Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Discussion

Getting into this Russian novel after a recent re-read.
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[@georgepalmer5497]

I read this book once, a very long time ago, and there is one quote in on page 388 of the new translation that gives an interesting perspective: "We mustn't forget that the subjection of women is so great and so old that we often refuse to comprehend the abyss that exists between them and us." I forget who said that. I might have to read this book again.

[@clarkewegener9197]

That phrase really struck me too. I believe it was at Oblonskys dinner party where Levin met Karanin.

[@andrews882]

I too have read this book 3 times: in my 20's, 30's and again in my 50's. Each time I have gained something different from the book and have engaged with different narratives within the story. Whilst the love story of Anna and Vronsky is the over-arching storyline, for me the relationship between Levin and Kitty is the real heart of the book; their story provides a counterbalance to the 'main' story. Levin's introspection and his critical view of society are reflective of Tolstoy's own personal conflicts about Russian society at the time. It is a wonderful book. I have bought several copies for people over the years because I feel that it is essential reading for everyone!

[@naomisbookshelf]

Thank you for making this great analysis of Anna Karenina. I was looking up videos in preparation for filming my own discussion and found you. It was a great novel and I am excited to reread it in the future.

[@clarkewegener9197]

Good point about Anna’s morphine addiction. I remember thinking that when I read it but you’re the first I’ve heard mention it on KZbin.

[@serjicalstrike36]

I just read Anna Karenina for the first time, though it took longer than 2 weeks, I can say going into it I didn't believe I would complete the novel. Having finished the book I came out of it with this sense of achievement I didn't think I would have; not to mention I loved every page. Your review was awesome, and I'm already looking forward to the next read through.

[@leonardowerk]

Nice analysis! I finished reading it this weekend. The changes in perspective are really interesting in this book. Tolstoy is able to change very quickly but it's most of the time clear in who's mind we are in at each moment. Also loved the dog's part. The Cave, by the Portuguese writer José Saramago (one of my favorites), also has a scene from a dog's perspective that is really interesting. One thing 'veI experienced differently from you was the final part. That's one of the parts I've loved the most, and I cried a whole lot while reading it (just like I did when Kitty was giving birth). I think the final philosophical realizations by Levin close the book with an interesting hint on Tolstoy's way of looking at life, faith and goodness. Maybe that's because I identify a lot with the way Levin thinks - as someone who doesn't have a strong connection with a religious God, it's always a mystery for me to understand where and a sense of moral and goodness comes from. And I think Tolstoy talks beautifully about this paradox, where Levin concludes that this sense of goodness is within him, and basically that he should stop worrying so much and just trust his heart. I can't express it nearly as well as it's in the book. But this part really touched me. I've been reluctant about watching the movie. I like having the characters as cloudy and transforming figures in my imagination. And movies usually make me picture the character as the actor and actresses forever. But I think I won't resist it very long.

[@nasrinvahidi5515]

I had seen the movie years ago and loved it and wanted to read the book too but for some reason I couldn’t. Recently I was blessed to gain entry to the book and was amazed how different everything was this time. Part of it was that books and movies are usually very different but this much? Some of it must have been me. But yes you touched on many different valid points that were mostly positive. But on the negative side, for example characters, especially the first character of a novel usually have a ton of redeeming qualities even though, at times they are down right villains. Here, I thought that most characters were “oh so nice!” One could not see the harsh ugly face of truth most of the time. Most everyone was goody goodies. Remember now that these are royalties.worse yet poor Anna commits suicide and the book goes on and even the main character changes to Levin, a land lord who is very nice!! He also happens to find God after he gets the rich princes and falls in love with Anna for two seconds! No I gave this book 3 stars on good reads. Sorry Tolstoy

[@dwainseppala4469]

I won’t live long enough to hear your AK interpretations when you are 55, but I’m certain you will have evolved further, and your outlook will change.

[@sarahsiskin6780]

I love this book and, like you, have read it more than once. I will be reading it again!

[@pilarglg5484]

Thank you! This helped me a lot! ❤️🇲🇽

[@tomjohnathan159]

I've started two weeks ago n reached Part III, just saw your video n I'm feeling ecstatic. Hope you'd do video on War n peace. Your mode of presentation is fabulous n its tranquil. Thanks for sharing your experience ❤️

[@tomjohnathan159]

I've completed Anna Karenina ❤️

[@bookislife7405]

You're channel is awesome, expecting more in the future

[@Ian.D.]

When you've read a 1000-page book 3 times already, I bet it's one of your favourites!

[@CarolineSutphin]

Haha yes! I am a serial re-reader

[@Ian.D.]

@@CarolineSutphin Me too! I always re-read my favourite books and that doesn't exclude the really long ones.

[@Benkerosadon7890]

Hello Caroline, I just saw your KZbin. Love your analysis! You still around?

[@flutebasket4294]

Levin's meditations in the fields and Alexi Alexandrovich's thoughts on his case concerning the ethnic minorities in the oblast are what interested me most. And you're right: Anna's drug abuse is almost never discussed

[@lenircotia]

For how long was Levin gone from the moment he was rejected by Kitty until he returned to Kitty and asked for her love a second time?

[@oneleaftea968]

I recently bought that edition you are holding. It was so gorgeous, that I just had to buy it, and I am so glad I did. I read the P&V translation a decade ago and am enjoying this one by Bartlett even more. It is funny you mention you are less sympathetic of Anna on the third reading... On this (my second) read, I am feeling that way about most of the characters. Yet, I am enjoying the story even more this time around.

[@CarolineSutphin]

Yes, this book more than any really marks how much I've changed as a reader in how I see all the characters. The story itself is just beautifully told, so worth a reread.

[@ryanand154]

Anna Karenina is training.

[@thejoyofreading7661]

It is a masterpiece just as "war and peace" but, contrary to Dostoevskij, I never felt the urge to re-read Tolsoj's works...

[@Svxnsk]

Good video. 🙌🏻

[@premonitionforboding9641]

REALLY 😀

[@vasanthm7096]

I am from India... Good evening mam...

[@bookislife7405]

Did you read War and Peace?

[@CarolineSutphin]

I haven't yet, though it is on my shelf to be read at some point soon

[@mostafabeais]

i don't understand why anna's husband is precieved as the villain he was kind and loving husband and he forgave her and gave her 2nd and 3rd chance to come back to him she cheated on him he should have the child

[@CarolineSutphin]

He really isn't a straight forward villain at all, that's for sure! I think he just represents the insurmountable difficulty for a woman trying to get out of an unhappy marriage at the time. With a more mature reading, I definitely felt like there were no easy villains in the book or easy heroes. Everyone is flawed and redeemable all at once.

[@englishwithsid1343]

i felt kind of depressed anna it is victim of view of society and guilty in view of vertue she felt guilty when she were daying and her lover to when he saw how her husband loves her

[@esmeralda1703]

She was paranoid because she thought Vronsky would leave her. Inspiration for destiny Anna and the histpry that made him write Anna Karenina: On January 4, 1872, at 7 pm, an unknown, well-dressed young woman, arriving at the Yasenki Moscow-Kursk railway in Krapivensky County, climbed onto the tracks at the time of the passing of freight train number 77, blessed if and threw itself on the tracks under the train, and was cut in half. Tolstoy and his wife Sofia knew the “young unknown person” from the news. It was Anna Stepanovna Pirogova, the thirty-five-year-old mistress and governess of one of Tolstoy's closest neighbors, Aleksandr Nikolaevich Bibikov, a forty-nine-year-old landowner and widower and a distant relative of Tolstoy's wife. Bibikov, lived with his mistress, but started to prefer the family's German nanny, whom he wanted to marry. When Anna Stepanovna was informed, she ran on her way in pain and despair with some clothes on in a jealous and angry rage, Anna sent her a note accusing him of being her killer before taking her own life. She wandered around for the next three days completely emotionally devastated. Then she threw herself in front of a freight train at Yasenki station.

[@justme7920]

Esmeralda was Vronsky really cheating though? Or was just Anna’s imagination?

[@esmeralda1703]

@@justme7920 imagination

[@justme7920]

Esmeralda was it just her imagination? What’s with the Sorokinas bringing him (both!) documents and giving him rides?

[@kaiftintoiwala6414]

War and Peace >>Anna Karenina