Rating: 
Summary: Tolstoy's command of detail is amazing
Review: Having read War and Peace may years ago, Anna Karenina has been on my list of books to read for quite sometime. If I had known how good it was, I would have read it a long time ago. I enjoyed War and Peace, but found Anna Karenina to be a much better, more engaging novel. It has much less philosophical meandering than War and Peace yet paints a wonderful picture of Russian society, with some politics and history on the side.I am amazed by Tolstoy's intimate knowledge of human thought, desire, and self-doubt, especially how well he captured the thoughts and feelings of women. Reading the book, I felt that he had studied in detail Russian agriculture and hunting as well as the balls and dinners of high society. If you are thinking about reading some Russian Literature, this would be a great place to start. It is an engaging story, but also made me more interested in Russian history and politics.
Rating:
Summary: As good as it gets.
Review: Over the more than a decade that passed since my finishing "War and Peace" (W&P) it was on more than one occasion that I intended to give "Anna" a chance. Alas, two of Anna's fellow countrywomen warned me sternly that this book would be a waste of my time. In the late eighties a fellow student told me that Tolstoy's second masterpiece was in essence a bourgeois romance novel. A few years ago, a Russian colleague of mine repeatedly gave me the opinion of her mother, who spent a significant part of her life in long lines to share in the "prosperity" of the Sovjet era: why the hell should I care that a spoiled rotten rich girl throws herself in front of a train? It sounds paradoxical, but the fact that both ladies were (partially) right makes this book all the more remarkable. Thanks to the excellent translation, that compensates a slight lack of "19th century Russian flavor" with a superior touch in bringing this book alive for a 21st century audience, Anna shines like a landmark in world literature, a Classic and most certainly not a stuffy one. I agree with Anna's creator that this book is a more successful novel than W&P. While it lacks the epic scale, it is very focused and contains very few moments of dullness or irrelevance. In Anna, Tolstoy succeeded in formulating an illustrated philosophy of life like few others. Both the way in which he has juxtaposed the novel two main characters Anna and the self-inspired Levin, and in the honest, vulnerable and non-overbearing exposition of his worldview Tolstoy leaves the reader a lot of room for his/her own observations and conclusions. While the chit chatty salons of the "uppercrust" of a vanished Russian society may not be the most likely backdrop for an analysis of the human condition that could appeal to our time, Tolstoy succeeds in a masterpiece for all times. His skills in observing, analyzing and "bringing to life in language" still set the bar for all future writers. Thinking of Tolstoy and this book, two musical giants that the author greatly admired come to mind. First, Beethoven. Just like the composer, Lev's works were the products of long and arduous struggles, examining, re-examining, writing and scrapping. Yet, the best products of both men are bold, vivid, full of drama, passion and humor, and timeless.
Second, Wanda Landowska. On several occasions she played at Tolstoy's house and bowled the man over. Just like the matron of the harpsichord, Lev displays a complete understanding of every detail of the subject matter, an honest personal vision and a flawless technique. Few readers will approach a book of this magnitude and reputation without some sense of trepidation. Yet, thanks to portraying characters who seem to be in the same room as the reader, to the"counterpoint" of their interactions and to their development, reading this book still gives one of the best examples of what fiction can be. Taking my time reading my way through this masterpiece was a worthwhile and entertaining experience and I strongly advise prospective readers to believe Bo when he sang that song about a book and its cover.
Rating: 
Summary: A Beautifully Consistent Demonstration
Review: One finds in Anna Karenina the delightful pleasure of seeing an idea worked out to it logical conclusion. Or, rather, the horror of seeing said idea worked out to its terribly logical conclusion.
Tolstoy manages to demonstrate quite aptly his beliefs - that true religion, that which man is made for, is irrational and disinterested. He achieves this through the juxtaposition of characters Levin and Anna Karenina; Levin begins as an agnostic and advocate of pursuing one's self-interest; Karenina as devout, selfless Christian. We watch as the pair switches places--Karenina abandoning faith, husband and son to pursue an affair with her lover, and Levin abandoning rational thought for an irrational belief.
We, the readers, are subjected again and again to displays of the folly of man's rationality--bueracracy, hypocritical faith that is based in the intellect, not the heart, Society's circles, philosophers and teachers wrapped up in irrelevant discussions. On the other hand, we also see the delight and soaring comfort of faith without cause.
It appears, therefore, that Tolstoy made the same mistake that Ayn Rand makes in her philosophy, though in quite the opposite direction--the assumption that rational thought and faith are contradictory, by nature. We see this in Levin's entire reunciation of dependence on his mind, which leads him to irrational and total love; we see it in the destruction of Karenina, whose reunciation of dependence on God and societal morality (which are supposed to be known to all) causes her to detest the world and all in it.
We can also see that Tolstoy holds a very low view of man's self-interest--which view is at odds with fundamental Christian theology. Christian thinkers such as Jonathan Edwards, C.S. Lewis and John Piper maintain that seeking God is in our own self-interest; Tolstoy, however, seems to identitfy a pursuit of satisfaction with adultery, imbecility and pompous behavior. It appears he is unable to see the pursuit of God as a beneficial activity, and that man must abandon hope of finding his own joy, in order to find God.
Anna Karenina is, artistically, very well done--it holds, consistently, to a single premise and does all it can to hold together on that premise. This is all the worse, however, for the fact that the axiom Tolstoy espouses is destructive, incorrect, and the very enemy of man's mind. Tolstoy subscribes to that odd blend of Christianity and Kantian philosophy, which is perhaps the most destructive blend one can find.
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Summary: One Of The Best 'Anna' Translations I've Seen...
