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margauxreadit's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Suicide
heidi_meredith's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
As soon as I started this, I felt I'd rated my previous book too highly. Tolstoy has such incredible and witty insight into human nature. I'd never noticed before how similar he is to Austen, albeit she works more through dialogue than monologue.
I found Levin and Dolly most relatable for me. 'All day she felt as if she were acting in a theatre with better actors than herself, and that her bad performance was spoiling the whole affair.'
It is interesting to see the parallel journeys that Anna and Levin make in their quests for meaning and to note the similarities in some of their lines of thought, but their very different outcomes.
I found Levin and Dolly most relatable for me. 'All day she felt as if she were acting in a theatre with better actors than herself, and that her bad performance was spoiling the whole affair.'
It is interesting to see the parallel journeys that Anna and Levin make in their quests for meaning and to note the similarities in some of their lines of thought, but their very different outcomes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Racism
olivemypuns's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death and Racism
reebeee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.75
What can I say about this novel that hasn't already been said? The slow pace and long page count pay off in the moving, detailed, realist prose and narrative. Much of the historical and social context went over my head, and I wish I had read this in a class or guided reading group to fully gasp its intricacies. While it's one of the best books I've read this year, it wasn't one that I always enjoyed reading, thus the slightly docked rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Racism and Antisemitism
madsness's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One of my favorite books I read this fall. I truly think if you are going to choose a longer Tolstoy work that this is the one to go with. It's all about love, god, and truly one of the most insane breakdowns I've ever seen in my life. While the farming parts are oh-so-slow, I have to admit they are masterfully done. Take your time and try to chunk it out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, and War
Minor: Racism, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism
pejahanako's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was incredibly surprising to me. I found that the pacing, despite the length of the book, was fairly fast and the romantic plotline was contemporary and relatable. I really enjoyed some of the philosophical reflections of the character Levin, as well as the overall social commentary on upper class society and marriage. However, I do think that some of the commentary- especially on Russia in this specific era- was lost on me, and many of the political discussions were extremely confusing. I think that some of the flaws of this book are to be found in its sheer length and its tangents. While some of the reflections are important and thoughtful, many are repetitive and could be cut out for a more enjoyable read. I also feel that some of the internal monologues detracted from the plotline and character development and seemed to be there for the personal reflection of Tolstoy- rather than the education of the reader. Overall- a deserved classic, with some obvious flaws.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Racism and War
mothie_girlie's review against another edition
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs and Suicide
novelyon'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
3.5
anna's narrative slapped but levin was so boring, and worse, a landlord.........the peasants should've killed him the way the serfs did fyodor dostoevsky's dad :/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Drug use, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Racism, Sexual content, Antisemitism, and War
thesawyerbean's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
relaxing
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
4.25
I have finally finished this tome! I found it to be surprisingly easy to read, full of drama and scandal, with richly developed characters and interpersonal relationships. I loved being able to see how the characters, their worldview and their relationships with the other characters changed over the course of the novel, in such a vivid manner that you could feel impending disaster just from the way they spoke. All the main characters were weirdly loveable despite their actions, and it was especially interesting to see Tolstoy’s own life mirrored in the story of Levin.
Having said this, I did find the interspersed verbiage about a collection of political, religious, and societal issues of the time to be somewhat tedious, and they often killed the momentum. It did give opportunities to delve deeper into each character’s psyche, but I was ultimately not engrossed.
When significant events occurred, the writing was enthralling, humorous and utterly enjoyable.
I would say this is definitely worth the read, not only to say you’ve read it, but as a whole experience.
Having said this, I did find the interspersed verbiage about a collection of political, religious, and societal issues of the time to be somewhat tedious, and they often killed the momentum. It did give opportunities to delve deeper into each character’s psyche, but I was ultimately not engrossed.
When significant events occurred, the writing was enthralling, humorous and utterly enjoyable.
I would say this is definitely worth the read, not only to say you’ve read it, but as a whole experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Racism and War
demo'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
4.5
An excellent book occasionally spoiled by Tolsoy's tendency towards the driest didacticism .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Antisemitism