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uss_mary_shelley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
I have been meaning to read this for a long time and I am glad I finally have and that I gave myself the time to enjoy it. Right up my street with a tightly woven story involving so much of my favourite things.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Antisemitism
chelsaat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
“If you look for perfection, you'll never be content.”
I finally finished this chonk of a classic! I started this several years ago and hit a wall when I got to the farming section in Part 3. Thanks to a book club I finally braved picking it up again and had a much better time this go round.
When Tolstoy hits, he hits. All of the drama and heartache surrounding Anna and Vronksy…perfection. I just wish we saw more of the titular character throughout the book!! Nothing hit me harder than the tragedy at the end of Part 7. Tolstoy’s depiction of a deadly thought spiral was so realistic it gave me chills.
Levin, on the other hand, exhausted the hell out of me. The only time I enjoyed him was in Part 7, when he’s trying to overcome his anxiety in Society and makes a few comedic blunders. Other than that, his constant moodiness and inner monologues about his faith crisis were just so uninteresting to me. Kitty is a saint for tolerating him, honestly.
Overall though, I’m glad I read this. It doesn’t need to be 800+ pages, but I enjoyed the writing when it was about Russian society and family drama and Anna’s turmoil. Less so the minutiae of farming techniques or provincial elections.
I finally finished this chonk of a classic! I started this several years ago and hit a wall when I got to the farming section in Part 3. Thanks to a book club I finally braved picking it up again and had a much better time this go round.
When Tolstoy hits, he hits. All of the drama and heartache surrounding Anna and Vronksy…perfection. I just wish we saw more of the titular character throughout the book!! Nothing hit me harder than the tragedy at the end of Part 7. Tolstoy’s depiction of a deadly thought spiral was so realistic it gave me chills.
Levin, on the other hand, exhausted the hell out of me. The only time I enjoyed him was in Part 7, when he’s trying to overcome his anxiety in Society and makes a few comedic blunders. Other than that, his constant moodiness and inner monologues about his faith crisis were just so uninteresting to me. Kitty is a saint for tolerating him, honestly.
Overall though, I’m glad I read this. It doesn’t need to be 800+ pages, but I enjoyed the writing when it was about Russian society and family drama and Anna’s turmoil. Less so the minutiae of farming techniques or provincial elections.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts 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
annasbookreviews's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Alcohol
kerrence30's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
The development of Anna, Vronksky, Kitty and Levin is very interesting, and shows a real in-depth understanding of the human psyche. While some of their struggles are particular to the time it is set, others are still relatable. It shows an accurate perception of dealing (or not dealing) with one’s troubles with mental health. Supporting characters are also well developed, giving a sense of familiarity, although the length of the book could be reduced somewhat by slightly less development of lesser characters. Personally less interested in the religious complexities but it does give good context to the time and situation in Russia.
Listened on Audible to understand the emotions felt by characters better than reading extended descriptions and thankful for it.
Listened on Audible to understand the emotions felt by characters better than reading extended descriptions and thankful for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
marleens's review against another edition
challenging
sad
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
3.0
It took a month and a half, but I made it through this famous chunker. I am glad I finally read it, and I loved Lewin and his storyline, but a lot of the rest of the book was either anger-inducing (almost all the Anna parts) or a struggle to read (the politics, religion, philosophy bits). So I feel accomplished about finishing it, and I enjoyed parts of it for sure, but I am also glad it’s done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
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
amaliebdam's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Jeg føler ikke, at jeg kan endeligt lande på et antal stjerner til denne bog. Den er så lang, så trist, men også så helt igennem fascinerende. Jeg er glad for at have læst den, men ønsker ikke umiddelbart at gøre det igen. Det er bare en af de bøger, der er en hel oplevelse i sig selv.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
holliebye's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Infidelity and Suicidal thoughts