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What Happened to Anna K.
Married unhappily to a prominent member of her tight-knit Russian immigrant community, vivacious Anna K. engages in a reckless affair with an outsider on whom she has pinned fleeting hopes for freedom, while in a neighboring community, Bukharian-Jewish pharmacist Lev harbors a consuming love for Anna's cousin. 75,000 first printing.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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1056 people want to read
About the author
Irina Reyn
10 books112 followersIrina Reyn is the author of the forthcoming novel MOTHER COUNTRY. She is also the author of THE IMPERIAL WIFE and WHAT HAPPENED TO ANNA K.
She loves to hear from readers. Check out her website www.irinareyn.com.
She loves to hear from readers. Check out her website www.irinareyn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
February 27, 2011
In her debut novel, Irina Reyn writes lovely, luminous prose in a gentle, intelligent style. What kept me anchored to this story was her eloquent narrative flow--her evocative passages and her penetrating look at Russian Jewish immigrant life in Queens. What ultimately fizzled and fell short for me was Reyn's rendering of the re-imagined Tolstoy classic. Rather than the bracing and exuberant experience I had reading Anna Karenina, I felt constricted, claustrophobic, hemmed in by this version.
I was grateful that the author did not write an exact parallel to Tolstoy's version; however, just knowing that it is a (departed) remake floated regularly in my mind--perhaps that added to why the novel failed for me--the continual tugging of 19th century Anna Karenina. I had high expectations of a sprawling epic and a passionate, enigmatic Anna manifesting a riveting, heroine's energy. Instead, this Anna embodied only the prosaic and pitiable aspects of Anna Karenina. Reyn described her very well, giving us an astute psychological portrait of a self-absorbed romantic, a harsh critic of others with a tendency to see the world in black and white (by her own estimation). She was contradictory--a feminist, but aspired to live in her romantic 19th century novels. Unfortunately, Anna K lacked the inherent drama and tragedy of Tolstoy's Anna; Reyn's Anna was static, descending into her madness only by her own limitations and self-entrapment. Tolstoy's Anna had 19th century mores to consider--her loneliness was deeply felt, even though she had a hand in her isolation. Anna K's behavior, choices, and subsequent desolation often strained credulity. Additionally, the story of her marriage was dull. She marries for financial security at age 37 because her dreams of a "Heathcliff" coming along are fading along with her looks. Her cynicism is blind-sided by a young writer, with whom she starts a lustful affair. Euphoria. Then cynicism and unhappiness strike again. This was not enough to make a novel. Anna did not have any interesting eccentricities or experiences to vitalize the story.
The author did a peerless job of depicting the Russian Jewish immigrant experience in Rego Park, Queens, including the characteristics of the Russian "soul." Their philosophies, insecurities, and provincialities resonated on every page. Reyn had enough nuggets of back story and minor characters to write a rich, rewarding novel beyond this modern-day but tired remake.
She also did an interesting twist to Tolstoy's version of the French influence on 19th century Russian politics. Reyn brought in the art of the French film and the impact it had on the character of Lev, another romantic and protagonist of the second narrative. He saw through the lens of Godard, Bardot, Irene Jacob, Jean-Paul Belmondo--Lev, like Anna K, felt special and unique (through art) and unable to fit in with the sensibilities of most people. Paradoxically, he thought that this made him more sophisticated, rare--life was supposed to mirror art. He was a legend in his own mind. Fortunately, he eventually emerges from his myopic worldview (unlike Anna K).
Of all the parallel characters in this modern-day take on Anna Karenina (Anna K, Lev, David, Alexei, Kitty), Anna K was the least appealing or compelling and the most frustrating. She went from potentially faceted at the story's beginning to cynical and flat by the story's end (while Lev and Kitty became riper). She never was a siren, or beguiling, like Tolstoy's Anna.
I would read another novel by this author, however--she is a skillful prose writer. I think she will impress me more when she writes a true original.
