Scan barcode
A review by jacss
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Vexation! Bad communication! Beautiful toilets! Misogyny! Racism! Classicism! God vs Science ponderings! Carriages! Maids! High-School level emotional intelligence! *slaps book* This bad boy has it all, in just shy of 1000 pages!
... when it could've achieved the same in 300 pages likely - it was clear he got paid by the word. I was supposed to read this for a January book club (it is now September), but was unable to get even half way. At some point I started listening to the audiobook on Nextory just to be able to finish it.
The repetition of similar situations, but with different people made it feel like I was reading fillers, but not the main story and it was unclear as to what the main story actually was - despite the title. I think that this in part has to do with the Levin chapters that, for 90% at least, could've been skipped, or set in a different story, but Leo had to worm his likeness into the story somehow, and in what better way than the melancholic philosopher with a soft spot for a young girl... anyway, some of his chapters were welcome respite from the Emma-esque juvenile approach to communication and yearning, so I'm sortof happy that the chapters were there.
Not to go into too much detail, but I hated how Anna did what she did (although, cyclical with the start of the book, so fitting) and how society looked upon the act, and looked upon her. Sure, she made some choices in her life that were, dubious, but to say she deserved what happened? Nah, she needed therapy and to tell her boyfriend's maman to butt out with her more eligible suitors. Was that possible then. Probably not. But deserving? Also no.
... when it could've achieved the same in 300 pages likely - it was clear he got paid by the word. I was supposed to read this for a January book club (it is now September), but was unable to get even half way. At some point I started listening to the audiobook on Nextory just to be able to finish it.
The repetition of similar situations, but with different people made it feel like I was reading fillers, but not the main story and it was unclear as to what the main story actually was - despite the title. I think that this in part has to do with the Levin chapters that, for 90% at least, could've been skipped, or set in a different story, but Leo had to worm his likeness into the story somehow, and in what better way than the melancholic philosopher with a soft spot for a young girl... anyway, some of his chapters were welcome respite from the Emma-esque juvenile approach to communication and yearning, so I'm sortof happy that the chapters were there.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: War