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ekb523's review against another edition
3.0
First of all, I'm very proud I finished this book in time for book club! It was a very long read and although it was very interesting to include a lot of the historical/political references of the time, there were very large chunks of the book that felt like overkill (i.e., all the talk of the peasantry and new machines for farming). Putting that aside, I absolutely loved the love stories and drama that affected each of the characters. Those parts were very engaging and fun to read.
jpmaguire2's review against another edition
2.0
This books is a boring string of soap opera situations with occasional glimmers of intriguing dialogue. But it is too long, moves extremely slowly, is full of uninteresting tangents, and didn't do much for me.
bboduffy's review against another edition
5.0
Bewitching, beguiling, and beautiful. This tragic, artful tale peeled back the curtain on 19th century Russian aristocracy, introducing me to a world that was equal parts foreign and familiar.
It took me four months to read (I kept getting sidetracked with other books), but now I wish I had read it straight through - fully immersed myself in that world. It's a perfect story for the winter months and I hope to find someone with whom I can discuss this text soon. Preferably while supping brandy in front of a fireplace, gazing out the windows of a passenger car as we cross a barren landscape, or while lounging at some luxurious country estate.
It took me four months to read (I kept getting sidetracked with other books), but now I wish I had read it straight through - fully immersed myself in that world. It's a perfect story for the winter months and I hope to find someone with whom I can discuss this text soon. Preferably while supping brandy in front of a fireplace, gazing out the windows of a passenger car as we cross a barren landscape, or while lounging at some luxurious country estate.
artemisia5's review against another edition
3.0
Ummm…kind of nice and insightful but very white. Lots of white on white crime.
lekakis's review against another edition
3.0
5 stars to me for finishing this novel. 3.5 for the novel.
I don't doubt that I will read this again one day but here's the thing: It's a good book, but it needs to be read in small portions that helps you digest and not get bored with how repetitive really is.
There's a lot of drama, that somewhat is justified by Anna's final act. There's a marvelous scene about the horse race and Vronsky. There's a lot of commentary about Russian high society that seems to be at crossroads. At times it was funny. And yes, women are treated badly now, and they were treated badly then.
But for the most part it was tiring with some brilliant moments, not focused. I understand that 1800's books are usually like that.
And at the end after 900 pages? Levin discovers God/Spirituality. Or that you best apply yourself when you are going on a spiritual quest for goodness. I get it, it's beautiful, and the 900 pages helped me understand Levin's struggle but I could do without it.
I promise I will read it again.
Oh and Tolstoy, ok great psychologists and he has lived a 1000 lives ... he is not a dog, he doesn't know what the dog thinks. I would love if we could skip the part that performs a mini psychoanalysis of Laska (Levin's dog).
I don't doubt that I will read this again one day but here's the thing: It's a good book, but it needs to be read in small portions that helps you digest and not get bored with how repetitive really is.
There's a lot of drama, that somewhat is justified by Anna's final act. There's a marvelous scene about the horse race and Vronsky. There's a lot of commentary about Russian high society that seems to be at crossroads. At times it was funny. And yes, women are treated badly now, and they were treated badly then.
But for the most part it was tiring with some brilliant moments, not focused. I understand that 1800's books are usually like that.
And at the end after 900 pages? Levin discovers God/Spirituality. Or that you best apply yourself when you are going on a spiritual quest for goodness. I get it, it's beautiful, and the 900 pages helped me understand Levin's struggle but I could do without it.
I promise I will read it again.
Oh and Tolstoy, ok great psychologists and he has lived a 1000 lives ... he is not a dog, he doesn't know what the dog thinks. I would love if we could skip the part that performs a mini psychoanalysis of Laska (Levin's dog).
mythos05's review against another edition
1.0
Although it's been recommended, it never caught my interest.
kittylake's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Okay. Honestly, this was far better than I expected it to be. I was completely shocked at how well the female characters are written. The level of depth and understanding is missing from many modern novels but I've since read Sofia Tolstaya 'helped' her husband with this novel and then it makes much more sense.
It's a brilliant book. I'm glad I read it. Why 3.5 and not higher? Well, it's as simple as personal taste. I found the ponderings on farming and religion and gender double standards and wealth interesting but a touch to rambly (sorry!). I could have done with denser content and equally long a book but I recognise this would probably kill the readability for many.
Okay. Honestly, this was far better than I expected it to be. I was completely shocked at how well the female characters are written. The level of depth and understanding is missing from many modern novels but I've since read Sofia Tolstaya 'helped' her husband with this novel and then it makes much more sense.
It's a brilliant book. I'm glad I read it. Why 3.5 and not higher? Well, it's as simple as personal taste. I found the ponderings on farming and religion and gender double standards and wealth interesting but a touch to rambly (sorry!). I could have done with denser content and equally long a book but I recognise this would probably kill the readability for many.
marysasala's review against another edition
5.0
My first foray into Russian literature. Completely understand why it is a classic. It was a moving, thought provoking work.
nednednedned's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Does anybody write an emotional train of thought like Tolstoy... what an amazing gallery of characters. I adored it.