I was grateful that the author did not write an exact parallel to Tolstoy's version; however, just knowing that it is a (departed) remake floated regularly in my mind--perhaps that added to why the novel failed for me--the continual tugging of 19th century Anna Karenina. I had high expectations of a sprawling epic and a passionate, enigmatic Anna manifesting a riveting, heroine's energy. Instead, this Anna embodied only the prosaic and pitiable aspects of Anna Karenina. Reyn described her very well, giving us an astute psychological portrait of a self-absorbed romantic, a harsh critic of others with a tendency to see the world in black and white (by her own estimation). She was contradictory--a feminist, but aspired to live in her romantic 19th century novels. Unfortunately, Anna K lacked the inherent drama and tragedy of Tolstoy's Anna; Reyn's Anna was static, descending into her madness only by her own limitations and self-entrapment. Tolstoy's Anna had 19th century mores to consider--her loneliness was deeply felt, even though she had a hand in her isolation. Anna K's behavior, choices, and subsequent desolation often strained credulity. Additionally, the story of her marriage was dull. She marries for financial security at age 37 because her dreams of a "Heathcliff" coming along are fading along with her looks. Her cynicism is blind-sided by a young writer, with whom she starts a lustful affair. Euphoria. Then cynicism and unhappiness strike again. This was not enough to make a novel. Anna did not have any interesting eccentricities or experiences to vitalize the story.
The author did a peerless job of depicting the Russian Jewish immigrant experience in Rego Park, Queens, including the characteristics of the Russian "soul." Their philosophies, insecurities, and provincialities resonated on every page. Reyn had enough nuggets of back story and minor characters to write a rich, rewarding novel beyond this modern-day but tired remake.
She also did an interesting twist to Tolstoy's version of the French influence on 19th century Russian politics. Reyn brought in the art of the French film and the impact it had on the character of Lev, another romantic and protagonist of the second narrative. He saw through the lens of Godard, Bardot, Irene Jacob, Jean-Paul Belmondo--Lev, like Anna K, felt special and unique (through art) and unable to fit in with the sensibilities of most people. Paradoxically, he thought that this made him more sophisticated, rare--life was supposed to mirror art. He was a legend in his own mind. Fortunately, he eventually emerges from his myopic worldview (unlike Anna K).
Of all the parallel characters in this modern-day take on Anna Karenina (Anna K, Lev, David, Alexei, Kitty), Anna K was the least appealing or compelling and the most frustrating. She went from potentially faceted at the story's beginning to cynical and flat by the story's end (while Lev and Kitty became riper). She never was a siren, or beguiling, like Tolstoy's Anna.
I would read another novel by this author, however--she is a skillful prose writer. I think she will impress me more when she writes a true original.
August 26, 2008
Where to begin...I am an ardent fan of the original Anna Karenina, written by Tolstoy who can deftly balance tragedy and simple beauty without coming off as maudlin or overwrought. The idea of bringing Anna into modern day New York was very interesting to me, and I was excited to see how Irena did this. It turned out to be a cute book, a quick read, a good "book for the time being until something really good turned up". Not one of the characters were likeable, they were all horrible twittering dopes. The Lev character, who was based very loosely on Levin, was a galoot who fancied himself cerebral because he would hide in theaters watching French films for hours at a time, he had no true redeeming qualities. I was sort of glad to be finished with the book.
June 9, 2008
I read this book primarily because it's being considered for a book fair. I'll admit, the cover page intrigued me. A tale of a young woman searching for love --all the good stuff. This book, based on the story of Anna Karenina by Tolstoy is set in modern day NYC with Anna K, a woman of 30-40ish years old. I have never read Tolstoy's story so I cannot compare the 2.
Although I enjoyed reading about the impact of immigration on Anna and her family, the daily lives of Russian immigrants, and some of the characters, as the story progressed, I wondered - will this ever end? Anna K is an interesting enough character but unfortunately, she didn't grow as much as I wanted her to. Some might argue and say that the ending was enough...Without spoiling the ending, I will only say that the rest of the book didn't do enough to reach the ending. I would love to know how others feel after reading this book.
Although I enjoyed reading about the impact of immigration on Anna and her family, the daily lives of Russian immigrants, and some of the characters, as the story progressed, I wondered - will this ever end? Anna K is an interesting enough character but unfortunately, she didn't grow as much as I wanted her to. Some might argue and say that the ending was enough...Without spoiling the ending, I will only say that the rest of the book didn't do enough to reach the ending. I would love to know how others feel after reading this book.
October 11, 2014
Not bad at all! The author does some smart things to make some of the Anna Karenina plot fit a modern setting, but the characters lack life and depth. Recasting the cavalry officer Vronsky as an adjunct English professor, for example, is just inexplicable! Hardly the wealthy, dashing, romantic hero who sweeps Anna Karenina off her feet, here he just seems like some random guy who is temporarily more appealing than her boring husband. Likewise, the decision to give solid nice guy Lev (ie, Levin) an obsession with French movies rings false.
