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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I listened to this as an audiobook and didn't really like the narrator's voice. At some point I'll go back and reread parts that I zoned out on. There were many interesting and profound lines and the plot was engaging. I didn't fully understand the psychological or spiritual connection between Levin and Anna, so that is one part I'll try to go back a read. Maybe, I'll up my rating once I understand the overall arc.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story was my first introduction to Leo Tolstoy and I absolutely loved it. Highly descriptive, tons of backgrounds information, complex characters and relationships, historical. I listened to the audio version narrated by Maggie Gyllenhall, and her voice was pure perfection. Highly recommend listening to that version!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is not principally about Anna, but more of how Anna's decision affects those around her, i. e. Kitty and Levin getting married, leads to Anna's downfall, Oblonsky and his wife reconcile, etc.
I enjoyed the story overall, but was more interested in Anna's story. It becomes very political in the last 20% or so, and I didn't really care about the political climate in Russia, I wanted to know about Anna! After Anna's death, no one even mentions her, it's like she never existed, which I found odd. Oblonsky is her brother and he never talked about her after that. Even Anna's ex-husband doesn't say anything or hint that he acknowledges her and her death. They all just carry on their lives as if nothing happened (weird!).
Maybe Tolstoy tries to do too much in this novel? I enjoyed reading this immensely and couldn't put it down, but Tolstoy lost me whenever he made political commentary. I felt it didn't belong and took away from his main argument of social class/status and how the harsh social structure along with the inequalities women faced poses difficulties for women. For example, Anna's husband's decision to divorce her (and her affair) destroys her socially.
If you're interested in classics and want to try out a fairly easy one to read, I do recommend Karenina. I didn't find the language complicated at all, like I did Dickens.
————————————————————————
After a reread 5 years later I still feel the same. I couldn’t care less for the Kitty/Levin storyline and wish it was just about Anna and Vronsky. I really like Vronsky as a character. He’s a good guy and truly loved Anna. I don’t have anything against him. This book could have been half its size if the other storyline was removed. I’m actually DNF’ing this reread because so far I’m having the same thoughts and feelings I had on my first read. No point to continue. I remember how it ends and don’t expect my opinion to change if I keep on.
I enjoyed the story overall, but was more interested in Anna's story. It becomes very political in the last 20% or so, and I didn't really care about the political climate in Russia, I wanted to know about Anna! After Anna's death, no one even mentions her, it's like she never existed, which I found odd. Oblonsky is her brother and he never talked about her after that. Even Anna's ex-husband doesn't say anything or hint that he acknowledges her and her death. They all just carry on their lives as if nothing happened (weird!).
Maybe Tolstoy tries to do too much in this novel? I enjoyed reading this immensely and couldn't put it down, but Tolstoy lost me whenever he made political commentary. I felt it didn't belong and took away from his main argument of social class/status and how the harsh social structure along with the inequalities women faced poses difficulties for women. For example, Anna's husband's decision to divorce her (and her affair) destroys her socially.
If you're interested in classics and want to try out a fairly easy one to read, I do recommend Karenina. I didn't find the language complicated at all, like I did Dickens.
————————————————————————
After a reread 5 years later I still feel the same. I couldn’t care less for the Kitty/Levin storyline and wish it was just about Anna and Vronsky. I really like Vronsky as a character. He’s a good guy and truly loved Anna. I don’t have anything against him. This book could have been half its size if the other storyline was removed. I’m actually DNF’ing this reread because so far I’m having the same thoughts and feelings I had on my first read. No point to continue. I remember how it ends and don’t expect my opinion to change if I keep on.
Finally it's finished. I liked it but it was way too long and slow book for me.
I must start clarifying: I gave it 3 stars because of my expectations. This is the first Tolstoy novel that I read and I had no idea of what I was getting myself into.
Anna Karenina is not a spicy novel about a forbidden relationship. It might be obvious, but it wasn't for me. Anna and her relationship are just pretexts to immerse us in the contrasting society of nineteenth-century Russia. However, that is too far from making this book not worth reading.
Although we enter the book wanting to know all the details of Anna's affair, I discovered that I hated and pitied most of the characters at the same time. All characters are highly questionable or disagreeable, so I gave up on picking a hero and a villain. I couldn´t help wondering if everyone was evil or just a victim of society.
I must say that if you're considering reading this, you need to get yourself enough time for it or keep in mind that it may take quite long to read. Not only because of the extension if the book but to analyze and explore it properly. I made the mistake of reading it in English without being a native speaker. I don't know if it was due to the translation or me being unused to old English, but it took me lots of effort to understand some parts. I definitely will give Anna Karenina a second chance, with a Spanish copy and more time to experience it properly.
Leo Tolstoy brings a bitter portrait of Russian society, one where we can see those who live by pretending to be what they are not, and the consequences of trying to be authentic in such a false community.
Anna Karenina is not a 'light read'. It is not the book you pick to relax and escape from reality. Tolstoy's intention was not to entertain but to show his reality, as complex as it was, and how he felt about it.
Anna Karenina is not a spicy novel about a forbidden relationship. It might be obvious, but it wasn't for me. Anna and her relationship are just pretexts to immerse us in the contrasting society of nineteenth-century Russia. However, that is too far from making this book not worth reading.
Although we enter the book wanting to know all the details of Anna's affair, I discovered that I hated and pitied most of the characters at the same time. All characters are highly questionable or disagreeable, so I gave up on picking a hero and a villain. I couldn´t help wondering if everyone was evil or just a victim of society.
I must say that if you're considering reading this, you need to get yourself enough time for it or keep in mind that it may take quite long to read. Not only because of the extension if the book but to analyze and explore it properly. I made the mistake of reading it in English without being a native speaker. I don't know if it was due to the translation or me being unused to old English, but it took me lots of effort to understand some parts. I definitely will give Anna Karenina a second chance, with a Spanish copy and more time to experience it properly.
Leo Tolstoy brings a bitter portrait of Russian society, one where we can see those who live by pretending to be what they are not, and the consequences of trying to be authentic in such a false community.
Anna Karenina is not a 'light read'. It is not the book you pick to relax and escape from reality. Tolstoy's intention was not to entertain but to show his reality, as complex as it was, and how he felt about it.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced