Anna Karenina Readalong, 2023

[StColumbofNavron]

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.

Erm, I need an edit function - the last link should read ‘cornering the Russian lit market’.

Also, this is my well read edition. The pages are falling out in parts.

Looking forwards to this (particularly the farming definitely more my thing than War) and thank you for the shiny new thread!

Sounds like a fun challenge to me . Would this work o kindle edition?

@dyzzidi yep. Depending on exactly which translation etc it might differ slightly, but we didn’t really encounter any big issues with W&P.

Love this idea- will give it a go!

I have a paper copy of Anna Karenina somewhere (think it's at my mum's as we were having work done) but think I'll get it on my kindle. My poor eyes are not what they were when I read it before!

I have the DVD (possibly 2 DVD's) of the adaptation with Helen McCrory as Anna Karenina, so will look forward to revisiting that at the end.

Just realised I name changed. Was ClinkeyMonkey on the War and Peace thread!!

Me too! Is anyone getting it on Audible?

Checking in and ridiculously excited for another annual readalong. I thoroughly enjoyed War & Peace and that was mostly to do with our daily chats and the wonderful summaries and discussions. So many smart, eloquent women on that thread - I got so much more from what was my second read through of that beast!

I've got the Pevear & Volokhonsky penguins classic translation of AK on its way to me.. I'm hoping it'll be here before the 1st as I want to read the physical book! I may have to play catch up at the beginning but totally on board!

I’m going to check my bookcase in the morning and if I have a copy, I’m in.

Ah, I didn't see the first read along but can I join this one?

AK has been sitting on my shelf for years and I've not managed to get through it so hopefully this will be the push I need

Thanks for the thread @StColumbofNavron! I've just bought the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation on kindle.

@Funnywonder I have seen a number of adaptations and have thoughts. 😁I will save them (mostly) for the end of the read.

What a great idea. I'm hoping this thread will keep me on track to finish a book I've always wanted to read. I've just ordered a second-hand copy.

Thank you to @StColumbofNavron

Thanks for getting us started @StColumbofNavron , I'll get myself a kindle copy of the version you discussed uptrend.

Will be interested to hear your thoughts @StColumbofNavron😃😃

Am pondering the Rosamund Bartlett translation from 2014 on kindle, but haven't made a decision yet. Is anyone else considering it? I suppose I shouldn't get too diverted by the translation - I mean, if my eyesight was better, I'd be reading my paperback version without a second thought!!

I've just bought the Bartlett translation on Kindle @Funnywonder - I read the sample of several of the options & liked it the best from the first chapter or so. Kindle (or rather kindle app on my phone) works best for me for the readalong as it lets me read in bed with the lights off if I wake up before DP. That and bigger print - for some reason classics always seem to come with tiny print on paper.

I'd like to join, please. It's been years since I last read, so would be keen to read again at a nice leisurely pace.

I'm in. Am an avid reader but have never read Tolstoy and like the idea of a 'book club' approach where we can discuss each chapter.

I've just found a hardback copy of the book that I bought ages ago and obviously meant to read (and never did) - so am feeling pleased and ready to go!

Thanks so much for setting this up StColombofNavron! I went for the P and V translation on Kindle, having recognised this pair from the translations of War and Peace. (No Briggs this time round!) Looking forward to getting started.

This is my edition @StColumbofNavron

Yay! Loved W&P I'm 2022 as part of the group and very happy to read Anna Karenina in 2023. I started reading it just after my first DC was born and couldn't get into it at all, not surprisingly. I even got rid of it, so will have to download the Kindle edition. Looking forward to giving it another go and the one chapter per day model makes it easy to get through these big books. Thanks @StColumbofNavron for the new thread.

I love Wordsworth covers. This makes me think Anna Karenina at London Fashion Week. Love it.

Thanks @Sadik🙂

I ended up buying two Kindle versions of War and Peace when I was following the readalong and stuck with the Briggs, so I must prefer the most modern translation! I'm going to try the Bartlett version of AK and see how it goes.