May 8, 2010
I tried hard to like this one. A modern day Anna Karenina sounds like a good read. But it wasn't. I liked the writing, mostly. But the characters were not likeable. Not even Anna K. So, for some nice sentences and a what sounded like a good plot, it got two stars. I wish I had liked it better. Oh well.
March 16, 2016
I ended up starting and finishing this book in the same night. I had read Anna Karenina, so not like I expected the ending to be that much different, but the story really swept me up. It's a modern retelling of the story, but set in the U.S., but with Russian immigrants. Very intriguing and worth reading.
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July 17, 2010This is a brilliant transposition of the story of Anna Karenina from Imperial Russia to modern Jewish New York. Reyn has kept the essence of the characters and the spirit of the story alive. She manages to make the characters sympathetic and easy to understand for modern readers. The actual writing is so exquisite that I didn't want to finish this book!
Clever and beautiful with her curves and dark, wavy hair, Anna K. envisions a brilliant future for herself even though she comes from a poor Russian immigrant family. She dreams of an exciting career in publishing and a lover like Darcy or Heathcliff. She wants a future that features 'searing political essays, powerful lovers and a work of art shaped by the most idiosyncratic emigre mind since Nabokov'.
When the book begins, Anna is 36 and disillusioned with life and love. When she meets the older, wealthy Alexander, she decides that it is time to give up the struggle and accepts his proposal. They have a son, Serge, and her parents are overjoyed.
When she meets her cousin's boyfriend, David, a younger writer who has similar dreams and actually likes Russian novels, Anna falls hopelessly in love. Her feelings lead her into a reckless journey of self-destruction.
Lev, in this novel, is a Bukharian Jew, who falls in love with Anna's heartbroken cousin, Katia. But will their love last the distance when Anna casts her spell over him as well? He discovers in Anna someone who shares his interest in classic novels and French movies.
This novel, like the original, contrasts ideal love with the reality, and a fantasy-world with the 'real world. Anna, Lev, and David are all in danger of wanting the kind of life that they've read about in books. The author writes that: "When I neared thirty, I realized I was in danger of leading a wholly fictional (read: delusional) life and it was time to take myself in hand." This is something that Anna, unfortunately, never does.
Clever and beautiful with her curves and dark, wavy hair, Anna K. envisions a brilliant future for herself even though she comes from a poor Russian immigrant family. She dreams of an exciting career in publishing and a lover like Darcy or Heathcliff. She wants a future that features 'searing political essays, powerful lovers and a work of art shaped by the most idiosyncratic emigre mind since Nabokov'.
When the book begins, Anna is 36 and disillusioned with life and love. When she meets the older, wealthy Alexander, she decides that it is time to give up the struggle and accepts his proposal. They have a son, Serge, and her parents are overjoyed.
When she meets her cousin's boyfriend, David, a younger writer who has similar dreams and actually likes Russian novels, Anna falls hopelessly in love. Her feelings lead her into a reckless journey of self-destruction.
Lev, in this novel, is a Bukharian Jew, who falls in love with Anna's heartbroken cousin, Katia. But will their love last the distance when Anna casts her spell over him as well? He discovers in Anna someone who shares his interest in classic novels and French movies.
This novel, like the original, contrasts ideal love with the reality, and a fantasy-world with the 'real world. Anna, Lev, and David are all in danger of wanting the kind of life that they've read about in books. The author writes that: "When I neared thirty, I realized I was in danger of leading a wholly fictional (read: delusional) life and it was time to take myself in hand." This is something that Anna, unfortunately, never does.
January 16, 2013
Luckily I haven't read Anna Karenina yet so I didn't compare this book to that & read it with an open mind without Tolstoy looming over everything. I really enjoyed this writer, I think she writes lovely & the story was a good one. Anna K. was unlikable in that her actions were not those you really approve of & yet she still possesses the sad quality that makes you feel really bad for her & your sympathy takes you till the end with her even as you dislike her choices. The author has a way about writing of people's unhappiness in a way that makes you connect to it whether you've felt similar things or not. The Lev character surprised me because I started out liking him very much & then not liking him much at all. Yet like with Anna K. there's also a certain amount of sympathy for his plight. Both characters seemed trapped by so many things, their circumstances, their families, everyone's expectations & most of all, above everything else, their own fantasies on how their lives should be. It's where their downfall lies & also where the story keeps its heart, the place inside where you want things to be a certain magical, perfect way as opposed to how things really are. Without giving the ending away, I saw it coming & agreed wholeheartedly with it, it was the only way to end it. I will definitely read more from this author, for a debut novel this was stellar.