Review: Unless you can read Russian and can experience Tolstoy's very words for yourself, the translation makes all the difference. And I was captivated by the naturalness, smoothness and the appearance of spontaneity of this edition, published by Oxford and translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude. This is no easy feat either, since Tolstoy enters and exits his characters' minds and hearts at will, conveying complex thoughts, emotions and moods in minute detail -- and at times in surprisingly rapid succession. Here's an example, and it serves as a useful exemplar of the quality of the language of the translation: "But Levin and others, though they were able to say a great deal about death, evidently did not know anything, for they feared it and had no notion what to do when people were dying. Had Levin now been alone with his brother Nicholas, he would have looked at him with horror, and would have waited about in still greater horror not knowing what to do next." In Anna, Tolstoy gave to us a masterwork of the human soul. This translation is one of the few whose literary quality, in my only somewhat humble opinion, truly does him justice.
Rating: 
Summary: This isn't reall a review...
Review: I just wanted to thank the person who saved me the trouble of buying and reading this book by revealing the ending.
Rating:
Summary: Easy Classic
Review: The story takes place in a time and place far away, but neither the style, nor the history are hard to follow. That's what makes this Tolstoy marterpiece timeless. I was scared to venture into War and Peace before reading Anna Karenina, but now I think I'm ready. Do yourself a favor, and read this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Well it's not War and Peace, but....
Review: Considered by some to be the finest novel of the 19th century, Anna Karenina is one of the most readable and enjoyable 800-page books you will find. Though in reputation it lives in the shadow of the better known War and Peace, Anna Karenina is certainly a finer work of literature than the hackneyed benchmark for tomes of epic proportion. The characters in Anna Karenina are far more engaging, not to mention fewer in number and therefore less confusing, and the narrative pace is much quicker, such that this is actually a pleasure to read and not so much a chore. If you are reading Tolstoy for the first time and are not swayed by the obvious bragging rights that reading War and Peace will entitle you to, Anna Karenina is by far the better choice. Tolstoy was truly a master of describing Russian society on its broadest scale. In Anna Karenina, he presents his most opinionated critique of the Russian aristocracy, of city life and its shortcomings, of organized religion, of oppression based on class and gender, and countless other topics of social importance. Anna, the beautiful, rebellious, and ultimately tragic heroine, has a passionate affair with Alexei Vronsky, and leaves her husband and son in hopes of finding true happiness. What she inevitably discovers, however, is a society both rigid and unforgiving towards a woman's infidelity. As a result, she is forced to live a life largely removed from the social circles to which she is accustomed, and ultimately she has no choice but to realize the futility of trying to fight the traditional, inflexible societal norms that govern the behavior of married women. Anna Karenina is a must read both for lovers of classic literature and students of the Russian identity. Tolstoy, indisputably Russian greatest novelist ever, eloquently presents his most enlightened views on numerous questions of timeless significance - agrarian reform, the ills of urban life, the decadence of aristocracy, and more. He even shows the smallest hint of sympathy for women's rights, well ahead of his time. Anna Karenina is the epitome of quality literature - a book that makes profound social statements while at the same time providing hours of pleasurable reading.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! Great book!
Review: Truly a masterpiece, this book traces the love affair of Anna Kerenina with Vronsky and her subsequent painful divorce. It also follows Levin and his newly found, and not-so-painful-in-the-end, love and marriage. Truly this is one of the best books I've ever written, and it's no surprise to me that it holds such accolades from others. What I found to be the best part was how Tolstoy was able to give emotions and feelings to his characters, and make them understandable to the reader. You read and then think to yourself, "I know EXACTLY what this person is thinking." And this book was written over a century ago! Incredible... if you have the time (it's a lengthy novel), read it!
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Summary: Great romantic tragedy
Review: Anna Karenina is a young woman married to a powerful government minister living in Petersburg. But when she falls in love with the dashing Count Alexey Kirilich Vronsky, she becomes pregnant by him and leaves both her husband and her son Serezha to live with her lover. Despite the help of her friends, including her brother Oblonsky, a rather frequent seducer of married women, Anna is unable to get a divorce and is rejected by the society that once embraced her. Jealous of the double-standard that saves Vronsky from such public humiliation, Anna's constant suspicions threaten to kill their love as well. Meanwhile, in a related story, Constantine Dmitrich Levin, a passionate but thoughtful young mane, seeks to marry the Princess Catherine Shcherbatskaya, known to her family and friends as Kitty. However, Kitty rejects Levin's first proposal because she believes the Vronsky, who had flirted with her before he met Anna, will return to marry her. Levin goes to the country, to write a book about agriculture and contemplate the will of God, while Kitty continues to wait for Vronsky. ANNA KARENINA is a novel about love and marriage among the Russian aristocracy in the 1870s. Leo Tolstoy weaves the two love stories together to comments upon many of the social conditions of his era. In turning a critical eye on the aristocratic society where love and marriage can have nothing to do with each other, Tolstoy tries to follow up on the success of his previous and greatest novel, WAR AND PEACE. The title character of this novel may be a fallen woman, but Tolstoy's story brings down the high society that once adored her as well.
Rating:
Summary: A great book, but a less than accurate translation
Review: Recasting a great novel into another tongue is an accomplishment, and this version may be the most readable extant. Wordier phrases are sensibly pared, and unwhieldy sentences are made more accessible. This comes at a price, especially in when compared to the definitive translation by Louise and Aylmer Maude. The Maudes' great virtue is in their dedication to preserving the shades of meaning in a phrase. As a result, you end up reading a version of the book closer to what Tolstoy had intended. Before starting this massive novel, go to your local bookshop and compare texts. You may find the Maude translation more satisfying.
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