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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
The Pevear/Volokhonsky edition includes one of the greatest introductions ever written. Nothing could have better prepared me to appreciate this book. Compliments to the chef.
Tolstoy needed an editor. Did they have editors in 1877? Maybe i didn’t get it but I’m confused. The book is called Anna Karenina- a woman who starts to understand that she’s not happy in a marriage that was arranged, and unhappy in general with society life. She falls into a passionate affair with a handsome guy (who has an artist phase, lol). She is shunned by society, he continues to be accepted as he has done what’s normal and allowed for men. She realizes his love is not everything and does not fulfill the passion for life she has either. She realizes no man can rescue her, a woman is utterly destitute without one in society (her brother and scorned husband go back and forth negotiating a divorce, she’s never involved lollllllll) and so she dies by suicide. But somehow the book ends on Levin figuring out the meaning of life. Tolstoy needed an editor.
I can now conclude that Levin is by far one of my favorite characters from any book I've ever read. as a Christian, I found his character to be more virtuous and honorable than many of the Christians that I know. He's true to himself. He has a quiet confidence, although he may not know it. I absolutely love the humility and the desire to work hard.
Something else I admired was how Tolstoy wrote the love of Anna and Vronski. He made me feel some of the shame, doubt, and even self-aggrandizement that Anna was feeling towards the end as she was descending into madness.
I have heard some say the ending, andAnna's mental state was quite rushed. I disagree as I felt Tolstoy was setting up the story to be tragic from the beginning anyway. Although I hadn't picked up on it, I could see how isolated Anna had become, her desperation to see her son was also a huge sign that this isolation was weighing on her in ways she did not acknowledge. My heart was broken for Vronski after her death even if I did not particularly like him. Tolstoy has a way of writing about the human condition and human emotions that really helps you to understand others.
All together an amazing read. I would give this a 4.5/5 if I could!!
Something else I admired was how Tolstoy wrote the love of Anna and Vronski. He made me feel some of the shame, doubt, and even self-aggrandizement that Anna was feeling towards the end as she was descending into madness.
I have heard some say the ending, andAnna's mental state was quite rushed. I disagree as I felt Tolstoy was setting up the story to be tragic from the beginning anyway. Although I hadn't picked up on it, I could see how isolated Anna had become, her desperation to see her son was also a huge sign that this isolation was weighing on her in ways she did not acknowledge. My heart was broken for Vronski after her death even if I did not particularly like him. Tolstoy has a way of writing about the human condition and human emotions that really helps you to understand others.
All together an amazing read. I would give this a 4.5/5 if I could!!
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
medium-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
Very engaging as the storylines moved rapidly. looking back across the novel you can pick up on subtle hints and foreshadowing. I connected the most with Levin. His experience and struggles with life and humanity within the greater context of God and things. that realization however took me 940 pages...
Anna Karenina is likely one of the books I enjoyed the most, despite sometimes dreading actually reading it. It is an exceptional story that has incredible introspection into human nature, but it's also bloated with philosophic arguing that can be a chore to read.
The characters of this story are a strange blend, none are quite lovable, none are completely hateable, and each and every one of them seems to be on the verge of emotional ruin at any point. This is aided by the often switching perspective that provides a full uncompromising view of many of the moralistic questions that Tolstoy appears to be exploring. Despite Anna being one of my most hated character in the novel most characters seem to give her a moral pass, although Anna herself can't seem to do so. And while Stepan is a frivolously enjoyable romp through fancy clubs and restaurants, it's quite obvious that he is compensating for a lack of something in his life. Each character feels rich in their own way, and I found myself caring for them despite some of their dreary circumstances.
In regards to those circumstances, it is difficult to question what is considered one of the greatest novels ever. However, I found myself almost unable to continue through some of the slower portions of the book. Tolstoy is not an overly descriptive author, but by the 9th concert, 4th ball, and 23rd slow walk through an estate I often was unable to focus on the interesting things that were occurring around such droll events. And although not a valid critique, I'm obviously not Russian enough for this novel. It makes sense as a translation that there may be items that don't make sense to a modern American audience, but I found myself getting lost in names and their many polite ways of addressing each other. There's also extensive discussion on the validity of peasants and their farming techniques, and a nuanced look at the Serbian-Turkish war. Most of that I felt I understood contextually, but I'm sure some of the cleverness was lost on me.
Ultimately, I found Anna Karenina incredibly enjoyable. It features what are now some of my favorite scenes in a book, and despite it's dry presentation I found myself pulled along. Tolstoy is a very strange writer by most standards, there is a certain harshness to his style of writing. Within that though, he addresses sensitive personal topics which turns out to be quite beautiful.
The characters of this story are a strange blend, none are quite lovable, none are completely hateable, and each and every one of them seems to be on the verge of emotional ruin at any point. This is aided by the often switching perspective that provides a full uncompromising view of many of the moralistic questions that Tolstoy appears to be exploring. Despite Anna being one of my most hated character in the novel most characters seem to give her a moral pass, although Anna herself can't seem to do so. And while Stepan is a frivolously enjoyable romp through fancy clubs and restaurants, it's quite obvious that he is compensating for a lack of something in his life. Each character feels rich in their own way, and I found myself caring for them despite some of their dreary circumstances.
In regards to those circumstances, it is difficult to question what is considered one of the greatest novels ever. However, I found myself almost unable to continue through some of the slower portions of the book. Tolstoy is not an overly descriptive author, but by the 9th concert, 4th ball, and 23rd slow walk through an estate I often was unable to focus on the interesting things that were occurring around such droll events. And although not a valid critique, I'm obviously not Russian enough for this novel. It makes sense as a translation that there may be items that don't make sense to a modern American audience, but I found myself getting lost in names and their many polite ways of addressing each other. There's also extensive discussion on the validity of peasants and their farming techniques, and a nuanced look at the Serbian-Turkish war. Most of that I felt I understood contextually, but I'm sure some of the cleverness was lost on me.
Ultimately, I found Anna Karenina incredibly enjoyable. It features what are now some of my favorite scenes in a book, and despite it's dry presentation I found myself pulled along. Tolstoy is a very strange writer by most standards, there is a certain harshness to his style of writing. Within that though, he addresses sensitive personal topics which turns out to be quite beautiful.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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