November 23, 2008
I really love Anna Karenina, and I'm eager to go back and re-read it now. I remember Tolstoy's characters being much more likeable, but I'm not sure if that's because they were written better or with more empathy ... or whether it's easier to sympathize with characters dealing with the constraints of their time.
Anna K in modern NYC has more liberation and, despite the trappings of culture (expectations for Russian-American Jews) and wealth (trying to live up to it), it's hard to like her. I can feel pity for her, but that's about all -- when I don't see her doing anything to help herself out of her situation.
I'm usually against covering the classics, but despite not attaching to any of the characters, I did enjoy this book. Perhaps because it proved just what a classic Anna Karenina really is.
Anna K in modern NYC has more liberation and, despite the trappings of culture (expectations for Russian-American Jews) and wealth (trying to live up to it), it's hard to like her. I can feel pity for her, but that's about all -- when I don't see her doing anything to help herself out of her situation.
I'm usually against covering the classics, but despite not attaching to any of the characters, I did enjoy this book. Perhaps because it proved just what a classic Anna Karenina really is.
March 18, 2009
I enjoyed this book probably as much for its detailed accounting of Russian immigrant life as anything. Reyn's prose is rich and fulfilling, but the story of "Anna Karenina" was always depressing, and it seems even more so when transplanted to modern day New York. And Anna herself is not a character that evokes a great deal of sympathy in my soul. However, after breezing through the Twilight series, this type of writing was a nice change of pace.
I would also suggest that anyone too "taken" with the beautiful fantasy world of love in "Twilight" should read "What Happened to Anna K?" It gives you a bit of a jolt to realize that living in a fantasy world can often have devastating consequences - - -
I would also suggest that anyone too "taken" with the beautiful fantasy world of love in "Twilight" should read "What Happened to Anna K?" It gives you a bit of a jolt to realize that living in a fantasy world can often have devastating consequences - - -
February 23, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. Anna Karenina is one of my all time favorite books and in this novel, Irina Reyn updates the story to contemporary NYC. Specifically, this Anna K lives in Rego Park in the Russian-Bukharian immigrant community. I especially enjoyed the glimpses into this world, a world I actually know something about since I lived in Rego Park for about ten years and knew many Georgian immigrants, plus some Russians and Bukharians.
July 17, 2009
A very sad story about love, loss, immigration, religion, bad decisions. The lead character, Anna K, first generation American and from a Russian, Bukharian Jewish background, makes one bad decision after another trying to find her way in the chaos of NYC and the United States. None of the characters are likeable and least of all Anna K, but her story is so sad that by the end, I was routing for her to pull herself together and do the right thing but that was not in the cards.
March 12, 2013
what happened to Anna k hits all the major plot points of Anna Karenina but with none of the nuance, character development, or charm of the original. the only good thing that can be said about this book is that it's an easy ready and you'll be done with it quickly. For a much more rewarding read go with Tolstoy.
April 6, 2017
Love. Love. Love.
This books affects me more each time i read it. Adoring Anna Karenina like I do, I never expected to enjoy a re-telling. But I do. It's haunting and lyrical. And so so sad.
This books affects me more each time i read it. Adoring Anna Karenina like I do, I never expected to enjoy a re-telling. But I do. It's haunting and lyrical. And so so sad.
July 17, 2019
I imagine there are a plethora of reviews deeming Reyn's Anna as "unlikable". That's accurate, although it should not negate the legitimacy of the character. She is real, and I recognized character traits and character flaws within her that made me feel legitimately uncomfortable.
I don't remember Tolstoy's Anna being unlikable, but I was also very young when I read AK. It's time to revisit the unhappy family of Tolstoy's creation. Did he understand women as well as Ms. Reyn does? I do remember that he excelled at using the environment (cultural, political, natural) to motivate the attitudes and choices of his characters, and Ms. Reyn deftly incorporates these elements in her early 21st Century American novel.
She creates a tale of Russian immigrants, who, with their culture and heritage, seem destined to fulfill these roles from Russian literature. Her Anna dwells on novels and poetry, and Lev on his foreign films, giving their own plots a meta quality that I did not dislike.
