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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
A difficult read but well worth it. Amazing how the themes of love, children, politics, war, spirituality and religion have the same basic truths today as over 100 years ago. Hence, a timeless classic.
Will be processing for decades. A reminder of the beauty of human life. Amazed that it was created by one man. Longhand. Feeling grateful and a bit stunned that I finally reached the end.
Somehow I had never read this until now. I really liked it! There were parts where I got a little distracted by the long philosophical debates, but in the end, I thought this was a powerful and dramatic way of Tolstoy conveying a message about the extreme consequences that can come from romantic choices (especially when they break the rules), and people's inability to escape their circumstances.
this book has been with me for half a year, how do i even summarize my feelings on it? a perfect bedside companion, dramatic yet serene, surprisingly easy to read and get invested in. 5/5
(i was also pleasantly surprised to see some queer characters in this as well??? and i don't think i'm necessarily reading too much into it, pretty sure it was kind of obvious?)
(i was also pleasantly surprised to see some queer characters in this as well??? and i don't think i'm necessarily reading too much into it, pretty sure it was kind of obvious?)
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Alcohol
Minor: Grief, War
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"If a string isn't tight and you try to break it, it's very hard to do. But tighten it to the utmost and put just the weight of your finger on it, and it will break."
A literary exploration of Russian society, the trials and tribulations of marriage, and the pivotal theme of the fallen woman.
The central story in this book is Anna, a flawed and complex, yet beautiful and emotional woman. The pages delve into her life, her love, her lack of. Tolstoy is heavy on getting the reader to formulate their own perspective on Anna, and I think the way in which you see her heavily impacts the way that the book unfolds. Do you see her as a foolish woman who threw away social stability for a fleeting emotion, for a man that even the reader can’t truly understand the emotional side of? Or does she present herself to you as a flawed and complex woman, caught in the tidal wave of a society that longs for scandal, and a mould that she never seemed to fit?
Regardless, you experience her downfall, her punishment, with words capable of evoking a sadness for her plight, a deep resonating with her marginalisation, and even a frustration. Your respite is the other characters, the stories that weave alongside Anna’s. Levin and Kitty, Stepan and Dolly, and of course, the titular Vronksy himself. Amidst the themes of loss, dissatisfaction and upheaval, do you ever feel respite at all? Maybe in the moments where love is shown to prevail, where marriage isn’t just for validation. Tolstoy has a worthwhile way of contrasting the two, and crafting meaningful relationships between characters, ones a reader would root for- just as much as he does dismantling them.
Tolstoy tackles so many elements that comprise the backdrop of high Russian society, the judging, prying eyes that fall on almost every character, the ones that they themselves bear for others. Politics, people, the philosophy that resides in Levin, they all collide in a way that makes the novel work, that makes the pace feel just drawn out enough, the story a powerful one.
The character of Anna is one I’ll find almost haunting, in a sense. The book overall, is one I’m glad to have read.
A literary exploration of Russian society, the trials and tribulations of marriage, and the pivotal theme of the fallen woman.
The central story in this book is Anna, a flawed and complex, yet beautiful and emotional woman. The pages delve into her life, her love, her lack of. Tolstoy is heavy on getting the reader to formulate their own perspective on Anna, and I think the way in which you see her heavily impacts the way that the book unfolds. Do you see her as a foolish woman who threw away social stability for a fleeting emotion, for a man that even the reader can’t truly understand the emotional side of? Or does she present herself to you as a flawed and complex woman, caught in the tidal wave of a society that longs for scandal, and a mould that she never seemed to fit?
Regardless, you experience her downfall, her punishment, with words capable of evoking a sadness for her plight, a deep resonating with her marginalisation, and even a frustration. Your respite is the other characters, the stories that weave alongside Anna’s. Levin and Kitty, Stepan and Dolly, and of course, the titular Vronksy himself. Amidst the themes of loss, dissatisfaction and upheaval, do you ever feel respite at all? Maybe in the moments where love is shown to prevail, where marriage isn’t just for validation. Tolstoy has a worthwhile way of contrasting the two, and crafting meaningful relationships between characters, ones a reader would root for- just as much as he does dismantling them.
Tolstoy tackles so many elements that comprise the backdrop of high Russian society, the judging, prying eyes that fall on almost every character, the ones that they themselves bear for others. Politics, people, the philosophy that resides in Levin, they all collide in a way that makes the novel work, that makes the pace feel just drawn out enough, the story a powerful one.
The character of Anna is one I’ll find almost haunting, in a sense. The book overall, is one I’m glad to have read.
I was captivated by the rich historical context and intricate storytelling of "Anna Karenina," which shed light on the lives of individuals during the time it was written. However, I found myself deeply frustrated by the flawed and complex characters that populate the novel. In a way, this paradoxical mix of admiration and annoyance towards the characters speaks to Tolstoy's skill as a writer in crafting realistic and multifaceted personalities. While I may have conflicting feelings about the characters, this only serves to enhance the depth and complexity of the novel, making it a truly unforgettable and thought-provoking literary masterpiece. The three stars I gave, only reflect how enjoyable the book was for me, but I truly appreciate its literary merits and would have rated it 5 stars in that sense.
challenging
dark
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
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes