Anna Karenina

By: Leo Tolstoy

Narrated by: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Winner: Audible's Best of 2016 - Classic

"Anna Karenina is one of my favorite books. But when I agreed to read it for Audible, I had no idea how much work it would be, how intense it would be, and how deeply I would fall in love with it. There were places where I thought 'if I don't give Alexey Alexandrovitch the respect that he deserves in my reading of this scene, a critical part of the book will be ruined. If I don't give EVERYONE the utmost respect and understanding, I'm not doing justice to this brilliantly compassionate book.' But at the same time, I also wanted to have a light touch in the way I played the different characters, so that the magnificence of the novel could shine through. I feel like performing this novel is one of the major accomplishments of my work life - it was so challenging and so deep, a real pleasure." (Narrator Maggie Gyllenhaal)

Leo Tolstoy's classic story of doomed love is one of the most admired novels in world literature. Generations of readers have been enthralled by his magnificent heroine, the unhappily married Anna Karenina, and her tragic affair with dashing Count Vronsky. Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, The Honourable Woman) cites Tolstoy's epic as one of her favorite books of all time, and her love for the literature permeates her performance. Anna Karenina is a masterpiece not only because of the unforgettable woman at its core and the stark drama of her fate but also because it explores and illuminates the deepest questions about how to live a fulfilled life.

Public Domain (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Simply divine

The best narration I've heard. Masterful capturing of the essence of each character. Bravo, bravo.

Need a more sophisticated, cultivated reader

Read in an almost confessional tone for no reason, and peppered with excruciating pronunciation mistakes even in English.

Not the right narrator

Maggie Gyllenhaal is a great actress but not the best narrator. Sometimes she rushes through paragraphs, and it’s hard to tell when she changes from one character to the other. I imagined someone like Edoardo Bellarini narrating this masterpiece. I love this book but there is much to be desired with the narration.

A brilliant, sweeping review of aristocratic Russian life.

Tolstoy has strong opinions. His opinions about his main characters are clear. Sometimes I'm not sure he is correct. But someone who expresses himself so beautifully cannot be too off base. His observations on Russian life felt just as relevant in 21st century America. His passages on philosophy, physical exercise, nature, meaning, suicide, birth, death, family relations, so much of it will haunt me for years to come.

You get a lot for the price

If you're looking for a long read to get the most bang for your buck, this is a good choice. Be warned this book is long and rather tedious.