I don't remember Tolstoy's Anna being unlikable, but I was also very young when I read AK. It's time to revisit the unhappy family of Tolstoy's creation. Did he understand women as well as Ms. Reyn does? I do remember that he excelled at using the environment (cultural, political, natural) to motivate the attitudes and choices of his characters, and Ms. Reyn deftly incorporates these elements in her early 21st Century American novel.
She creates a tale of Russian immigrants, who, with their culture and heritage, seem destined to fulfill these roles from Russian literature. Her Anna dwells on novels and poetry, and Lev on his foreign films, giving their own plots a meta quality that I did not dislike.
August 13, 2009
"What Happened to Anna K." is a modern day version of Anna Karenina. I loved "Anna Karenina" but did find some of the political and farming discussions to be a bit over my head. In the modern version there was nothing that was over my head and it made for a fast read. I believe the characters were better developed in Tolstoy's original (that is why it is the classic). I found them more enjoyable in Tolstoy's and in fact felt attached to certain characters...especially Levin. The names are changed in the modern version a bit like Levin is called Lev and Anna's affair is with David not Vronsky. The characters are Jewish Russian immigrants to America and the story takes place in New York not Russia. I still found Anna to be selfish and immature. The plot is very similar with different twists. Anna and David are very poor verses Anna and Vronsky being able to travel and splurge on things. Lev is a pharmacist not a farmer. I loved Levin's engagment scene in "Anna Karenina" by writing in chalk. Nothing so cute in this version.
I would recommend this book only if you have read "Anna Karenina" because the original is so much better and I feel like you are missing out on a better story if you only read this version. If you have read the original I strongly recommend reading this if you want another version of the story. It is good, but I cannot rate it very high when comparing to a much better novel. You may be able to be more in touch with the characters, but they just aren't the same wonderful characters that Tolstoy brought to life. In the author's acknowledgements she said it right..."This novel would doubtlessly appall him, but I owe a special debt of gratitude to Tolstoy, whose "Anna Karenina" never ceases to astound and inspire." I agree it would appall him and that "Anna Karenina" never ceases to astound and inspire.
I would recommend this book only if you have read "Anna Karenina" because the original is so much better and I feel like you are missing out on a better story if you only read this version. If you have read the original I strongly recommend reading this if you want another version of the story. It is good, but I cannot rate it very high when comparing to a much better novel. You may be able to be more in touch with the characters, but they just aren't the same wonderful characters that Tolstoy brought to life. In the author's acknowledgements she said it right..."This novel would doubtlessly appall him, but I owe a special debt of gratitude to Tolstoy, whose "Anna Karenina" never ceases to astound and inspire." I agree it would appall him and that "Anna Karenina" never ceases to astound and inspire.
September 9, 2010
For the most part I think this was well written but the strengths of the characters that made me love Tolstoy's original didn't seem to be present. When I initially started reading Anna Karenina, it was easy for me to identify w/ and admire the strengths of certain characters (i.e. Levin's righteousness and passion or Alexei's victimhood and uprightness) and also despise the negative characteristics of other characters (i.e. Vronsky's amorality and Anna's dishonesty and selfishness). What I liked the most about the book was that the further I read, the more I began to become empathetic towards the same characters I had previously despised and view them w/ pity more than disgust.
With Reyn's adaptation though, try as I might, I was unable to feel anything positive towards any of these souls regardless of my love for them in their previous incarnations. She removed the traits that made them admirable or worth taking the effort to empathize with. Levin is still boorish and full of gaffe...but lacks the virtue and passion to make him worthwile. Alexei is left underdeveloped, a two dimensional character that the reader can't possibly feel any sympathy towards. David (i.e. Vronsky) is neither dashing nor brave...just a romantically-fickle and cowardly failed-pedant. Regarding Anna, I'll just say that the only reaction I had when her fate manifested was the urge to say "Good riddance." out loud.
That said, the beauty of Tolstoy is his ability to create such multifaceted literature than individuals enjoy it individually...or different readers enjoy different aspects of it. So I still recommend others read this. Reyn losing in a comparison against Tolstoy is not necessarily a loss for her...most authors I enjoy would fair no better. She is a competent writer and you have to admire the courage required to take on an undertaking like this.
With Reyn's adaptation though, try as I might, I was unable to feel anything positive towards any of these souls regardless of my love for them in their previous incarnations. She removed the traits that made them admirable or worth taking the effort to empathize with. Levin is still boorish and full of gaffe...but lacks the virtue and passion to make him worthwile. Alexei is left underdeveloped, a two dimensional character that the reader can't possibly feel any sympathy towards. David (i.e. Vronsky) is neither dashing nor brave...just a romantically-fickle and cowardly failed-pedant. Regarding Anna, I'll just say that the only reaction I had when her fate manifested was the urge to say "Good riddance." out loud.
