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Anna Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy, Richard Pevear , John Bayley , Larissa Volokhonsky
by Leo Tolstoy, Richard Pevear , John Bayley , Larissa Volokhonsky
This is a book that I was actually dreading reading for quite some time. It was on a list of books that I'd been working my way through and, after seeing the size of it and the fact that 'War And Peace' was voted #1 book to avoid reading, I was reluctant to ever get started. But am I glad that I did.
This is a surprisingly fast-moving, interesting and easy to read novel. The last of which I'd of never believed could be true before reading it, but you find yourself instantly engrossed in this kind of Russian soap opera, filled with weird and intriguing characters. The most notable theme is the way society overlooked mens' affairs but frowned on womens', this immediately created a bond between myself and Anna, who is an extremely likeable character.
I thought it had an amazing balance of important meaning and light-heartedness. Let's just say, it's given me some courage to maybe one day try out the dreaded 'War And Peace'.
This is a surprisingly fast-moving, interesting and easy to read novel. The last of which I'd of never believed could be true before reading it, but you find yourself instantly engrossed in this kind of Russian soap opera, filled with weird and intriguing characters. The most notable theme is the way society overlooked mens' affairs but frowned on womens', this immediately created a bond between myself and Anna, who is an extremely likeable character.
I thought it had an amazing balance of important meaning and light-heartedness. Let's just say, it's given me some courage to maybe one day try out the dreaded 'War And Peace'.
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Jenni
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rated it 5 stars
Sep 26, 2012 03:22pm
honestly, war and peace is much of the same. in war and peace it's less of a single story line and progresing arc, but more of a panoramic view of human nature. it DOES have the same affairs, troubled characters, loving families, all of that great stuff that makes classic literature. but it also has a more far-reaching aspect. i'm only halfway through war and peace now (i LOVED anna karenina) and it's one of my new favorites. i suggest you give it a try.
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I have already read War and Peace since writing this review. I wrote this a long time ago now, but I agree that War and Peace is pretty fabulous. Anna Karenina is still my favourite Tolstoy, though :)
Me too. I expected the same with War and Peace but found that was also very easy to read. I wonder if the language complexity is toned down in translations?
I too am surprised at how readable this book is! I was expecting really difficult to understand language and run-on sentences, but it could almost be a modern novel!I also really sympathize with Anna. I really feel bad for how society screwed her - her husband exonerating himself and withholding her child
Now the part that I find the most challenging to get through (and the most boring) are the sections about Levin, particularly when he waxes on and on about the aristocracy and peasantry. What did you think about this part of the story?
If I'm being honest, I don't even remember those parts that well - which probably shows what I thought of them! But I agree about Anna. Have you read War and Peace? I feel like that is very such the same in that it's highly readable and easy to follow. I am always very surprised when people consider it a challenging read, I know the length is a bit scary but I didn't find it difficult at all.
I have not read War and Peace (mostly evade of those fears - it's huge! It's unreadable! It's confusing!), but if it is like this book, I may have to give it a whirl. (Plus, I could brag about reading it LOL.)
