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Kevin Ansbro's Reviews > Anna Karenina
Anna Karenina
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by
Kevin Ansbro's review
bookshelves: classic-literature, favourites, gentle-humour, human-emotions, literature-for-grown-ups, morality, social-awkwardness, russian-literature
Sep 17, 2016
bookshelves: classic-literature, favourites, gentle-humour, human-emotions, literature-for-grown-ups, morality, social-awkwardness, russian-literature
"Leo Tolstoy would meet hatred expressed in violence by love expressed in self-suffering."
—Mahatma Gandhi
Through reading this praiseworthy classic, I have been forced to recalibrate my previously unreliable view of this celebrated author.
You see, I was force-fed Tolstoy at college (his writing, not his flesh, silly! Mine wasn't a college for cannibals!) and at the time only carried War and Peace under one arm so I might appear cleverer than I actually was.
So, how amazed was I that Anna K has shown me the fun side to Leo T? He is slyly hilarious. How did I not know this?
Please note that I haven't read this novel in Russian Cyrillic. I acknowledge that my perception owes a great deal to the amazing interpretive work of the translators, but let's imagine that we in the West have enjoyed his work as the great man intended.
The title is something of a misnomer and doesn't do justice to an endearing love story that also captures the disparity between city and country life in 19th-century Russia.
For a start, Anna K isn't the star of the show. That billing falls to our anti-hero, Konstantin Dmitrich Levin, a socially awkward, highly intelligent loner who considers himself to be an ugly fellow with no redeemable qualities.
Despite being weighed down by all this existential angst, he worships Kitty Shcherbatskaya, an attractive young princess whom he believes to be out of his league.
Kitty is described as being "as easy to find in a crowd as a rose among nettles."
Tolstoy goes to great lengths to make us understand the inner workings of Levin's mind (For Tolstoy, read Levin: they are one and the same).
Levin's love rival, raffishly handsome Count Vronsky, couldn't be more dissimilar. He is socially adept and careful not to offend, whereas Levin could probably start an argument with a goldfish.
What a fabulous read this is.
Tolstoy's levity and perspicacity shine from every page and the badinage between the main characters is exquisitely observed.
He does though have an idiosyncratic way of writing: adjectives are thickly laid on with a trowel and he loves to use repetition to emphasise a point.
Anna herself is fascinating, and to affirm just how fascinating she is, Tolstoy employs the word fascinating seven times in one paragraph! Look! I've even started doing it myself! How fascinating!
When not beating you about the head with repetition, the Russian master can do majestic descriptive imagery as well as anyone. One simple scene, where Kitty collapses into a low chair, her ball gown rising about her like a cloud, was just perfectly captured.
This is a wonderful story of fated love and aristocratic hypocrisy.
Tolstoy uses Levin as his political mouthpiece to rail against the ills of late 19th-century Russia, and the author's philosophy of non-violent pacifism also directly influenced none other than Mahatma Gandhi.
Anna Karenina is often cited as 'one of the best books ever written'.
So who am I to disagree?
—Mahatma Gandhi
Through reading this praiseworthy classic, I have been forced to recalibrate my previously unreliable view of this celebrated author.
You see, I was force-fed Tolstoy at college (his writing, not his flesh, silly! Mine wasn't a college for cannibals!) and at the time only carried War and Peace under one arm so I might appear cleverer than I actually was.
So, how amazed was I that Anna K has shown me the fun side to Leo T? He is slyly hilarious. How did I not know this?
Please note that I haven't read this novel in Russian Cyrillic. I acknowledge that my perception owes a great deal to the amazing interpretive work of the translators, but let's imagine that we in the West have enjoyed his work as the great man intended.
The title is something of a misnomer and doesn't do justice to an endearing love story that also captures the disparity between city and country life in 19th-century Russia.
For a start, Anna K isn't the star of the show. That billing falls to our anti-hero, Konstantin Dmitrich Levin, a socially awkward, highly intelligent loner who considers himself to be an ugly fellow with no redeemable qualities.