That said, the beauty of Tolstoy is his ability to create such multifaceted literature than individuals enjoy it individually...or different readers enjoy different aspects of it. So I still recommend others read this. Reyn losing in a comparison against Tolstoy is not necessarily a loss for her...most authors I enjoy would fair no better. She is a competent writer and you have to admire the courage required to take on an undertaking like this.
September 1, 2008
I've never read Anna Karenina. This novel is a modern twist on a character based on the Anna Karenina of Tolstoy's imagination. Here's what I liked.
The idea that the character can be placed anywere in time anywhere in the world and still be believable.
The milieu of the characters and the Russian Jewish immigrant community of the NY boroughs, of which I am a product.
The fact that not all readers of this novel will have an inkling of the "inside jokes" written herein. Things like, zakuski, or the way Russian Jewish immigrant women tend to wear overpriced, underquality ostentatious clothes that don't fit their bodies, or how Russian Jewish immigrant men are sort of selfish but protective, how business schemes are always just that: schemes.
Here's what I didn't like:
The story hit too close to home for me. It was as if I was sitting with my mom and she was basically telling me the story of someone we know. As I said, I know the community, lived in it, and still find myself there when I visit my family.
I didnt like how the characterization of Jewish Americans within the Russian Jewish immigrant community are there to "visit, but would never buy a home there" type of mentality.
But then again, maybe it hit too close to home for me. Coming out of this, I feel a bit depressed. And, I have no interest in reading Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. If in the original character, she is as selfish and myopic as in this novel, then she is not someone I'd want to get to know.
Then again, maybe it hit me too close to home.
The idea that the character can be placed anywere in time anywhere in the world and still be believable.
The milieu of the characters and the Russian Jewish immigrant community of the NY boroughs, of which I am a product.
The fact that not all readers of this novel will have an inkling of the "inside jokes" written herein. Things like, zakuski, or the way Russian Jewish immigrant women tend to wear overpriced, underquality ostentatious clothes that don't fit their bodies, or how Russian Jewish immigrant men are sort of selfish but protective, how business schemes are always just that: schemes.
Here's what I didn't like:
The story hit too close to home for me. It was as if I was sitting with my mom and she was basically telling me the story of someone we know. As I said, I know the community, lived in it, and still find myself there when I visit my family.
I didnt like how the characterization of Jewish Americans within the Russian Jewish immigrant community are there to "visit, but would never buy a home there" type of mentality.
But then again, maybe it hit too close to home for me. Coming out of this, I feel a bit depressed. And, I have no interest in reading Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. If in the original character, she is as selfish and myopic as in this novel, then she is not someone I'd want to get to know.
Then again, maybe it hit me too close to home.
Read
January 26, 2018It's rare that a modern retelling can be better than the original. To be honest, I'm not sure that's what happened here, but I do know that I don't feel like I need to go read Anna Karenina now, and that's a cool thing.
Anna, a 30-something New Yorker in the Jewish Russian immigrant community, finally settles down because she feels like she's supposed to. Alex K. seems nice enough, he's financially stable, and it'll finally get her mother off her back. Of course, no sooner is she settled than she meets David, who's dating her cousin Katia, who's being pursued by Lev. It's a modern soap opera fraught with the tensions of both unrequited and unacceptable love.
Anna is the kind of woman you'd love to hate, but you can't quite muster up enough feeling for her to do so. Which, actually, is part of this story's brilliance - drawing an unlikable protagonist while keeping the reader engaged is difficult to do, but I think Irina Reyn does it very well. The tragedy at the end of the book is quietly devastating, all the more so because of its realism.
Anna, a 30-something New Yorker in the Jewish Russian immigrant community, finally settles down because she feels like she's supposed to. Alex K. seems nice enough, he's financially stable, and it'll finally get her mother off her back. Of course, no sooner is she settled than she meets David, who's dating her cousin Katia, who's being pursued by Lev. It's a modern soap opera fraught with the tensions of both unrequited and unacceptable love.
Anna is the kind of woman you'd love to hate, but you can't quite muster up enough feeling for her to do so. Which, actually, is part of this story's brilliance - drawing an unlikable protagonist while keeping the reader engaged is difficult to do, but I think Irina Reyn does it very well. The tragedy at the end of the book is quietly devastating, all the more so because of its realism.
