Anna Karenina

By: Leo Tolstoy

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 36 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Tolstoy's masterpiece begins, "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

This is the story of the unhappy family of Anna Karenina. The novel contains much concerning Tolstoy's spiritual crisis and his search for the meaning of life. But it is also chiefly about marriage, and the growth and death of love.

The touching picture of Anna Aarkadyevna Karenina's slow disintegration has fascinated readers for well over a century. Beautiful and charming, Anna lives in a splendid world of her own making. She smokes, rides horseback, plays tennis, takes opium, practices birth control, and (although she is already married) falls in love with a handsome army officer.

Anna's life is played out against a backdrop of dazzling balls and the vastness of Russia's landscape. It is a magnificent story that shimmers with the intensity of intelligence and passion, especially through this superb narration by Davina Porter.

Public Domain (P)1990 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Porter reads magnificently." (Los Angeles Times)

Pretty much a waste of 37 hours.

The only reason I gave this 3 stars is because the reader was quite good. I have no idea why this book is a classic. The story just sort of peters out at the end, like Tolstoy got tired of writing and gave up. I'm so disappointed that I invested so much time in a story that I ended up not caring about in the least.

If Davina Porter is narrating, I will listen!!!

Davina brings this classic to life. I read Anna Karenina many many years ago. When I saw that she had recorded it I decided it was time to "read" it again and it was worth it.

Sad, cold, depressing - a good Russian novel

Would you listen to Anna Karenina again? Why?

Yes, but not for a long time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Anna Karenina?

Anna's fate

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I don't think that would be possible even if I wanted to.

Anna Karenina

Of all the Russian literature I have listened to in audio form, this was by far the best experience. I don't really know what the narrator did differently here, but the rhetorical digressions flowed with the story well enough that I rarely noticed them. It may just be Tolstoy's skill, but bravo to Divina Porter for many hours of entertainment. I enjoyed the story, the ideas, and the characters very much. If you have to choose between this novel and War and Peace, although they are both excellent, choose this one.

marvelously accessible

This is brilliantly read. I frequently have trouble with the Russian names and the French vocab in print, but the reader is so good that it is all perfectly accessible, and joyful. In my opinion the greatest novel written, and to hear it read in this way is a constant joy. A must have for lovers of true classics

Go for the abridged version

I have always wanted to read Anna Karenina but was intimidated by the length of the book. The audible format was appealing and I thought I could take it in pieces. While I overall enjoyed the writing, and the narrator did a fine job, there were many, many sections that dragged horribly and in retrospect seemed to detract from the themes and messages of the book, such as the dreadful passages discussing the mechanics of the political process. I usually prefer unabridged, but in this case I'd make an exception.

A classic is not always "classic".

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No, because it's part of history. Even though I found it "meh", it's like seeing a city you don't care if you need see again. It's still nice to have experienced it and make up your own mind.

Would you recommend Anna Karenina to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book only because it's a classic. It's one of those books I didn't remember reading in school. Now I know why. It's always good to read books and see movies that are part of our literary culture but Anna Karenina is one big soap opera. Leo Tolstoy is a force, no doubt about it but in my humble opinion, had this been written today it wouldn't make the best seller list.

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She definitely made Anna Karenina easier to get through. Her narration was the best thing about it.

Do you think Anna Karenina needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Please no. Tolstoy's dreary in general but this was dreary with no emotional connection.

Any additional comments?

I'm aware some may want to tar and feather me for saying anything negative about such an esteemed piece of work but if we're not honest with our reviews, what's the point? It's just one person's opinion. I guess "Charles Dickens" is more my speed.

The best

This one has spoiled me. Other books seem flat and boring now. It is the best book I have ever read.

What a read!

Where does Anna Karenina rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Well, I have to rate it near to the top in the Classical Category.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Anna Karenina?

When I realised that Anna was losing her mind.

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

Great

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The disconnect between Anna and Vronsky...he loved her and she was just so self absorbed that her jealousy rendered her irrational.

Any additional comments?

Oh what a great literary journey with Tolstoy's 'succulent' characters couched in history, politics, economic, agriculture, philosophy, culinary delight,s sex, drugs, royalty and fippary.

A Classic Love Story

Tolstoy is a master storyteller who can of bring the full sweep of human drama down to the moment-to-moment level. His characters live the history and you live it through their eyes and hearts. Vivid descriptions of the inner and outer lives of these aristocrats living in pre-revolutionary Russia animate his story, and help you to feel their manners, inhibitions, challenges, and passions. Anna is so deserving of love, so pure in her own love, yet even she cannot sustain the ideal. Her unjust ruin in the eyes of society, the loss of Vronsky's love, and the madness that loss inspires lead to an ending that is sad and unforgettable.