Anna Karenina

By: Leo Tolstoy

Narrated by: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Length: 35 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Really stunning

The voice of the actress is full of emotion but subdued,just like Tolstoy's prose. Beautiful production!!!

Excellent

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

3

Any additional comments?

I'm saddened by the negative comments about Maggie Gyllenhaal... she did a superb job of narrating. As we all know, narrators can destroy a book... her reading kept me captivated. I am so impressed by her and hope I will get to listen to other books she narrates.

A Long, Gorgeous Slog

I can’t believe I made it through the whole thing. 36 hours is an awfully long time to listen to a novel where not much happens, but Tolstoy’s beautiful prose kept me coming back even when I was bored to tears. I now know more about Russian feudal agricultural practices than I ever thought possible. I have sat through countless dinner conversations with fictional aristocratic intellectuals. And it was worth every tedious scene stuck on minutiae for those scenes that stun you with their finely worded insights into the human soul. Maggie Gyllenhall’s narration did a lot towards keeping me going at times...her voice is as lovely and melodic as the passages she reads. If you are willing to commit yourself to this novel, it does have its rewards, but it takes discipline.

Maggie Gyllenhall is amazing! Long live Tolstoy!

What made the experience of listening to Anna Karenina the most enjoyable?

I must confess that I have bought the audiobook because of Maggie Gyllenhaal, expecting an amazing performance. And I was not wrong. In fact, I've spent audio-binging the 35 hours in just a couple of days and I consider the best time I could ever have had. I loved Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance, I love the novel ( even more, so much more than before), I love everything connected with this audiobook!

What did you like best about this story?

I was familiar with Tolstoy's work beforehand, but this time, the reading - and I put it on my age now - seemed so much more intimate, magnificent, and relevant. Lev Tolstoy's observations on society, education, religion, spiritual enlightenment, women's role in society, double standard are still valid today and they will be for many more century to come (unfortunately, or fortunately depends how you see it).

Which scene was your favorite?

Every single chapter is my favourite chapter. Every single one.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Everything happens on an ordinary day."

Any additional comments?

Thank you, Audible Studio. I shall return to listen to this wonderful audiobook instantly. Please, produce more of these!

Very good overall

While at times tedious and wordy, expounding on the struggles of the peasants at one turn and the lamentations of the nobility at another, it all das comes together in the end in a serene, yet emotionally significant, conclusion.

Cool must read

Everybody should read this! Revels the longing of the human heart. Highly recommended for any serious soul.

Classics are worth reading

this is the book that one needs maturity to understand. I read this as a very young wife and was thrilled by its romanticism. I've read it many times and get something out of it every time. I think Tolstoy has a real talent in portraying the inner life of people. unfortunately, he didn't use it in his own personal private life.

Amazing!

I can't fully express how much I loved this book and how well it was performed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Every minute of it was a pleasure to listen to and my heart hurts now that's it's over, but I am consoled by the thought that numerous others will get to enjoy it, as I did.

Bravo Ms. Gyllenhaal!!

I've always wanted to experience Tolstoy! Ms. Gyllenhaal brought Tolstoy's Russia to life! A worthy and enjoyable endeavor.

I loved this book!

Any additional comments?

I loved everything about her performance....she should narrate more books!~ Great audio book...I loved it!