September 6, 2016
An interesting concept ruined by unlikeable characters. Tolstoy's Anna was the model aristocratic wife who suddenly became repulsed with her conventional lifestyle and St. Petersburg society. The Anna here is a dreamer. She's hot and reads books, but there isn't much to recommend her. She's self-absorbed, and I somehow can't see her mediating the marital spat of a close relative.
Lev (the Levin counterpart) is equally pretentious and you don't get the sense he learns anything at the end. While Levin realizes the importance of family, One gets the feeling Lev is merely resigned to this life.
Reyn is a good writer though and I do appreciate her characterizations of the familiar establishments. The book is a quick read, and I finished it after two round trips from Forest Hills to Lower Manhattan. As an aside, the neighborhood has changed from how Reyn described it. You are now more likely to run into the priced out of Manhattan David types at some gastro pub than you are to see Lev and his buddies.
Lev (the Levin counterpart) is equally pretentious and you don't get the sense he learns anything at the end. While Levin realizes the importance of family, One gets the feeling Lev is merely resigned to this life.
Reyn is a good writer though and I do appreciate her characterizations of the familiar establishments. The book is a quick read, and I finished it after two round trips from Forest Hills to Lower Manhattan. As an aside, the neighborhood has changed from how Reyn described it. You are now more likely to run into the priced out of Manhattan David types at some gastro pub than you are to see Lev and his buddies.
March 22, 2009
I really wanted to read this becasue EW called it one of the best of 2008. Having devoted myself to Anna Karenina for a period of time (that was not a quick read as this was...) I found the concept of this book intriguing. There are some problems with this book, however, and with the very concept of it. Anna Karenina is a Russian book set in a time very different from our own. The beliefs, customs and culture are foreign to what we understand today. Therefore, I find it difficult to buy this 2008 version of that Russian tale, even if it does have Russian-Americans in it. Anna Karenina was tragic, controlled by society; Anna K. was pathetic, shallow, self-abosrbed. Apples and oranges. It was an entertaining read and I read it to the end. Reyn's word choice and placement are the true stars of the book. But anyone looking to be awed by the next Tolstoy should look elsewhere. This is not the second coming!
March 6, 2009
"It's a great idea, but...", Liz said when she gave it to me. And she was right. Great idea. In fact, I love the idea of retelling Anna Karenina in today's world. And some parts of the book, particularly the opening and the visits via the story to Brooklyn and Queens, delighted me. It's that "but" that is the kicker. I found myself slogging through the middle part, wondering if it was all worth it. (After all, I know how the real one ends. It's only a matter of curiosity to see if it's a subway or the MTA in this book.) In the end, I think I prefer my Anna in Russia rather than New York, but I really admire the vision it took to write this.
I've rated this 3 stars for the delight it did give me and for the author's vision with the whole concept. That the execution didn't please me might be my shortcoming, not the author's. I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt.
I've rated this 3 stars for the delight it did give me and for the author's vision with the whole concept. That the execution didn't please me might be my shortcoming, not the author's. I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt.
July 4, 2011
This hit too close to home, but that is not the reason I did not give it more stars. The book is a modern day Anna Karenina story set in Rego Park, Queens where my family is from. It is very well written and definitely a page turner. While Reyn, who also grew up in Rego Park and whose family immigrated from Moscow when she was 7 describes many details of neighborhood and immigrant life with uncanny, insider accuracy, she focuses on only a narrow aspect of it, which is what made it frustrating for me to read. I felt like various elements of the ethnic experience were used to drive the plot, rather than the reverse. Another issue I had was the fact that you know exactly how the story will end before you even start to read the book (although, admittedly, the title is very appropriate). Overall, it was an enjoyable, albeit frustrating read for me, (which is probably my fault for taking the book too seriously), and I would recommend it.
May 16, 2015
It's impossible to easily review any book that is a modern version of a classic. I am not opposed to the concept, and I think this take on Anna Karenina was certainly done in an interesting and sensible way. The problem was I found myself constantly distracted by the original. It's hard not to want to compare the two - that is half the fun and half the reason to read the update - but it's been a few years since I read Anna Karenina. Instead of thinking about the strengths of this book, I was always trying to recall if and how things happened originally. Overall, I thought the reimaginings of Anna and Levin were apt, especially in the first half, though I wasn't entirely certain of the way their characters progressed. Other characters I was less certain of, though I was never sure if that was due to my memory or the author. I think this was certainly a good effort, though it is incredibly difficult to take it in based on its own merits.