Despite being weighed down by all this existential angst, he worships Kitty Shcherbatskaya, an attractive young princess whom he believes to be out of his league.
Kitty is described as being "as easy to find in a crowd as a rose among nettles."
Tolstoy goes to great lengths to make us understand the inner workings of Levin's mind (For Tolstoy, read Levin: they are one and the same).
Levin's love rival, raffishly handsome Count Vronsky, couldn't be more dissimilar. He is socially adept and careful not to offend, whereas Levin could probably start an argument with a goldfish.
What a fabulous read this is.
Tolstoy's levity and perspicacity shine from every page and the badinage between the main characters is exquisitely observed.
He does though have an idiosyncratic way of writing: adjectives are thickly laid on with a trowel and he loves to use repetition to emphasise a point.
Anna herself is fascinating, and to affirm just how fascinating she is, Tolstoy employs the word fascinating seven times in one paragraph! Look! I've even started doing it myself! How fascinating!
When not beating you about the head with repetition, the Russian master can do majestic descriptive imagery as well as anyone. One simple scene, where Kitty collapses into a low chair, her ball gown rising about her like a cloud, was just perfectly captured.
This is a wonderful story of fated love and aristocratic hypocrisy.
Tolstoy uses Levin as his political mouthpiece to rail against the ills of late 19th-century Russia, and the author's philosophy of non-violent pacifism also directly influenced none other than Mahatma Gandhi.
Anna Karenina is often cited as 'one of the best books ever written'.
So who am I to disagree?
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Reading Progress
September 9, 2016
–
Started Reading
September 9, 2016
– Shelved
September 17, 2016
– Shelved as:
classic-literature
September 17, 2016
– Shelved as:
favourites
September 17, 2016
– Shelved as:
gentle-humour
September 17, 2016
– Shelved as:
human-emotions
September 17, 2016
– Shelved as:
literature-for-grown-ups
September 17, 2016
– Shelved as:
morality
September 17, 2016
– Shelved as:
social-awkwardness
September 17, 2016
–
Finished Reading
February 19, 2022
– Shelved as:
russian-literature
Comments Showing 1-50 of 142 (142 new)
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by
Julie
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rated it 5 stars
Sep 17, 2016 04:13AM
As ever, Kevin, your reviews are far more entertaining than the novels you read -- be they popular fiction, or the classics. I loved Anna K, as you address her, so charmingly, and yet I love your review more. A great chuckle indeed, at 7 a.m.
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Super duper review, Kevin. I'm sorry you didn't get fed some Tolstoy salami from the 19th century. I've forgotten most of the details about the book actually. Can't really remember what that Levin bloke got up to!
Julie wrote: "As ever, Kevin, your reviews are far more entertaining than the novels you read -- be they popular fiction, or the classics. I loved Anna K, as you address her, so charmingly, and yet I love your r..."I aim to please, Julie! : )
Thank you for reading my review. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this novel, on so many different levels.
Apatt wrote: "Super duper review, Kevin. I'm sorry you didn't get fed some Tolstoy salami from the 19th century. I've forgotten most of the details about the book actually. Can't really remember what that Levin ..."Aww, more than kind, Apatt!
Levin, despite being socially awkward is an admirable chap, who I couldn't help but warm to.
He's a realist who tells things as they are, and despite his sullen, shy, argumentative nature, he wishes to find goodness and some meaning in his life.
Wonderful review, Kevin . Your review makes me want to read it again!
Angela M wrote: "Wonderful review, Kevin . Your review makes me want to read it again!"Thanks, Angela!
This classic was referenced in Three Souls, which is why I thought to read it. So glad I did. I expected something quite dour and tedious. Nothing of the sort! Wonderful novel.
What a fabulous review this is, Kevin. Your "secret superpower" worked its magic again. I read this and had a smile that beat that of the Cheshire Cat. :)
Fascinating review, Kevin! Reading it made me want to revisit it. I am doing exactly that with Madame Bovary, have you read it? From what I remember they have some themes in common. L.
