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ashkitty93's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My mental health did not need this existentialism, but overall an excellent book.
jthenandthere's review against another edition
5.0
convinced tolstoy could make me sympathise with any lego i step on
rehssingh's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
hjb_128's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcohol, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: War and Racism
ska's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A beautiful, yet (at times) rather long and tiresome book. A classic slice of life story that details the trials of human existence in society and the struggle to find meaning and purpose. Furthermore it explores the consequences of failures in judgement, indulgence and the lack of empathy we show for one another for mistakes we may have reasonably made on our own. It touches on philosophical musings about the meaning of life and to whom which should turn to for answers and by what credibility we may give those people, thinkers, and institutions who purport to hold the answers to these elusive truths and our susceptibility to them. Overall I enjoyed this book, but I did feel that some sections were rather unnecessary (Levin and his agricultural pursuits) and that the book needn’t have been so long. But then again considering it’s intention to imitate life it is only fitting that one should it find the book rather long, boring, meaningless and elusive at times.
tommy_g's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Minor: War, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Pregnancy
aclassi_k's review against another edition
3.0
I guess Tolstoy is just not my cup of tea.
This book should be named after Konstantin Levin and not Anna Karenina. Anna herself is quite an unlikable character, whose jealousy makes her and her loved ones miserable. Her decision to be unfaithful leads to multiple other people suffering, and that is especially cruel to her son who she claims to love but still abandons. I think the theme of the book I've noticed was jealousy and the harm it causes and also honesty and faithfulness.
I was bored with Tolstoy's philosophical discussions about the simple Russian man and God (but not surprised) and the dialogue seemed all over the place with most of the male characters being rash and stubborn with their ideas. The women constantly cried and suffered which is a theme in Russian classics and that is why I strayed from reading this genre. The only thing I liked about the characters was how all of them were flawed and had their moments of weakness.
I'm glad I read Anna Karenina to be familiar with one of the greatest books ever written (not going to argue here) but I was not touched or impressed.
This book should be named after Konstantin Levin and not Anna Karenina. Anna herself is quite an unlikable character, whose jealousy makes her and her loved ones miserable. Her decision to be unfaithful leads to multiple other people suffering, and that is especially cruel to her son who she claims to love but still abandons. I think the theme of the book I've noticed was jealousy and the harm it causes and also honesty and faithfulness.
I was bored with Tolstoy's philosophical discussions about the simple Russian man and God (but not surprised) and the dialogue seemed all over the place with most of the male characters being rash and stubborn with their ideas. The women constantly cried and suffered which is a theme in Russian classics and that is why I strayed from reading this genre. The only thing I liked about the characters was how all of them were flawed and had their moments of weakness.
I'm glad I read Anna Karenina to be familiar with one of the greatest books ever written (not going to argue here) but I was not touched or impressed.
kylec97's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0