Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11351 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-30
• Binding: Paperback
• 864 pages

Synopsis
Acclaimed by many as the world's greatest novel, this is the story of a wife, Anna Karenina, who abandons her empty existence as the wife of a Petersburg government minister for a passionate relationship with a young officer, Count Vronsky.

Customer Reviews

Hype or Hope?
The translations of Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky have been much praised for making the Russian masters more accessible. I'm afraid I find this one often strained and dull. Opening 'Anna' at random I read this: 'After seeing her guests off, Anna began pacing up and down the room without sitting down' (page 704). Apart from the clunky 'down, down', could Anna really have paced her room standing up?

It isn't as difficult as you might think
I was apprehensive about reading this book. I have no idea why but I was. I'd had this book on my shelves for 5 years and a friend said they had a copy - why didn't we read it together. So we did. It helped knowing someone was reading it with me, however I didn't need it as support in the end but I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions. This book is marvellous and I can't believe I have left it so long to read it. I would even consider reading it again at some point and I would love to watch a film version of it. It was marvellous!

I think the length was what initially put me off, plus it's a 'classic' and aren't they meant to be boring and not much fun? Not this one. It is a good job though that Tolstoy is such a good writer though, as the print is very challenging - it's quite condensed, making an already lengthy novel seem even more difficult. Enough is known about this novel, I think, to not go into the plot but in case you don't know about it; there is a helpful list of characters at the front of the novel. Combine this with an excellent notes section at the back and you are in for a compelling read.

There were a few sections where I was itching for something else to happen, I wasn't as interested in the farming sections as some might be but they were equally as well written. His description of the characters is excellent, they are so vividly portrayed that they are they right in front of you. Cleverly written, with hidden details that you have to search for this novel will not disappoint. I will definitely go on to read more Tolstoy, preferrably with the same translators as I feel this had a huge impact on my enjoyment.

I enjoyed doing a little research as I was reading - I did find the Oprah site useful for futher information as it had been one of her reading group reads. It was interesting to see how much of Tolstoy himself and his life appears in the plot and characters.

Beyond Great
To me, Tolstoy is the Bach of literature. Every page reads like a luminous jewel, both engrossing and educational (in the best sense); Anna Karenina is also highly entertaining. Never a dull moment. I thoroughly agree with the reviewer who said that this is 'everything a novel should be.' Perfect in EVERY way!!