Scan barcode
jacss's review against another edition
- 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
... 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.
Moderate: Animal death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: War
estefizaga's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism
karenclare's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Child death and War
tatjanasbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Abandonment and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, Alcohol, and War
o_cox25's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism
theloosepage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicide
barefootsierra's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Infidelity and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Racial slurs, and Antisemitism
falchionm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, War, and Classism
skelleybean's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
mirrorofneptune's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Parts with Levin: 1.5/5
This is an objectively well-written, thoughtful, and complex novel and I do understand both the timelessness and the hype. I also know that there’s something to be said for the literary merit of books with large casts where each character plays a role in communicating the themes of the story. That being said: I cannot stand Levin. He’s a shameless self-insert and I resent that he contributed to the plot. On a less biased note I didn’t find the storyline with him as compelling as the storyline with Anna– I know from a literary analysis perspective his relationship is meant to parallel Anna’s, but that doesn’t mean I liked reading about it. For a book titled Anna Karenina it felt like the Levin show a lot of the time…
All that aside, this book was a genuinely poignant sketch of complicated emotions, societal hypocrisy, and moral shades of gray. I am glad I read it, even though it was challenging at times. Some interesting pacing decisions were made but there’s a plethora of haunting quotes and scenes to make up for that.
In conclusion: God bless Sophia Tolstoy, I’m so sorry your husband probably plagiarized your diaries to write this, but the parts it looked like he lifted verbatim were some of the best 🙏🏻
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide attempt
Minor: Infidelity