I've been waiting for your review since I saw you were reading Anna K, and as always your review didn't disappoint. Excellent! I've always been fascinated by Tolstoy, and it's easy to see how he poured his our attributes and experiences into Levin. Wonderfully descriptive scenes of the Russian countryside and his love of hunting and farming. You've motivated me to pick this up again and finish before the year's end. So many wonderful scenes- which was your favorite?
Read this a few years ago, Kevin. Your unorthodox review bought it back in a jiffy! Thank you. x
Laysee wrote: "What a fabulous review this is, Kevin. Your "secret superpower" worked its magic again. I read this and had a smile that beat that of the Cheshire Cat. :)"So kind, Laysee!
Thank you for reading my review. You've got me smiling too! : )
Lizzy wrote: "Fascinating review, Kevin! Reading it made me want to revisit it. I am doing exactly that with Madame Bovary, have you read it? From what I remember they have some themes in common. L."I read Madame Bovary a long while ago, Lizzy. I seem to remember a 'grass isn't always greener' moral to the story. Maybe I should return to it one day?
I've just placed a Post-it on your review!
Amanda wrote: "I've been waiting for your review since I saw you were reading Anna K, and as always your review didn't disappoint. Excellent! I've always been fascinated by Tolstoy, and it's easy to see how he po..."Thank you for your kind words, Amanda!
I've since learned more about Tolstoy in the process of reading this book. What a fascinating, principled man!
In sync with you, one of my favourite scenes is where Levin is heading for the hunt. He is uncharacteristically enthusiastic (more at ease in the country than the city) and Tolstoy's descriptive writing also blossoms when the subject matter becomes more rural.
You can sense the synergy between the writer and his literary avatar (Levin).
There's a palatable sense of unbridled joy when the focus is shifted away from the starchiness of aristocratic life in Moscow.
Lovely to share thoughts, Amanda.
This novel was something of a surprise to me. I read it out of a sense of duty, but it swiftly became an absolute pleasure!
Paromjit wrote: "Read this a few years ago, Kevin. Your unorthodox review bought it back in a jiffy! Thank you. x"Thanks, Paromjit!
Always lovely to hear your thoughts!
Fascinating review, Kevin!! :-) I really have had this on my TBR too long, I think, but I must find a month with no other plans to tackle it!
I love your review Kevin! I am going to add this.
Cheri wrote: "Fascinating review, Kevin!! :-) I really have had this on my TBR too long, I think, but I must find a month with no other plans to tackle it!"Thanks for reading my review, Cheri.
Yes, this sweeping novel does deserve some considerable time to be set aside. I was lucky that I had no other distractions!
Melanie wrote: "I love your review Kevin! I am going to add this."Thanks, Melanie!
It's thoroughly deserving of its plaudits.
This is one of my favorite Russian classics. I read it in my teens, and it left a lasting impression on me. I cried. Thanks for reminding me that I have to read it again.
A wonderful review, Kevin, but I can't work out if being force-fed Tolstoy at college is a privilege or an outrage.I do like the passion with which you expose the less expected aspects of this famous classic, especially the humour, the fascinatingness(!).
You were lucky to be assigned Tolstoy in college. I took Russian Lit. and only got his short stories. Too much bandwidth was taken up by Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment (guess my prof preferred the "seer of the mind" to the "seer of the flesh"). And yes, it should be named for Levin, actually. His story won the day over hers. At least for me. I much easier call than War and Peace. I still can't decide which I preferred--the "War" chapters or the "Peace." I'm leaning "Peace," though.
Roberta wrote: "This is one of my favorite Russian classics. I read it in my teens, and it left a lasting impression on me. I cried. Thanks for reminding me that I have to read it again."Please do that, Roberta. It's a very rewarding read, and you might just cry again!
