lot more slice of life than I believed it to be at first.
If this is not your jam; my personal recommendation is, don't read it and waste your time on 800+ pages.
My personal opinion; Russian slice of life drama in the late 1800's mixed with commentary on society, morality as well of philosophical nature.
It's not a bad read, but it is a very dense/long and at times very meandering read! I admit I might have had too high/different expactations for it when I started the book. It's a lot more slice of life than I believed it to be at first.
If this is not your jam; my personal recommendation is, don't read it and waste your time on 800+ pages.
reflective
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
A re-read from my late teens, so I wasn't sure how my perspective would change. I had intended to do a chapter a day readalong but I was so immersed in the writing and the story that I just kept reading.
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I see why it's a classic. Very compelling story and lush illustration of the setting. However, I was really tired of the main character by the end, and far more interested in the story of Levin and his family. It's a thick read, but a good one.
This book is just as good as they say it is. I absolutely loved its elegant prose. I loved all the conversation around philosophy. And I really loved the ending. I sympathized with every character and found myself nostalgic for a time I’ll never see. Definitely worth a read.
This was a delight to read and I felt very sad to part with it after four months of reading.
I want to do a better review and maybe I will do that at some point x
I want to do a better review and maybe I will do that at some point x
ugh, obviously an excellent novel, but i feel like it lacked that certain insanity i expect from russian lit? like none of the drama was that dramatic to me? also personally found it a bit hard to follow all of the political arguments, will need to marinate further
Audio book
Max and I decided to read this book during summer 2021. UGH.
**Spoiler Alerts**
This is basically a novel about the "troubles" of the privileged class of Russia during Tolstoy's lifetime. Many novels are based on the troubles of the privileged. However, this novel had no true plot. It follows the lives of a few main characters (it's hard to tell who the main character really is), including every mundane detail of their lives. Excruciating detail. If I had been reading this rather than listening, I would have quit far before the end.
So let's talk about the end. There is a climactic event that I think should have been the end of the book. Instead, we get to follow Levin along a spiritual quest that lasted WAY TOO long. I kept checking how much longer was left in the book and being very disappointed to find that there were still 2 hours to go. 2 hours of the same spiritual quest.
I finished while Max has 100 pages left to read. I can't wait to hear his final opinion. He's enjoying the meandering of the story.
Max and I decided to read this book during summer 2021. UGH.
**Spoiler Alerts**
This is basically a novel about the "troubles" of the privileged class of Russia during Tolstoy's lifetime. Many novels are based on the troubles of the privileged. However, this novel had no true plot. It follows the lives of a few main characters (it's hard to tell who the main character really is), including every mundane detail of their lives. Excruciating detail. If I had been reading this rather than listening, I would have quit far before the end.
So let's talk about the end. There is a climactic event that I think should have been the end of the book. Instead, we get to follow Levin along a spiritual quest that lasted WAY TOO long. I kept checking how much longer was left in the book and being very disappointed to find that there were still 2 hours to go. 2 hours of the same spiritual quest.
I finished while Max has 100 pages left to read. I can't wait to hear his final opinion. He's enjoying the meandering of the story.