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Anna Karenina Readalong, 2023

958 replies

StColumbofNavron · 28/12/2022 21:30

Following the success of W&P in 2022, we’ve decided to stick with Tolstoy for 2023 and read Anna Karenina, one chapter per day.

For newbies: we simply read one chapter a day and discussion is allowed with a broader chat at the end of each section. Tolstoy’s chapters are nice and short, flicking through average length is about 4 pages.

I have used the Penguin Classics (2001, 2003) trans. by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky for the breakdown below. More on editions below.

There are 249 chapters in this edition and the book is in 8 parts taking us to 14 September with a break of a day between each book. Hopefully, irrespective of the edition you pick the finishing of each ‘book’ will hopefully align.

Book 1, ch. 1-34 (1 Jan-3 Feb)
BREAK, 4 Feb
Book 2, ch. 1-35 (5 Feb-11 Mar)
BREAK, 12 March
Book 3, ch. 1-32 (13 Mar-13 Apr)
BREAK, 14 Apr
Book 4, ch. 1-23 (15 Apr-7 May)
BREAK, 8 May
Book 5, ch. 1-33 (9 May-10 Jun)
BREAK, 11 Jun
Book 6, ch. 1-32 (12 Jun-14 Jul)
BREAK, 15 Jul
Book 7, ch. 1-31 (16 Jul-15 Aug)
BREAK, 16 Aug
Book 8, ch. 1-29 (17 Aug-14 Sept)

Some info on different translations and editions in the links below. Maud, Aylmer and Pevear and Volonkhonsky all present once again.

Wikipedia here
Tolstoy Therapy
New York Times
Some thoughts on Pevear and Volonkhonsky contenting the Russian Lit market

For reasons best known to me (largely foolish) I decided look up and work it all out on my phone instead of laptop, so apologies for any inaccuracies, typos etc. I am certain I have forgotten something, got my numbering wrong somewhere, but hopefully broadly correct.

All that remains is to say welcome back to those who are remaining committed to Tolstoy, thank you to those who organised and helped the last read run smoothly and welcome, do come in to those joining.

p.s. I would love to see the covers of your books.

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32
BumpyaDaisyevna · 02/01/2023 17:34

And me!!@GreyaSlipereva

SydneyCarton · 02/01/2023 17:11

I think Stepan thinks he’s being nice to Dolly by letting her decide which room Anna is to have and take charge of the arrangements, like he “lets” her do everything for the house and children. He’s trying to extend an olive branch and can’t understand why she basically tells him to shove it.

GreyaSlipereva · 02/01/2023 16:42

Done

Greyslipper · 02/01/2023 16:08

So tempted to change my username @Bumpsadaisie

Bumpsadaisie · 02/01/2023 15:58

@Greyslipper

Greya Slipereva! 🤣 that's a good one.

Greyslipper · 02/01/2023 15:31

Bumpsadaisie · 02/01/2023 15:17

Would it be fun to all change user names to a russian patronym for this thread.

I would be Bumpya Daisyevna.

😂

Bumpsadaisie · 02/01/2023 15:17

Would it be fun to all change user names to a russian patronym for this thread.

I would be Bumpya Daisyevna.

Bumpsadaisie · 02/01/2023 15:15

I think it is very clever the way he sets things up for Anna Arkedyeva (this going to be the eponymous Anna Karenina isn't it?) to arrive.

We are all anxiously waiting to meet her now - just as the characters are eagerly waiting for her arrival ... and she already is full of magic powers to set the world to rights.

Meanwhile poor old Darya Alexandreva - so love the patronymic naming system!

CornishLizard · 02/01/2023 15:12

Oh my the pregnancy had gone complete over my head too!

Very striking how readily tolerated a man’s adultery seems to be…

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 02/01/2023 15:07

Part 1 Chapter 2
We get a description of Oblonsky's feelings.
• He's only sorry he got caught. Because he is handsome and has started to lose interest in his aging wife (ouch!), he figures that he had the right to have the affair in the first place, and is surprised that Dolly is so angry about it.
• His valet, Matthew, comes in to shave and dress him.
• They're good friends, so they chat as Oblonsky opens his mail and Matthew gives his master a shave.