February 19, 2009
I enjoyed this book-it is based on the character Anna Karenina given to us by Lev Tolstoy. An interesting interpretation of how her life might have been in the present day- being a Russian immigrant in New York living among other Russian immigrants and feeling the tug of the new against the traditions of the past.
Not one of my favorites- reading was more of a labor than sheer delight- when pages are turned without even realizing it and I am swallowed whole by the story and only emerge when jilted by some un-ignorable incident.
One of my favorite parts of this book is how well the author captures the struggle of getting older- of suddenly recognizing that you are aging- your body is changing- and it seems as if an alien has taken over your body- you look in the mirror and the reflection that stares back is a stranger.
Not one of my favorites- reading was more of a labor than sheer delight- when pages are turned without even realizing it and I am swallowed whole by the story and only emerge when jilted by some un-ignorable incident.
One of my favorite parts of this book is how well the author captures the struggle of getting older- of suddenly recognizing that you are aging- your body is changing- and it seems as if an alien has taken over your body- you look in the mirror and the reflection that stares back is a stranger.
September 10, 2009
Just like Anna Karenina, it becomes clear very early on that this story is NOT going to have a happy ending. Here Anna Karenina is living and behaving badly in today's Queens--her parents emigrated from Russia when she was a child. She has a job, working in publishing (!) selling foreign rights. As the story goes,she's in her mid 30s, single and begins to feel pressured by the Russian Jewish community. Soon, she meets a dull, but respectful and wealthy man and....as you know it's not happily ever after. Interesting details about the Bukharan (sp) Jewish community in Rego Park as well. Example: And I'm hoping this isn't standard, but many of the Bukharan women in this novel CUT their husband's meat for them! Back to the story--it may sound kind of chick lit, and there might be shades of that, but I thought it was a really rich retelling of the story.
December 22, 2008
I was excited to read this book, intrigued by the idea of Anna's character. Towards the middle of the book, I felt it drag. The only character I found remotely likeable was Katia, Anna's younger cousin, and only because I felt sorry for her being overshadowed by Anna. Overall, I found the characters dull and underdeveloped. I think we, as readers, are supposed to feel sorry for Anna, but I just kept getting annoyed by her and her stupid, selfish "choices". About the last third of the book, finishing it felt like a chore, but I did finish it only to find myself relieved with the ending. I must admit I don't know anything about Russian heritage or immigrants, so maybe that is the problem with my lack of understanding and enjoyment of this book.
March 2, 2012
I purchased this book awhile ago, while I was still in the middle of the original Anna Karenina, anticipating wanting to read a modern take on the story. Early on, I thought it would be interesting to see how it could translate to a contemporary setting, how it might compare and what may be different due to technology and possibly location.
The first thing I noticed was how well the author managed to capture the same tone that existed in the original novel. It’s hard to describe, and maybe the tone exists in the original because it’s a translation, but I got the same feel out of this novel and I really enjoyed that.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=3391
The first thing I noticed was how well the author managed to capture the same tone that existed in the original novel. It’s hard to describe, and maybe the tone exists in the original because it’s a translation, but I got the same feel out of this novel and I really enjoyed that.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=3391
March 24, 2012
If you liked Anna Karenina, and you can enjoy intimate humor from the lives of Russian Jewish immigrants in contemporary Rego Park and Brighton Beach, you will -- as I did -- love this book. I found it by chance in the Hedgebrook library, and picked it up because I had recently reread Anna Karenina (the real one). Once I did, I couldn't put it down. Reyn adheres to key themes, characters and plot points of the great Tolstoy, but has a keen wit, a deliciously breezy style, and a deep insight into what happens to people when they are uprooted from their homeland and try different ways to adapt to a changing landscape. I loved this book and highly recommend. Even if you already know the ending.
July 16, 2012
At first, the experience of reading this book was like Anna's relationship with the man who became her husband: it wasn't thrilling, but it was easy to go along with. However, midway through the book the plot picked up and swept me along. The world Irina Reyn created feels very real. You can see it. You can hear the voices. You can even smell the food. And she lets you in on Anna's inner world, from her childhood in Russia to her coming of age as the daughter of Russian defectors making a new life in New York City. By the time Anna's choices begin to catch up with her, I was hooked. What Happened to Anna K is a modern retelling of Anna Karenina, but it stands alone as a good story in its own right.
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