Cecily wrote: "A wonderful review, Kevin, but I can't work out if being force-fed Tolstoy at college is a privilege or an outrage.I do like the passion with which you expose the less expected aspects of this fa..."
I never liked Tolstoy at college (not that he went to my college). My tutors also encouraged us to read Thomas Hardy, George Eliot, Mary Shelley, Chaucer and lovely Charles Dickens (and even an author by the name of Emily Brontë), so it was a pleasurable educative period for most of the time.
Ken wrote: "You were lucky to be assigned Tolstoy in college. I took Russian Lit. and only got his short stories. Too much bandwidth was taken up by Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment (guess my prof preferred t..."Thank you, Ken.
I doubt that I shall ever read War and Peace again though.
I laboured through it as a teenager and even skipped entire chapters, such was my boredom with muddy battlefields!
Never say never though.
Great review Kevin! You know, I'm embarrassed to say that I started reading this at one point and was very confused.
Karen wrote: "Great review Kevin! You know, I'm embarrassed to say that I started reading this at one point and was very confused."Thanks, Karen!
Please don't be confused.
When the time's right, perhaps give it another whirl? I think it's worth the effort.
Kevin wrote: "Karen wrote: "Great review Kevin! You know, I'm embarrassed to say that I started reading this at one point and was very confused."Thanks, Karen!
Please don't be confused.
When the time's right, ..."
Thanks, I'll try again at some point :)
Wonderfully thought-provoking review, Kevin, a great pleasure to read, as usual! Thanks so much.
I have this book on my TBR, hopefully will get to it sooner than later. Thanks for sparking up my motivation to pick it up!!
What a gift you have for zeroing in on what’s important / relevant in a story, to share with us, very helpful to the reader, and always so eloquently, too. I so enjoy reading your reviews.
I have a spattering of familiarity with Tolstoy's What Is Art? His ideas resonate with me.
Altogether, a fascinating and intriguing man, and influential artist.
I think we should reserve a seat for him at our personages-of-the-past soirée!!
Thanks again, Kevin. :-)
I have this book on my TBR, hopefully will get to it sooner than later. Thanks for sparking up my motivation to pick it up!!
What a gift you have for zeroing in on what’s important / relevant in a story, to share with us, very helpful to the reader, and always so eloquently, too. I so enjoy reading your reviews.
I have a spattering of familiarity with Tolstoy's What Is Art? His ideas resonate with me.
Altogether, a fascinating and intriguing man, and influential artist.
I think we should reserve a seat for him at our personages-of-the-past soirée!!
Thanks again, Kevin. :-)
Anne wrote: "Wonderfully thought-provoking review, Kevin, a great pleasure to read, as usual! Thanks so much.I have this book on my TBR, hopefully will get to it sooner than later. Thanks for sparking up my m..."
Thanks for the kind words, Anne!
Yes, it would be lovely if the powers of the cosmos could enable us to meet some of the greats from the past.
That said, I would need a translator for Mr Tolstoy!
Kevin wrote: "Anne wrote: "Wonderfully thought-provoking review, Kevin, a great pleasure to read, as usual! Thanks so much.
I have this book on my TBR, hopefully will get to it sooner than later. Thanks for spa..."
After a couple of stiff wodkas, rum grog with Sir William, a spot of absinthe with Wilde, a skull cap toast with Lord Byron - and I take Paul Newman as a beer drinker? - we'll all be singing the same song. ;-)
I have this book on my TBR, hopefully will get to it sooner than later. Thanks for spa..."
After a couple of stiff wodkas, rum grog with Sir William, a spot of absinthe with Wilde, a skull cap toast with Lord Byron - and I take Paul Newman as a beer drinker? - we'll all be singing the same song. ;-)
Wonderful review Kevin. Fun, cheeky and respectful :)
Elyse wrote: "Hi Kevin...I enjoyed your review from start to finish... college years ....'
to your 'fascinating' discovery. Intriguing!
Lovely review!"
