9.58k reviews for:

Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy

3.97 AVERAGE

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 wish I had read Anna Karenina as part of a Lit class. I probably would have enjoyed it more because I could tell there were some great themes interwoven between the stories of Anna and Levin, but I didn't fully appreciate the writing reading it by myself. I also think I would have liked the book better had I read it faster, and not over the course of 7 months. It was just sooooooooo long and without a lit class forcing me to get through the boring parts about Levin waxing philosophical, I just gave up on it for awhile until I could muster the motivation to get through the slogging parts.

I would like to start by saying that I feel cheated. I selected this edition of Anna Karenina because of its full dramatization. With over a dozen voice actors, I thought it would be easier to follow. Indeed it was and I really enjoyed listening to it. However, in creating a dramatization rather than a reading, much of Tolstoy's words and sentiments were lost. Instead of narrating, there were actual background noises: trains chugging, whistles, pouring tea, and numerous sighs. When listening you understood the plots and subplots, the emotions and romance, but I found it difficult to empathize with the characters. Over a year passed in just a couple of minutes that decisions seemed irrational. I feel as though the listener is missing out on the details that make this novel so well loved. For this reason, I am not going to give it any stars; my judgement is pending until I can get a copy (and time to read!) the full work.
adventurous challenging dark emotional informative 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

3.5 but rounded up for the final chapter of book 7.

Not a fan of stories that have a predominant focus on infidelity- makes it very difficult to feel any kind of connection or empathy for those involved.

Much like Middlemarch I did spend a decent amount of this wondering what the heck the point of most of it was. Far too long but Maggie Gyllenhaal and 2+ speed on the audiobook didn't make it feel as daunting.

One of my favorite books of all time.
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

Had no idea about the contents so was disappointed to have most of the story laid out in the introduction. Did enjoy it but would have liked some surprises.

Kind of at a loss for words trying to sum up my feelings on this doorstopper. It is some of the best writing I've ever read. Nearly every page contains a thought or emotion that I have had, yet never seen put on paper before. I frequently stopped to take pictures of his descriptions of love, sorrow, dread, angst, and remorse, some of which were just haunting.

That said, I don't think it was a perfect book. It kinda dragged towards the end. And I didn't fall in love with Anna like I thought I would. Though I was intrigued by her, and maddened, and impressed. But maybe Tolstoy's just captured real life so well and real life doesn't always make a perfect book.

I did fall in love with Levin. I related to him more than maybe any other character ever. He will stick with me forever.

Everyone should read this book at some point in their life
challenging reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Levin made it worthwhile.