alishaforeverev's review against another edition
4.0
Tolstoy is the true master. He creates such vivid characters. Such a beautiful and bittersweet read.
lovelyliterary's review against another edition
challenging
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? It's complicated
It took me nearly 14 months to read Anna Karenina and I don't know what to think about it. I don't even know what to rate it. Maybe it's because I read it in little chunks over a large period of time, but I was severely underwhelmed. I can see what Tolstoy was going for - the social commentary and critique is evident throughout the novel - but don't understand the guttural, emotional reactions many readers seem to have.
I want to re-read this in the future, perhaps over the course of a few weeks rather than a year+, to see if my opinion changes.
I want to re-read this in the future, perhaps over the course of a few weeks rather than a year+, to see if my opinion changes.
elenavillan'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
5.0
arandavis's review against another edition
5.0
¿Qué puedo decir de Ana Karenina que no se haya dicho ya?
Nunca en mi vida me habría imaginado leyendo y TERMINANDO este libro. Lo primero, porque los clásicos no son lo mío; y lo segundo porque, ¿HABÉIS VISTO QUE GRANDE ES ESTA COSA? (En serio, 1030 páginas son poca broma)
Pero bueno, lo he hecho y me he quedado con la boca abierta. La prosa de Tolstói es rápida y fácil de seguir y cuenta con personajes complejos a los que se les coge cariño casi de inmediato.
Ana y Vronsky se dejan llevar por la pasión y encuentran un final trágico. Son la causa de la felicidad del otro, pero también de su desesperación. No puedo evitar pensar que ambos acaban odiando el amor que se tienen, y a su vez, odiando que no puedan odiarse. Además, con su suicidio, Ana no solo castiga a Vronsky, sino que, de alguna manera retorcida, les libera a ambos de una relación que les consumía.
En cuanto a nuestro otro protagonista, Levin, éste evoluciona enormemente a lo largo del libro y, por muy pesados que algunos de sus momentos me pudieran parecer, una acaba orgullosa de él y de lo que logra. (Eso sí, los cacaos mentales que sufre este chico son dignos de un adolescente del siglo XXI; pocas personas he conocido yo que se coman la cabeza tanto como lo hace Levin).
Para resumir, con este libro he descubierto que adoro el drama ruso. En unos meses, si me animo, empezaré con Guerra y Paz, y con suerte, me gustará tanto como Ana Karenina.
Nunca en mi vida me habría imaginado leyendo y TERMINANDO este libro. Lo primero, porque los clásicos no son lo mío; y lo segundo porque, ¿HABÉIS VISTO QUE GRANDE ES ESTA COSA? (En serio, 1030 páginas son poca broma)
Pero bueno, lo he hecho y me he quedado con la boca abierta. La prosa de Tolstói es rápida y fácil de seguir y cuenta con personajes complejos a los que se les coge cariño casi de inmediato.
Ana y Vronsky se dejan llevar por la pasión y encuentran un final trágico. Son la causa de la felicidad del otro, pero también de su desesperación. No puedo evitar pensar que ambos acaban odiando el amor que se tienen, y a su vez, odiando que no puedan odiarse. Además, con su suicidio, Ana no solo castiga a Vronsky, sino que, de alguna manera retorcida, les libera a ambos de una relación que les consumía.
En cuanto a nuestro otro protagonista, Levin, éste evoluciona enormemente a lo largo del libro y, por muy pesados que algunos de sus momentos me pudieran parecer, una acaba orgullosa de él y de lo que logra. (Eso sí, los cacaos mentales que sufre este chico son dignos de un adolescente del siglo XXI; pocas personas he conocido yo que se coman la cabeza tanto como lo hace Levin).
Para resumir, con este libro he descubierto que adoro el drama ruso. En unos meses, si me animo, empezaré con Guerra y Paz, y con suerte, me gustará tanto como Ana Karenina.
idkijustneedtobuyabookshelf's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.5
A drag at times but a captivating classic
melissahoward's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!! I started this the Sunday before the New Year and have been engrossed by the characters. In fact, I’ve been dreaming strange dreams that are a conglomeration of AK and the movie, Howl’s Moving Castle.
This is definitely a five star book. Toltoy’s characterization and his understanding of psychology is profound. However, if you like plot, this book is not going to interest you.
In some ways the character of Anna reminds me of Madame Bovary. However, while the novel takes its name from her, the novel is really about Levin whose conversion at the end of the novel is compelling. I’ve read Crime and Punishment twice and it is interesting to consider the two entirely different perspectives on religion that are held by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. But what I find even more interesting is how I am beginning to realize that there is a mindset that inhabits people who do not live in what is traditionally known as Western Civilization, which is foreign and strange to us. It is fascinating to me how those from what is traditionally called the East can change their position so easily based entirely on their mood and opinion of the person they are talking too.
The sprawl of the novel and the tendency to go on tangents has been compared to Les Miserables. I think that it is a fair comparison. Having read some seriously long novels, I think the sprawl and attention to detail found in authors like Tolstoy and Hugo are what give the characters in their novels such compelling depth.
This is definitely a five star book. Toltoy’s characterization and his understanding of psychology is profound. However, if you like plot, this book is not going to interest you.
In some ways the character of Anna reminds me of Madame Bovary. However, while the novel takes its name from her, the novel is really about Levin whose conversion at the end of the novel is compelling. I’ve read Crime and Punishment twice and it is interesting to consider the two entirely different perspectives on religion that are held by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. But what I find even more interesting is how I am beginning to realize that there is a mindset that inhabits people who do not live in what is traditionally known as Western Civilization, which is foreign and strange to us. It is fascinating to me how those from what is traditionally called the East can change their position so easily based entirely on their mood and opinion of the person they are talking too.
The sprawl of the novel and the tendency to go on tangents has been compared to Les Miserables. I think that it is a fair comparison. Having read some seriously long novels, I think the sprawl and attention to detail found in authors like Tolstoy and Hugo are what give the characters in their novels such compelling depth.
emilyfrombookmarq's review against another edition
4.0
There are so many points I could touch on with Anna Karenina, but I will solely focus on Aleksei, as I found his character most fascinating. A man with the most reputable societal standing, and he goes against every gender norm to give Anna the progressive, independent life she aspires. Aleksei allows Anna to openly pursue an affair with Vronsky, even under his own roof, so long as she minimizes the gossip her actions will cause. Anna might describe him harshly, but he is much more lenient than most men would be in the same position. I find that Aleksei assumes the role that most women would should they find their husband cheating, and it brings grace I didn’t expect to extend him.
Overall, I find it wild that the themes of Anna Karenina still ring true today, but my biggest ray of hope for change comes from none other Aleksei Karenin. If that man can practice patience and humility for a woman finding her place in the world, so can the men of today.
Overall, I find it wild that the themes of Anna Karenina still ring true today, but my biggest ray of hope for change comes from none other Aleksei Karenin. If that man can practice patience and humility for a woman finding her place in the world, so can the men of today.
magdi_thealien37's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5