You are always more than kind, Elyse!
Thank you for reading my review!
Jaidee wrote: "Wonderful review Kevin. Fun, cheeky and respectful :)"Thanks, Jaidee!
Fun, cheeky and respectful: I should use that on my author bio! : )
Kevin, I still have not read this, but I hope to read it someday, maybe next year. Everyone that has ever mentioned having read it to me has raved about how wonderful it is. Wonderful review, but with a healthy dose of your humour!
I haven't read it yet, but like Cheri said, everyone who has read it, positive !!So, its on my TRL and I hope that I can huddle in my favourite reading place at home with a good hot cup of tea and enjoy.
Thanks Kevin.
Cheri wrote: "Kevin, I still have not read this, but I hope to read it someday, maybe next year. Everyone that has ever mentioned having read it to me has raved about how wonderful it is. Wonderful review, but w..."Thanks, Cheri.
I've been meaning to read it for decades, but always imagined it would be boring. Not so!
And thank you for your kind words, as they are always appreciated! : )
Dean wrote: "I haven't read it yet, but like Cheri said, everyone who has read it, positive !!So, its on my TRL and I hope that I can huddle in my favourite reading place at home with a good hot cup of tea and..."
Thanks, Dean!
I hope that when you take the plunge, you'll find the read as enjoyable as most others have.
Much of the writing is florid, and of its time, but it's all the better for it. What surprised me most was Tolstoy's impish sense of fun!
Thanks to you too, Kevin.You have made me very curious of what I can expect to confront.
Have a nice day an good readings.
Dean:)
PS:I'll always have loved the classics.
Dean:)
Great review, Kevin. I always wanted to read this classic, and your review made me put this one in my priority list of reading for next year.
Piyangie wrote: "Great review, Kevin. I always wanted to read this classic, and your review made me put this one in my priority list of reading for next year."Oh, that's terrific news, Piyangie!
I shall consider that my good deed for the day.
Thank you for reading my review!
You are not one to disagree. I read this earlier this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love how Tolstoy is accessible and hope to tackle War and Peace next yead.
Brina wrote: "You are not one to disagree. I read this earlier this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love how Tolstoy is accessible and hope to tackle War and Peace next yead."He definitely is accessible, Brina.
I imagine a lot of people avoid his novels, imagining them to be too scholarly. But he's a pussycat really!
Good luck with War and Peace though; great novel, but a war of attrition nevertheless.
Thanks for the comment, Brina!
Fantastic review, Kevin. I have shied away from this book as I had such an unrewarding experience with War and Peace. However, I am reconsidering that, Perhaps this will make a fine winter's read.
Marialyce wrote: "Fantastic review, Kevin. I have shied away from this book as I had such an unrewarding experience with War and Peace. However, I am reconsidering that, Perhaps this will make a fine winter's read."Thanks, Marialyce!
This is much more reader-friendly than War and Peace. And yes, a fine read, snuggled indoors on wintry days.
Fascinating review, Kevin. I'm fascinated by how this reread changed your view of this book from tedious to fascinating! Indeed, 'tis fascinating how maturity and freely choosing to read something can change one's perception of a story. I fear I did not progress far into this book when I was on a Russian lit kick in high school. Perhaps I too could be equally fascinated as you were if I ever revisited this classic. Thank you for the amusing and good review.
Lata wrote: "Fascinating review, Kevin. I'm fascinated by how this reread changed your view of this book from tedious to fascinating! Indeed, 'tis fascinating how maturity and freely choosing to read something ..."So very kind, Lata. I hope you do grant it the second chance it deserves.
Maturity has a way of making one appreciate the finer subtleties of life!
Brilliant review, Kevin!
Paula wrote: "Brilliant review, Kevin!"Thanks, Paula. I noticed you loved it too!
A superb review of a book I must set aside *some* time to read! And to comment on your last comment / question in your review... who are you to disagree? Why you're the reader, the only reader that should really matter to you so your opinion is everything!
