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Post by Dominique on Aug 16, 2007 0:13:53 GMT -5
I'm reading this at the moment and I noticed that a couple of other people are too so I thought I'd start a thread on it. I'm only about 100ish pages in so far but my thoughts at the moment are: - I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would, I thought this would be a really challenging book being a Russian classic but the writing is quite smooth and easy to read.
- I think my favourite character so far is Levin, he's the only one who hasn't done something I don't like and he sticks to what he believes/feels, he's also a bit different from all the others.
- Obviously I don't like that guy who doesn't love his wife, I wasn't that impressed with the way Kitty seems to like V just because that's what her mother wants. I also didn't like how Anna convinced Dolly to go back to her husband, saying he loves her and all that when his inner monologue has said that's not the case.
I'm looking forward to reading what happens next
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bluejay765
First short story featured in regional newspaper
"I can go from zero to studying in less than sixty seconds."
Posts: 127
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Post by bluejay765 on Aug 16, 2007 8:06:50 GMT -5
First off: great idea, Dom! I just started reading it, too, and want to TALK ABOUT IT In response to your first bullet point, me too. I've always held the impression that classic novels, and especially those by the Russians, would be the most difficult, dusty, tome-y, and dull that I'd ever come across. But this isn't like that! It's as if you were with the characters, IN their situation. Tolstoy did a really good job, I think, of writing simplistically and focusing more on bringing the reader into the lives of his characters. I'm torn: Levin or Kitty? While your reasons for liking Levin are mine as well, I have to say that I like Kitty a lot. This kind of goes with my number one, but during the chapter at the ball, where Anna dances with Vronsky, I felt like my heart was being broken. I felt like I was there with her; watching this man I loved (who'd I'd just thrown away another future for) completely disregard me. Part 2 is getting a litle slow for me, though. Maybe I'm just not reading it as much as I was for Part 1, but it's getting slightly frustrating because Vronsky's being an idiot. But, despite that, I'm really looking forward to curling up and reading this for hours
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Post by Dominique on Aug 16, 2007 9:01:54 GMT -5
I actually just read that ball scene tonight and I really loved it, my heart went out to her too
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Lu
Administrator
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Post by Lu on Aug 16, 2007 9:18:11 GMT -5
I've read Anna Karenina last year and I loved it. I agree that it's easy to read, I thought it'd be more difficult. My favorite character was Levin, I like the fact that he so different from the other and, as you said Dom, he hasn't done something I don't like. I remeber him as a simple and honest character and he remains my favorite until the end. I also felt very sorry for Dolly.
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Post by tahlia on Aug 16, 2007 10:53:54 GMT -5
im so happy you started this thread. i haven't started yet, but i think i will today. ive been putting it off thinking it would be difficult, basing it on other russian classics i've read, so i am glad to hear that it is an easy read. I'm going to get started right away.
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Post by tahlia on Aug 16, 2007 10:55:39 GMT -5
I read anonther post somehwere on this board that it has two parts to it. I have the the barnes and nobles classic edition, i hope this contains both parts. I cant imagine a thicker novel! what are the two parts?
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bluejay765
First short story featured in regional newspaper
"I can go from zero to studying in less than sixty seconds."
Posts: 127
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Post by bluejay765 on Aug 16, 2007 12:11:12 GMT -5
In my version (not too sure which one. The cover is sort of a soft gray-ish hue and it is of a woman's legs and hand, which is holding a sprig of violet buds) there are 8 parts so I'm totally lost
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Post by tahlia on Aug 16, 2007 12:35:49 GMT -5
im lost too. im looking at my book now, im lost. im going look online to check.
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Umbralit
First poem written for Mother’s Day
Posts: 15
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Post by Umbralit on Aug 16, 2007 12:53:02 GMT -5
I've been meaning to read Anna Karenina for a while now and I love the idea of discussing the book. Maybe if I get started right away (my ever expanding currently reading list)... Does anyone recommend a particular translation or edition?
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Post by tahlia on Aug 16, 2007 13:04:07 GMT -5
i have the barnes and nobles hardcover edition, and it is very good, but i am not sure if that is any help to you.
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Umbralit
First poem written for Mother’s Day
Posts: 15
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Post by Umbralit on Aug 16, 2007 13:44:51 GMT -5
No, absolutely -- any recommendation is helpful!
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Post by Dominique on Aug 17, 2007 2:25:36 GMT -5
I think mine is a barnes and noble soft cover and it seems to have all its parts
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karin
First poem written for Mother’s Day
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Post by karin on Aug 17, 2007 6:10:42 GMT -5
Unfortunatelly I can´t help you with this. I have two books Anna Karenina - title: Anna Karenina 1 and Anna Karenina 2 and both has only green cover. about book: I am at the beginning, but I don´t like Dolly´s husband. I think he´s really egoist. But I really like Levin - he´s pure (I don´t know how can I say it another way) and I love it. And the book is really easy to read - it´s fine
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bluejay765
First short story featured in regional newspaper
"I can go from zero to studying in less than sixty seconds."
Posts: 127
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Post by bluejay765 on Aug 17, 2007 22:46:41 GMT -5
I've been meaning to read Anna Karenina for a while now and I love the idea of discussing the book. Maybe if I get started right away (my ever expanding currently reading list)... Does anyone recommend a particular translation or edition? Yay! (I do understand your ever expanding book list. It's an awful feeling, isn't it? To have so many books and so little time) My version is the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. I'm really enjoying it, because they have translations of the French and footnotes that explain customs. The footnotes are really detailed, too, so even though you might think you know something, they have a new bit of information about it.
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bluejay765
First short story featured in regional newspaper
"I can go from zero to studying in less than sixty seconds."
Posts: 127
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Post by bluejay765 on Aug 17, 2007 22:48:34 GMT -5
about book: I am at the beginning, but I don´t like Dolly´s husband. I think he´s really egoist. But I really like Levin - he´s pure (I don´t know how can I say it another way) and I love it. And the book is really easy to read - it´s fine nice word for dolly's husband. in the part where i am, though, levin and dolly's husband are dining together (the second time; part 2) and their contrasts are very nice. it's as if they complement each other and make up for the faults of their friend.
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