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bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
its a classic novel of ideas, with themes that have timeless elements to them. however it is still grounded in its time which makes for an interesting read but also a challenging read. it was a struggle in parts to continue, but i overall enjoyed the journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Infidelity and Misogyny
meganbyrd77's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Salacious, juicy, everything I didn’t think it would be. Feels so surprisingly modern
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
amirahazhar's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Probably my favourite Tolstoy to date, and personally an easier read than War and Peace (which I liked, but not enough for me to go back to it). I could connect with all the characters and their inner strife. Tolstoy framed this in a way that you would side with anybody, but at the same time remain a neutral, because nobody was particularly good or bad.
I enjoyed the inner monologues of the characters and their tension with each other. It was the perfect period piece, and I devoured every single bit of it. Although to my chagrin, it took me a whole 2 months to finish the book, I wouldn't have had it any other way because this time, I wasn't speed reading. Rather, I took it one sentence at a time - in fact, this was the first book I've ever annotated properly. Every sentence just felt like gold and I didn't want any of it slipping through the crevices of my brain. I appreciated the conversations on the greater good, one's morality, farmers' struggles, the importance of agriculture etc. This text was so rich with discourse.
Also, usually, reading Tolstoy leaves me with a feeling of dread when I'm done but my soul just feels more nourished. Not sure if I'm making any sense. But wow, an easy 5 stars.
I enjoyed the inner monologues of the characters and their tension with each other. It was the perfect period piece, and I devoured every single bit of it. Although to my chagrin, it took me a whole 2 months to finish the book, I wouldn't have had it any other way because this time, I wasn't speed reading. Rather, I took it one sentence at a time - in fact, this was the first book I've ever annotated properly. Every sentence just felt like gold and I didn't want any of it slipping through the crevices of my brain. I appreciated the conversations on the greater good, one's morality, farmers' struggles, the importance of agriculture etc. This text was so rich with discourse.
Also, usually, reading Tolstoy leaves me with a feeling of dread when I'm done but my soul just feels more nourished. Not sure if I'm making any sense. But wow, an easy 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
knenigans's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I did not love the story or the overarching message but I did very much enjoy the writing and it is clear why this remains so popular.
I wish I had read this novel when I was 15, I think that would've been the perfect age for me to fully appreciate it.
I wish I had read this novel when I was 15, I think that would've been the perfect age for me to fully appreciate it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug use, Sexism, Antisemitism, Grief, Pregnancy, and Classism
chloecortez's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
molly_greenshields's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
She's only gone and completed one of her biggest literary goals of the year! After all, isn't Anna Karenina one of the greatest works of literature of all time? And although I went into this 800+ page beast... slightly daunted to say the least, I actually ended up having a lot of fun! I was living for the sheer drama and scandal of Russian Society (fair warning: Anna Karenina is just the tip of the iceberg), and Tolstoy's prose was just stunning (it's true that he actually had me laughing aloud from time to time) Loved, loved, loved.
I will readily admit, however, that I did skim over Levin's musings on scythes and agriculture...
I will readily admit, however, that I did skim over Levin's musings on scythes and agriculture...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Suicide
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
yolanda_h's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death and Pregnancy
julygiu's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
thewrongalice's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Xenophobia and War
skudiklier's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I don't really know what to say when reviewing a classic--what can I say that hasn't already been said? I knew pretty much nothing about this book going in (not even the ending, which everyone else seemed to know), and I found it entertaining. My biggest problem was not liking most of the characters and thus not feeling super sympathetic towards some of their decisions. But I was invested in them regardless, and was invested in the story overall, and I'm glad I'm read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt