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Anna Karenina
The must-have Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of one of the greatest Russian novels ever written Described by William Faulkner as the best novel ever written and by Fyodor Dostoevsky as "flawless," Anna Karenina tells of the doomed love affair between the sensuous and rebellious Anna and the dashing officer, Count Vronsky. Tragedy unfolds as Anna rejects her passionless marriage and thereby exposes herself to the hypocrisies of society. Set against a vast and richly textured canvas of nineteenth-century Russia, the novel's seven major characters create a dynamic imbalance, playing out the contrasts of city and country life and all the variations on love and family happiness. While previous versions have softened the robust and sometimes shocking qualities of Tolstoy's writing, Pevear and Volokhonsky have produced a translation true to his powerful voice. This authoritative edition, which received the PEN Translation Prize and was an Oprah Book Club(TM) selection, also includes an illuminating introduction and explanatory notes. Beautiful, vigorous, and eminently readable, this Anna Karenina will be the definitive text for fans of the film and generations to come. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition also features French flaps and deckle-edged paper. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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Community Reviews
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - touted to be one of the best books ever written. Sure...maybe in its time it was. LOL
I read this book because I had read a few of Tolstoy's short stories and loved them - I was especially fond of his easy to read and understand writing style. Definitely my favorite of the Russian authors.
This book follows a handful of characters, the main ones being Kitty, Levin, Anna and Vronksy. I *loved* anytime I got to read about Kitty and/or Levin - even though a lot of Levin's section contained detailed descriptions and explanations of his farm and farming. I could not stand Anna or Vronksy. I do understand that divorce and adultery was handled differently in that time, but still. The sheer level of stupidity and selfishness was making me fear my eyes would get stuck with all the eye rolling I was doing.
That said....even though I hated 2 of the main characters....I kind of liked reading about their drama. And drama ABOUNDED. This book to me was nothing but a big Russian soap opera and I really enjoyed it....more than I thought I was until I got started talking about it with friends.
It was a great read and I'm glad to have read it, but do not feel it has any reread capability for me.
I read this book because I had read a few of Tolstoy's short stories and loved them - I was especially fond of his easy to read and understand writing style. Definitely my favorite of the Russian authors.
This book follows a handful of characters, the main ones being Kitty, Levin, Anna and Vronksy. I *loved* anytime I got to read about Kitty and/or Levin - even though a lot of Levin's section contained detailed descriptions and explanations of his farm and farming. I could not stand Anna or Vronksy. I do understand that divorce and adultery was handled differently in that time, but still. The sheer level of stupidity and selfishness was making me fear my eyes would get stuck with all the eye rolling I was doing.
That said....even though I hated 2 of the main characters....I kind of liked reading about their drama. And drama ABOUNDED. This book to me was nothing but a big Russian soap opera and I really enjoyed it....more than I thought I was until I got started talking about it with friends.
It was a great read and I'm glad to have read it, but do not feel it has any reread capability for me.
Absolutely timeless! Despite the antiquated language from the 19th century, the plot easily translates to the current day. Anna is one of the best written female characters in history - a long but heartbreaking read!
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