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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
Five stars until Anna’s death. Part eight which comprised almost entirely of Levin (or should I say Tolstoy) contemplating religion and eventually recognizing what he identifies as the proof/necessity of God was just extra and a complete departure from the rest of the story’s novelistic form. Otherwise stunning
emotional
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 think you see in every woman only a female, une couveuse!"
dropped a little tear on the red line
dropped a little tear on the red line
slow-paced
I've read this one twice, and I continue to adore Tolstoy. Though I enjoy War and Peace's scope, Anna Karenina is exquisite, painful and historically discerning. I always finish it in a state of quiet awe. The opening line alone is legend. My only star reduction is...that it isn't War and Peace, and some English translations shed some of the gloss.
3.5 rounded down.
First, for a classic this was good (I normally hate classics). I throughly enjoyed my start into exploring Russian literature.
However, my main criticism is the characters. Could Tolstoy have given me just one character in this book that wasn’t whiny or annoying? Each character had a plethora of major character flaws which made it really hard for me to attempt to identify with any of them.
Secondly, there was a ton of imagery and pages dedicated to describing political and agricultural arguments and life of the time. I personally was not a fan of this aspect.
A positive I will say is the theme of the consequences of betrayal was fascinating and thought provoking. I also loved the multitude of implicit and explicit Biblical allusions.
All in all that is my review. I just can’t believe I finished it haha.
First, for a classic this was good (I normally hate classics). I throughly enjoyed my start into exploring Russian literature.
However, my main criticism is the characters. Could Tolstoy have given me just one character in this book that wasn’t whiny or annoying? Each character had a plethora of major character flaws which made it really hard for me to attempt to identify with any of them.
Secondly, there was a ton of imagery and pages dedicated to describing political and agricultural arguments and life of the time. I personally was not a fan of this aspect.
A positive I will say is the theme of the consequences of betrayal was fascinating and thought provoking. I also loved the multitude of implicit and explicit Biblical allusions.
All in all that is my review. I just can’t believe I finished it haha.
I am changed forever. this was the most stunning and mesmerizing book I’ve ever encountered.
(and I’m forever in debt to Maggie Gyllenhaal’s voice for leading me through it.)
(and I’m forever in debt to Maggie Gyllenhaal’s voice for leading me through it.)
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
long-winded + the characters seemed like they were all trying to outrun boredom
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced