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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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TowerStork · 31/12/2022 15:20

@StColumbofNavron Thanks for the Google translate tip. I used to gloss over names I can't pronounce but I find it easier to keep track of characters when I can pronounce them. Also, I've been in enough awkward conversations where someone corrected my incorrect pronunciation based on English phonetics that I try to make an effort with the main characters at least

Original poster
StColumbofNavron · 31/12/2022 13:57

@yoshiblue and @JamesGiantPledge1 I’d say reading this slowly this way is great if it’s new to you. Each chapter in my copy is about 4 pages, Tolstoy really doesn’t seem to write a chapter longer that 12 mins long (he obviously makes up for this with the number of chapters 😀).

@RubyRoss Google translate sounds ok to me. I don’t speak Russian but largely sounds the way that my Russian history lecturer pronounced the names.

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yoshiblue · 31/12/2022 12:58

I'm joining! A bit scared of the challenge as I've not read much classic literature, but I've had this on my list to read for a while. Hopefully Amazon is delivering my copy later.

JamesGiantPledge1 · 31/12/2022 12:12

Please could I join. I read a lot and I think this will help me read a classic. I am not well so I expect to have a lot of reading time in 2023. I will download the book on my kindle.

TowerStork · 31/12/2022 11:10

Is there any good source to hear the pronunciations of the names?

Original poster
StColumbofNavron · 31/12/2022 10:54

It is such a fabulous opening line, really sets the tone, imo.

Loving all the covers.

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DesdamonasHandkerchief · 31/12/2022 10:49

I've downloaded the Penguin Classics Pevear and Volonkhonsky (the one you used for the reading breakdown St Colombo) to my Kindle. I wasn't keen on the rather melodramatic reading of that addition on Audible though and my Audible subscription includes a reading of the Maud translation by David Horovitch, so I'll probably be going between translations which could be interesting/irritating!

Very excited to see that iconic opening line about all happy families being the same and all unhappy families being unhappy in their own unique way.
You know you're reading a classic when you recognise the opening line!

TowerStork · 31/12/2022 09:59

Took it down from the shelf.

Anna Karenina Readalong, 2023
TowerStork · 30/12/2022 23:25

I've been meaning to read this for a while so I'm looking forward to this.

MyCousinDaphne · 30/12/2022 20:34

Oh this sounds great, I'm in. I have this copy

Watermelonchic · 30/12/2022 20:18

I would love to join! Am new to Mumsnet and was pondering reading W&P one chapter per day next year anyway but this sounds great instead x

MamaNewtNewt · 30/12/2022 20:12

I'm in! I've never read Anna Karenina before.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 30/12/2022 20:07

The covers are wonderful! I love looking at them. I think I'm going to have to get myself a paperback :)

MaudOfTheMarches · 30/12/2022 20:04

@StayWeird I have that one and I like that translation.

StayWeird · 30/12/2022 20:01

I'm in! I missed the W&P read-along but looking forward to this and a chapter a day sounds manageable. I have a second hand copy of the Rosemary Edmonds translation but am very tempted by the Penguin clothbound classic. This is the cover of my edition

Anna Karenina Readalong, 2023
BeastOfBODMAS · 30/12/2022 19:13

I’m going to try to join you (and keep up!)
I have the free Apple Books version, not sure which translation.
Its been on my list to read for a while

LegoLady95 · 30/12/2022 19:11

Love this idea, have ordered on kindle.

CornishLizard · 30/12/2022 19:03

Read the op and happy to see that it looks like I’m mostly working to the same number of chapters on this one.

I wish I could remember where I got the book, it looks like a ‘second’ but not necessarily secondhand. This is my copy:

Anna Karenina Readalong, 2023
JustAPony · 30/12/2022 17:40

Oooh! I started reading this for the second time a month or so ago but Christmas plans took over my time. I absolutely loved it first time round so will jump in here with you guys if that’s ok?
I have a kindle edition,no idea what one. It was on the freebies kindle list years ago so I downloaded it then.

MinervaRemus · 30/12/2022 17:37

I'd love to join too. I tried the w and p readalong last year but only managed until about April. Hopefully, I'll do better this year. Off shopping now!

musicmaiden · 30/12/2022 17:24

Here is my old, yellowed copy from student days Not sure if Anna looks dreamy or consumptive here! It doesn't even say who the translator is. I might put the lovely clothbound on my birthday list 😊

Anna Karenina Readalong, 2023
Anna Karenina Readalong, 2023
SanFranBear · 30/12/2022 16:57

It arrived 😍

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 30/12/2022 16:27

Checking in 🫡

MaudOfTheMarches · 30/12/2022 13:56

I'd like to join, please! I've read Anna Karenina several times before and get something different from it each time. My strong reading preference is Kindle, then paperback, so naturally I'm reading this in hardback. I picked this up from my local Oxfam bookshop a while ago - 1930s edition of the Constance Garnett translation.

Anna Karenina Readalong, 2023
Original poster
StColumbofNavron · 30/12/2022 11:12

AthenaWhite · 29/12/2022 21:23

Does this start on the 1st?

Yes. So book 1, chapter 1 on 1 Jan. the thread normally has spoilers and chat as people read each chapter. Some read it every day at a particular time, like a habit, some save up and catch up at the weekend or just check in from time to time.

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