I don’t think it’s too complex (I think it’s easier than War and Peace) but it depends on the sort of books you’re used to.
NotAFlightAttendant on
This was my first Russian lit book that I finished. I loved it, even the long sections on Russian agriculture and labor, which are the parts that most people seem to struggle with. It is a book where people try to find happiness in their corner of the world, some succeeding, some failing. The character list is fairly large, which contributes to the length.
Some knowledge I found useful: one of the main characters is generally considered to be a self-insert of Tolstoy, and there are chapters where he mainly spends thinking through some philosophical dilemma. These are the sections I mentioned above. How necessary it is to read these chapters is up for debate, although in my opinion, it is how this character’s growth arc is demonstrated, so a skim is at least warranted.
I will say that I personally would probably have struggled to read those sections because I don’t really hear an internal voice when I read, but I listened to it in audiobook form, and having a narrator give intonation to Levin’s more rambly thought processes helped me to really enjoy them.
It’s definitely at least worth a shot!
mkeCharlie on
I was over 400 pages in before I realized it wasn’t going to get any better. Forced myself to finish it, but I didn’t love it.
FriendlyCaterpillar8 on
I really enjoyed it, I did find the massive cast of characters a bit confusing at first; it was hard to keep up with who was who. But I took my time with the book and ultimately really enjoyed it! I would definitely recommend it.
If you do decide to read the book then I hope you enjoy it! Happy readings 🙂
tchinpingmei on
I commend Tolstoy for depicting the struggle women faced in society back then; and to show that infidelity didn’t have the same consequences for both genders.
But ultimately I found the novel extremely boring. Katkov’s summary of the novel as the story of “a certain lady who abandoned her husband, got angry at various things, and threw herself under a railroad car” is a bit off-color, but close to how I felt.
mramirez7425 on
I’ve strongly considered reading this but have a hard time following complex stories with many characters, would this be too much?
LavenderWildflowers on
I know people who LOVE it! I am unfortunately not one of those people. I love many of the classics, but this is one I abandoned and never finished and doubt I will.
I could handle the cast of characters, I just found it to be incredibly boring and unengaging.
7 Comments
It’s the best novel I’ve ever read in my life.
I don’t think it’s too complex (I think it’s easier than War and Peace) but it depends on the sort of books you’re used to.
This was my first Russian lit book that I finished. I loved it, even the long sections on Russian agriculture and labor, which are the parts that most people seem to struggle with. It is a book where people try to find happiness in their corner of the world, some succeeding, some failing. The character list is fairly large, which contributes to the length.
Some knowledge I found useful: one of the main characters is generally considered to be a self-insert of Tolstoy, and there are chapters where he mainly spends thinking through some philosophical dilemma. These are the sections I mentioned above. How necessary it is to read these chapters is up for debate, although in my opinion, it is how this character’s growth arc is demonstrated, so a skim is at least warranted.
I will say that I personally would probably have struggled to read those sections because I don’t really hear an internal voice when I read, but I listened to it in audiobook form, and having a narrator give intonation to Levin’s more rambly thought processes helped me to really enjoy them.
It’s definitely at least worth a shot!
I was over 400 pages in before I realized it wasn’t going to get any better. Forced myself to finish it, but I didn’t love it.
I really enjoyed it, I did find the massive cast of characters a bit confusing at first; it was hard to keep up with who was who. But I took my time with the book and ultimately really enjoyed it! I would definitely recommend it.
If you do decide to read the book then I hope you enjoy it! Happy readings 🙂
I commend Tolstoy for depicting the struggle women faced in society back then; and to show that infidelity didn’t have the same consequences for both genders.
But ultimately I found the novel extremely boring. Katkov’s summary of the novel as the story of “a certain lady who abandoned her husband, got angry at various things, and threw herself under a railroad car” is a bit off-color, but close to how I felt.
I’ve strongly considered reading this but have a hard time following complex stories with many characters, would this be too much?
I know people who LOVE it! I am unfortunately not one of those people. I love many of the classics, but this is one I abandoned and never finished and doubt I will.
I could handle the cast of characters, I just found it to be incredibly boring and unengaging.