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| Anna Karenina (Penguin Classics) | 
 enlarge | Author: L.n. Tolstoy
Creators: Richard Pevear, John Bayley, Larissa Volokhonsky
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Category: Book
List Price: £8.99
Buy Used: £3.53
You Save: £5.46 (61%)
New (31) Collectible (1) from £4.77
Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 11147
Media: Paperback
Edition: Revised edition
Pages: 864
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 1.6
ISBN: 0140449175
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780140449174
ASIN: 0140449175
Publication Date: January 30, 2003
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 one of the best September 19, 2008
One of the few books where you forget you are actually reading a book. The story draws you in so well that it is almost impossible to put the book down.
The characters are very honestly portrayed - there is no one 'perfect' character who carries the greater moral good throughout the book. As such, it is a very accurate portrayal of humanity.
If one re-reads this book, one will very much be rewarded by their efforts. The characters seem to be different upon a second read - I was very much a fan of Levin until his marriage, but after the marriage, I was, for some reason, disappointed with his rather weak character, and was drawn to Vronsky (who initially repelled me). On the second read, I had a greater understanding of Vronsky's character, and sympathised with him more from the onset.
That is one of Tolstoy's many strengths - he understands that morality is, at times, subjective, and what can be seen as the greater good can depend on viewpoint.
Also - a great translation. Thoroughly recommended.
 Hype or Hope? July 2, 2008
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 May 26, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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 April 30, 2008
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!!
Anna Karenina January 28, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Having just read 'the greatest novel of all time', and loved it, I was mythed to see the average review being four stars, including a one star.
This is the first love story I have read out choice, and I liked the begining, and, form around page 200, I fell in love with it. Tolstoy does and incredible job of making the user feel for the characters, especially Levin, and the translation is perfect.
This book is worth five stars from the first to the last page, and is a truly great read, the rest of the reviewers must be crazy or illeterate to give such awful reviews.
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