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mirrorofneptune's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- 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 Anna: 4/5
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 🙏🏻
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 🙏🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Mental illness
Minor: Infidelity
cowboyariel's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Justice for anna. I hate men
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Big TW for suicide & suicidal thoughtslachiemorris's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My favourite Tolstoy work so far. Insightful in its reflective nature on life and love, while also giving a pretty decent plot to get invested in. Characters were well fleshed out, even the small side characters. I particularly enjoyed the last two parts, in comparison to the rest.
A small gripe I had was that I found it odd that the title was Anna Karenina, when the book was much more than that. Often times it would divulge into a 100-page chunk where the titular character wasn't mentioned or seen. But again it's a minute gripe.
For my dislikes, I found it rather annoying when Tolstoy decides to spend 8 chapters on a character mowing with a scythe, or when he finds it imperative to the plot to explain things that in no way shape or form should be mentioned. Along with this, I find at times he halts the plot to explain his own views on things through his characters. When its intriguing I don't mind, but when its not its painstakingly obvious and at times a slog. And for this reason I found the first half to be often times slow, as characters are being shown to the reader through their views. For these reasons it isn't a 5 star.
With Anna's death, I found this part to be the strongest part of the novel. Throughout the book her emotions are palpable and honest for someone with her clear mental illnesses. Her depression is written insanely well, and her 'insanity' is done rather strikingly. I must commend Tolstoy for this in particular.
A small gripe I had was that I found it odd that the title was Anna Karenina, when the book was much more than that. Often times it would divulge into a 100-page chunk where the titular character wasn't mentioned or seen. But again it's a minute gripe.
For my dislikes, I found it rather annoying when Tolstoy decides to spend 8 chapters on a character mowing with a scythe, or when he finds it imperative to the plot to explain things that in no way shape or form should be mentioned. Along with this, I find at times he halts the plot to explain his own views on things through his characters. When its intriguing I don't mind, but when its not its painstakingly obvious and at times a slog. And for this reason I found the first half to be often times slow, as characters are being shown to the reader through their views. For these reasons it isn't a 5 star.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
hjb_128's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcohol, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: War and Racism
jeanned_arc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
elihrus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
This book is a tough one. A lot of philosophy about God and blame... And a lot of pseudo-communism and agriculture. I guess I wouldn't read the 870 pages again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Minor: War and Alcohol
charleyyyyy's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
I can't believe I've finally finished this book. It was worth it though, I think this is a very rewarding read, and I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Grief, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Racism, Suicide, Medical content, War, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Animal death, and Misogyny
catleuumlivro's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
carolinebl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
shawdo's review
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Moderate: Infidelity