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travelling_bookworm's review against another edition
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
4.0
“He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.”
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A heart-breaking tale that touches the very essence of human desire and fear: What if what you have always wanted doesn't bring you the happiness you imagined? What happens once that happiness isn't enough any longer?
Tolstoy has once again written masterfully and with striking force, conveying such raw emotions about betrayal, passion, self-doubt, selfishness, hypocrisy, and jealousy, that has given me emotional whiplash throughout the story. Full of characters that I loved to hate (yes, I said it, and I'm not even sorry), I have never been so frustrated and entertained while reading a classic.
Come for the scandalous 18th century Russian aristocracy. Stay for the opinions on the Russian land reform and the emotional roller coaster.
--------------------
A heart-breaking tale that touches the very essence of human desire and fear: What if what you have always wanted doesn't bring you the happiness you imagined? What happens once that happiness isn't enough any longer?
Tolstoy has once again written masterfully and with striking force, conveying such raw emotions about betrayal, passion, self-doubt, selfishness, hypocrisy, and jealousy, that has given me emotional whiplash throughout the story. Full of characters that I loved to hate (yes, I said it, and I'm not even sorry), I have never been so frustrated and entertained while reading a classic.
Come for the scandalous 18th century Russian aristocracy. Stay for the opinions on the Russian land reform and the emotional roller coaster.
beatriz1998's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."
kyla_mae's review against another edition
5.0
oh. my. god.
If I could give this book all the stars in the world, I would. Everything, from the world building, to the character development, to the plot twists, and even the tragic ending, exceeded all of my expectations I had when I started this book. Tolstoy perfectly utilized the motif of trains to shape Anna’s life and her spiral to mental insanity. I wish I could read the last chapter for the first time again, it was just that good. I will be making this book my whole personality and quoting it for as long as I live.
If I could give this book all the stars in the world, I would. Everything, from the world building, to the character development, to the plot twists, and even the tragic ending, exceeded all of my expectations I had when I started this book. Tolstoy perfectly utilized the motif of trains to shape Anna’s life and her spiral to mental insanity. I wish I could read the last chapter for the first time again, it was just that good. I will be making this book my whole personality and quoting it for as long as I live.
jmoran4's review against another edition
4.5
Contains many of Tolstoy's finer qualities, but clearly surpassed by War and Peace and Resurrection. I remember resonating strongly with Karenina's husband, Karenin.
ekbsports's review against another edition
3.0
First of all, I'm very proud I finished this book in time for book club! It was a very long read and although it was very interesting to include a lot of the historical/political references of the time, there were very large chunks of the book that felt like overkill (i.e., all the talk of the peasantry and new machines for farming). Putting that aside, I absolutely loved the love stories and drama that affected each of the characters. Those parts were very engaging and fun to read.
novel_slayer's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicide, and Classism
wannemachaa's review against another edition
5.0
The feeling I have after reading this book is synonymous to the sensation of completing a marathon. It was long, frustrating at first, full of so many highs and lows of adrenaline. It even had a few boring and seemingly endless parts that I just mindlessly jogged through keeping the finish line in mind. My friends read it at the same time, together enduring the emotional and physical challenge resulting in cross eyed vision for a short time after hours of pouring through pages. And at the end of it all, when I'd finally reached that 817th page finish line, all I wanted to do was collapse on the ground under the warm embrace of an aluminum foil blanket and light a cigarette. Not that I've ever even attempted to run a marathon.
Bravo Tolstoy. This really is one of the greatest novels of all time.
Bravo Tolstoy. This really is one of the greatest novels of all time.
jackt24's review against another edition
5.0
a masterpiece! i found myself relating to nearly every character and relationship at some point in the novel at a deeply human level. concepts and questions that i’ve struggled with (and internalized) are laid bare and explored plainly. never mind that it was written 150 years ago. awesome.