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caladium's review against another edition
4.0
Después de un poco más de 2 meses por fin he terminado este mamotreto, estando bastante contento de haberlo hecho, luego de haber dudado muchas veces de si debía continuar por el lento ritmo que a veces el libro presentaba. Pero es algo que uno claramente debe esperar, al fin y al cabo, nadie puede embarcarse en la titánica tarea de escribir un libro de esta extensión y que sea perfecto, y es que no tiene por qué serlo. Tal cual como los personajes son presentados, descritos a profundidad, con todas sus virtudes, falencias, manías, cambios de humor y de ideas, constantes contradicciones, recriminaciones hacia sus personas y los demás, a lo largo de no sé cuántos años que han pasado en la novela y se constituye, a mi parecer, como el punto más alto de la obra. Y es que darse el tiempo de entrar en la psiquis de estos personajes no puede si no traer uno o más proceso de introspección al compararse con cada uno de éstos, descubriendo sus propias virtudes o defectos compartidos.
En resumidas cuentas, recomendaría el libro.
En resumidas cuentas, recomendaría el libro.
captaincommunism117's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bluereen's review against another edition
4.0
"He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking."
"He understood not only that she was close to him, but that he no longer knew where she ended and he began."
***
The greatest undertaking of my literary career thus far! Also my first venture into Russian literature.
The size of the book intimidated me—this is why I put off reading Tolstoy’s works for so long. But then I thought during summer break, ‘if not now, when?’ Safe to say that I do not regret my decision. Tolstoy tackles significant themes in his book—social class, women’s subjugation, politics, religion, the meaning of life… the list goes on. But of course, the central theme is love. While it is a given that Anna is a fallen woman due to her affair, readers won't get a sense that she is being condemned by the author. Tolstoy presents her situation plainly as it is—leaving it to readers to decide whose side they want to be on. It is remarkable how he humanizes all his characters so well: from the passionate and jealous Anna, the seemingly stoic and ‘magnanimous’ Alexei Alexandrovich, to the unbelieving yet compassionate Levin. Not one of them is perfect, yet readers can't help but sympathize for their respective plights. Regardless of the fact that they belong to Russian high society—at the end of the day, they are all human who cannot help but give in to their emotions. Tolstoy’s depiction of jealousy, in particular, is one of the best I've come across in writing.
If there is one thing to look forward to in this novel, it would be the characters’ internal monologues (especially Anna's toward the end!). Tolstoy fleshed them out so well that it is impossible not to feel an affinity for them all.
"He understood not only that she was close to him, but that he no longer knew where she ended and he began."
***
The greatest undertaking of my literary career thus far! Also my first venture into Russian literature.
The size of the book intimidated me—this is why I put off reading Tolstoy’s works for so long. But then I thought during summer break, ‘if not now, when?’ Safe to say that I do not regret my decision. Tolstoy tackles significant themes in his book—social class, women’s subjugation, politics, religion, the meaning of life… the list goes on. But of course, the central theme is love. While it is a given that Anna is a fallen woman due to her affair, readers won't get a sense that she is being condemned by the author. Tolstoy presents her situation plainly as it is—leaving it to readers to decide whose side they want to be on. It is remarkable how he humanizes all his characters so well: from the passionate and jealous Anna, the seemingly stoic and ‘magnanimous’ Alexei Alexandrovich, to the unbelieving yet compassionate Levin. Not one of them is perfect, yet readers can't help but sympathize for their respective plights. Regardless of the fact that they belong to Russian high society—at the end of the day, they are all human who cannot help but give in to their emotions. Tolstoy’s depiction of jealousy, in particular, is one of the best I've come across in writing.
If there is one thing to look forward to in this novel, it would be the characters’ internal monologues (especially Anna's toward the end!). Tolstoy fleshed them out so well that it is impossible not to feel an affinity for them all.
smms_674's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
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
vibrant_peace's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
cami19's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
littlefou's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After getting together, both couples were super jealous and paranoid, shit heads
bulldog_guy's review against another edition
2.0
Was interesting to have a view of Russian pre-Soviet era thinking on many topics like politics, social, class and religion.
Great for that. Story of the people themselves was a bit boring to me and I had a hard time identifying with any of the characters.
I realize I am in the minority on my view of this story. I am glad that I listened to the audio book. I would have had a difficult time to finish this if I had to read it.
Great for that. Story of the people themselves was a bit boring to me and I had a hard time identifying with any of the characters.
I realize I am in the minority on my view of this story. I am glad that I listened to the audio book. I would have had a difficult time to finish this if I had to read it.