Just got this book

[Panflute]

My mother recently bought me a copy of Anna Karenina at a flea market. The name Tolstoy sounded familiar, and after some research on Wikipedia I found out that he is one of the most famous novelists of all time. I wonder if this book is readable. I love 19th-century literature, so my hopes are high. Could anyone give me a short, spoiler-free summary on the book's main plot? Because I'm afraid that if I'd google it, I'd run into spoilers and such. Thanks in advance.

[bazarov]

Tolstoy sounds familiar
OK, it's a novel about women who left her husband, her position in society after that...One of the best books I have ever read. You won't regret, believe me!

[Panflute]

Hehe, yeah. I'm not at all familiar with Eastern European literature...

But it sounds interesting, and I'll try and read it sometime.

[downing]

Panflute, I have recently read Anna Karenina and adored it! You certainly have to give it a try. Just like Baz said, one of the best books I have ever read. Tell us what do you think about the book while you're reading it.

[grace86]

I agree with baz and downing. You have to read it, you will not regret it. It does take a while to read, so it is quite a feat.

It is about russian society. There are several plots and sub plots, but each one entertaining and unique in its own way. You see how many people view and deal with similar situations. There are parts in it you will not forget.

A woman is in love with someone she is not married to. She is of high social standing, her choices reflect what happens in consequence to being so high in society.

Read it, enjoy it, and good luck.

[Idril]

The most difficult thing about reading Russian lit is getting used to the names. Not only because they're a little difficult to pronounce but because one character can be called several different names. There's the first name and patronymic, generally used together, then there's the last name, which is generally used alone and then sometimes there's a nicknames which often has very little, if any resemblance to the real name. For example, Anna's sister in law's name is Darya Alexandrovna Oblonskaya and her nickname is Dolly so sometimes, she may be called Darya Alexandrovna and sometimes Oblonskaya and sometimes Dolly. I have to say though that Tolstoy, especially in this novel sticks mostly to the one name or the other, he doesn't switch back and forth too often. I don't remember having a real terrible time with the Russian names until I started reading Dostoevsky. I was horribly confused until I figured out that naming system but once I did, everything fell into place nicely and I was able to just enjoy the book.

Like everyone else in this thread, I highly recommend Anna Karenina, I think it's very readable and the characters are so well drawn. There are two storylines, Anna and her lover, Vronsky and then there's Levin and Kitty and their long road to couplehood. There's a lot of social commentary but it's weaved so seamlessly into the narrative that you never feel you're being preached at and it's a wonderful glimpse into a fascinating culture and time in history.

[Panflute]

Thanks for the info everyone. I think I'll get around reading this in the summer (seeing as I'm quite busy reading all of Dickens's novels), and I'll be sure to drop by and tell how I like it.

[zeca9]

my first russian romance...and the first is always special...i loved it...in some parts of the book i thought i was there...and all the thinking of Levine...just perfect