Sensual, rebellious Anna falls deeply and passionately in love with the handsome Count Vronsky. When she refuses to conduct the discreet affair that her cold, ambitious husband - and Russian high society - would condone, she is doomed. Set against the tragic love of Anna and Vronsky, the plight of the melancholy nobleman Konstantine Levin unfolds. In doubt about the meaning of life - a mirror of Tolstoy’s own spiritual crisis - Konstantine is haunted by thoughts of suicide.
A magnificent drama of vengeance, infidelity, and retribution, Anna Karenina tells the story of two characters whose emotional instincts conflict with the dominant social mores of their time.
Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was born in Russia. His parents - who died when he was young - were of noble birth. He served in the army in the Caucasus and Crimea, where he wrote his first stories. He is especially known for his masterpieces, War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877).
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“Considered one of the pinnacles of world literature.” (Merriam-Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature)
“A sexy and engrossing read, this book tells the tale of one of the most enthralling love affairs in the history of literature.” (Oprah.com)
Christian, Biochemist, Husband, Father - pursuing God in a modern culture
"Flawless novel, masterfully narrated"
This was the first Tolstoy I have ever read, and I enjoyed this book very much. I did not realize, going in, that this was the dual story of Anna Karenina’s adulterous affair with Count Vronsky, but of Constantine Levin’s journey to love and spiritual life. One person descends morally, the other ascends, their lives, thoughts and personalities masterfully woven and layered by Tolstoy into one of the best books I have ever read!
I was primarily motivated to finally read the book because the movie was coming out and I wanted to experience the book before I saw the movie. After reading the book and seeing the movie poster centered on Anna alone, with her husband and lover in the background on either side, the focus will probably center on Anna exclusively. Hollywood seems to resemble the loose Petersburg circles that Anna moved in, which takes innocence and spits out broken souls like Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan. It would not surprise me that the focus of the movie would be on Anna’s passion, condemning the society that caged her, marginalizing the progress of Levin from awkward and angry, an intellectual misfit who envies the simplicity of peasants, to love, marriage, fatherhood and ultimately a true spiritual awakening. I may be wrong. I hope I am wrong.
"Classic literature!"
How does one rate classic literature? I can only say that I read it because I thought of it as must read classic literature. I wasn't disappointed.
"Narration Echoed"
There was a slight/faint, but noticeable echo of the narration throughout the entire recording.
Probably not. 60% great story. 40% unnecessary information, which adds up in a book of this length.
Narrator was great, but recording had the echo issue.
Just because it was a classic worth experiencing.
"A classic is a classic"
I figure it's unnecessary to introduce the storyline so let's just say it is quite a modern love story though set in a different pace (with more parallel stories) than the standard today. For instance, Anna Karenina doesn't make her entrance into the story until around page 70.
Nice narration and I'd highly recommend listening to this book rather than reading it as this recording brings it to life.
"A book worth reading"
TIMELESS HUMAN BEHAVIOR
IT MADE ME FEEL I WAS THERE.
THE LAS IRATIONAL SCENE WHEN ANA HAS A FIT OF JEALOUSY
NO
A GOOD WAY WAY TO REMEMBER HISTORY.
"Timeless quality"
This has been one of the most engrossing audiobooks I've listened to. I actually knew the story from a long ago reading, but was still gripped and carried along by the performance.
Naturally, Anna is a favorite character, but so is the quiet development of her son's character. Tolstoy is a master of character development generally, so all the main characters have been drawn deeply.
It is read with great precision and expression. The Russian names, often so hard to follow in written form, are understandable, and the dialogue read with characteristic voice inflections, which always let you know who is speaking among the main characters.
I recommend this to anyone who is interested in being immersed in a great classic for some time. A great winter companion particularly.