•	Oblonsky is thrilled that his sister, Anna, is coming to visit. Although neither Matthew nor Oblonsky say anything, they both know that Anna is capable of reconciling her brother and sister-in-law.
•	The children's nurse pokes her head in and recommends that Oblonsky try to talk to Dolly again.
•	Even though everything is Oblonsky's fault, all the servants appear to want him to save his marriage with Dolly.
Original poster
StColumbofNavron · 02/01/2023 13:44

Or indeed that she was a governess in her home, with her children.

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MamaNewtNewt · 02/01/2023 13:39

It will be interesting to see if his wife is upset at the affair or just because his mistress is pregnant.

EskSmith · 02/01/2023 13:26

Hello all, I'd like to join you too. This is a reread for me but 20 years on so I really don't remember much. It's certainly going to be interesting reading at a slower pace, I'm looking forward to thinking more deeply about the text.

I'm reading the Garnett translation on kindle and have just read the first 2 chapters.
I think it's very much of it's time in it's portrayal of Stepan and, distressing as it is, likely to be true that the staff were mostly on his side. At 34 Dolly is seen as past it and expected to be concerned solely with children and the household. Stepan on the other hand is a virile man with 'needs'.
Tolstoy portrays a comfortable relaxed household up until this point. (The description of his comfortable morning start gives this impression) The feeling that Stepan has that his sister's arrival means Dolly will just have to get on with things is typical and it seems he is most surprised at he message that she won't.

BeastOfBODMAS · 02/01/2023 13:21

@pigg I also noted the hint.

Funny that he wasn’t sorry for the affair, he was sorry for getting caught (paraphrasing). Some things never change do they

TowerStork · 02/01/2023 13:21

That went completely over my head. Interesting to see if there are any other allusions to pregnancy.

I find it hard to read only a short chapter a day so I'm reading ahead while I have time.

Piggywaspushed · 02/01/2023 13:03

Here it is . He is perving somewhat lasciviously over his memories of the governess:

But what a governess! [...]but I didn't take any liberties while she was living in our house, after all. And the worst thing of all is that she is already...It's just my luck!

**

Piggywaspushed · 02/01/2023 12:41

I'll find the giveaway sentence when I am reunited with my copy. It's only in another room! Just very lazy.

Original poster
StColumbofNavron · 02/01/2023 12:36

It’s interesting that everyone is on his side. I suspect this is partly a times thing, whereby aristocrats did take mistresses and comes across in Oblonsky’s expectation that Dolly knew and turned a blind eye, since that was likely what was happening around him.

id never considered that the governess might be pregnant but I think that makes sense. What would be the point in a letter that said he was unfaithful, in a world that expected him to be unfaithful, exposing a pregnancy seems far more plausible.

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Piggywaspushed · 02/01/2023 12:27

Yes, governess definitely preggers!

LegoLady95 · 02/01/2023 12:08

Finding it so hard not to keep reading! Enjoying the characters so far.

Bumpsadaisie · 02/01/2023 12:05



MamaNewtNewt · 02/01/2023 11:32

Bumpsadaisie · 02/01/2023 11:05

I inferred that he has got the French governess pregnant .. is that right?

Oh I hadn't picked up on that, but given the fact that I thought he was a good guy who loved his wife yesterday I'm not sure that means much!

LetterOfTheLawFella · 02/01/2023 11:24

Found a copy in a charity shop for 50p a few months ago and have been waiting for a good time to start! Looking forward to the discussions over the next few months.

Anna Karenina Readalong, 2023
Bumpsadaisie · 02/01/2023 11:05

I inferred that he has got the French governess pregnant .. is that right?

Original poster
StColumbofNavron · 02/01/2023 10:30

Ahhhh @mrsmama - the Puccini/Cabrera adaptation is my favourite too. For fear of spoiling, we’ll have to save the adaptation conversation until after the read but I will say, the music, set, costumes and casting are spot on.

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