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.

Oh, I might do this one! Didn't do W and P as had only just read it but never done AK.

Thanks StColumb for the thread! I’ve got an Everyman’s copy (Maude translation) that’s been sitting on my shelf for many years, I’ve never got past the first few pages! But I enjoyed tagging along on the War and Peace read along this year and am looking forward to joining you for AK.

I'm in! I'd just bought a beautiful copy of AK when you all decided to do a W+P read along
Mine is the gorgeous edition designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith. Will post a photo tomorrow.

Does this start on the 1st?

I'll have to dig my copy out of one of the boxes of paperbacks in the attic. I think it's either a World Classics edition or a black and white photo cover. I might have a hardback on the bookshelves but I'd rather read a pb.

I said I probably wasn't going to do this but I can't resist! I'm away so can't check but think mine is an old Wordsworth with yellowed pages and very close print so will also take a look at Kindle, although I loved my clothbound Penguin of W&P...

I would like to join this as I have already got it on Kindle although I'll find a paperback as well as I prefer that format.

Thank you @StColumbofNavron ! I wasn't going to join in this one as I felt a bit Tolstoyed out after the second epilogue. 😅 I'm fully recovered now though and off to choose my kindle copy.

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.

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.

Checking in 🫡

It arrived 😍

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 😊

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!

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.

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:

Love this idea, have ordered on kindle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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