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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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DesdamonasHandkerchief · 26/08/2023 16:38

26th August
Anna Karenina Part 8, Chapter 10

•	When Levin simply lives instead of thinks about living, everything is fine.
•	Levin was once consumed by the idea of serving mankind and performing great deeds for humanity, but has now realized that those ideals worked better in the abstract than in actuality.
•	Now that Levin confines himself to what affects himself and his family personally, he finds work much more agreeable. He doesn't feel the same joy at working on his estate that he used to, but he's gotten better at it now that he performs his chores without too much philosophy.
•	Levin stays busy and adheres to a strict code of conduct; this code doesn't seem to be dedicated to maximum profit.
•	
•	It bothers him when he thinks about it too deeply, so instead of thinking he has decided to just live.
FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 26/08/2023 18:15

Levin is all about Levin really :)

Tarahumara · 26/08/2023 18:57

He's a bit of an over thinker isn't he!

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 26/08/2023 19:27

Isn't he! The first line of the summary says it all. He needs to put the philosophy books away!

JamesGiantPledge1 · 26/08/2023 20:53

He’d drive me mad. It’s all a tad self indulgent.

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 27/08/2023 07:42

This section feels very autobiographical to me. Like this is something Tolstoy struggled with. And yes you just want to say OFGS get over yourself!

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 27/08/2023 07:45

27th August
Anna Karenina Part 8, Chapter 11

•	The day that Koznyshev arrives in the country is one of Levin's most stressful days. Whenever he has time to think, however, the questions of who he is, what he's doing, and what the purpose of his life is, consume his thoughts.
•	Out on the farm, he wonders why he is so devoted to his work and to overseeing the peasants working. He ponders the inevitability of death, and the pointlessness of all his efforts.
•	He falls into conversation with a peasant named Theodore (or Fyodor).
•	
•	Theodore speaks negatively of an innkeeper who takes no pity on peasants who can't pay back the loans he gives them. But another peasant, a wealthy man named Platon, lends willingly and won't press you too hard for repayment. So he comes out short sometimes, but overall, he's still a good, wealthy man. The innkeeper, for Theodore, is an example of a man who lives for his own needs, just to stuff his own belly. Platon, on the other hand, is a man who lives for the soul, and remembers God.
•	Levin practically yells at him for the definition of remembering God and living for your soul. What does he mean? He sees that this is the key to his philosophical angst.
•	Before Theodore can finish explaining, Levin runs off with thoughts going nonstop through his mind.
Original poster
StColumbofNavron · 27/08/2023 14:28

@DesdamonasHandkerchief you are right, Levin is the Pierre of this piece and is the philosophical Tolstoy.

I can tolerate Levin’s musings (sort of) because it’s presented as his inner thinking (except when Kitty has to reassure him) and I think all sorts of weird things in my own head from time to time.

I am not sure why Tolstoy thought we’d want to know Levin’s inner thinking though.

There are definitely times that this book could easily been called ‘Konstantinos Levin’ instead of ‘Anna Karenina’.

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cassandre · 27/08/2023 17:03

That is such an interesting point about how these boring Levin chapters are Tolstoy at his most autobiographical!

I'm not sure why but I felt more sympathy for Andrei and Pierre in their existentialist crises that I do for Levin!

There's also an element of class and gender bias I think, as women like Kitty and earnest peasants seem to know intuitively how to live an ethical life, whereas Levin, as an upper-class man, has to figure it out intellectually.

Anna had an existential/ethical crisis too, but (because she was a woman?!) her emotions overcame her before she had a chance to grapple with it properly.

I have loved this novel, but I'm not in love with Levin and the way he seems to be represented as the more ethical male counterpart of Anna.

cassandre · 27/08/2023 17:05

And yes self-indulgent is the right word James. If Levin strikes us as self-indulgent, it's because Tolstoy himself is being a bit self-indulgent here!

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 28/08/2023 09:50

28th August
Anna Karenina Part 8, Chapter 12

•	Levin's soul is affected by his conversation with Theodore. As he ponders it more deeply, he realizes that he has discovered nothing that he didn't know already. Rather than living only for himself, he has been living life for some greater cause that he was unable to name—he has been living for God all along.
•	Levin thinks about personal needs being subordinated to the service of truth. He realizes that the life of the spirit is the only thing worth living for. If you try to do good to accomplish something, it is no longer good. You have to do good for its own sake, and that is service to God.
•	This epiphany could never come from reason, because rational thinking is all about cause and effect. Good is outside rationality, and has to come from whatever it is that we call love or God. This faith is beyond the rationale even of the Church. He replaces the teachings of the Church itself with a belief in the importance of serving good instead of one's needs.
•	
•	Levin thanks God for this revelation.
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Original poster
StColumbofNavron · 28/08/2023 18:32

I think Tolstoy is quite remarkable, but each time I get to the end of W&P and AK I just think - why?? Why couldn't he stop.

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CornishLizard · 28/08/2023 20:19

Thanks for the Madame Bovary thread StColumb, will check in soon.

Of this section so far, other than Vronsky’s and his mother’s reactions to Anna’s death, I have mainly skimmed. I wish the philosophy had been separated and headed ‘Outtakes’. Am quietly hoping for rather more about the aftermath and less about Levin’s self examination.

Original poster
StColumbofNavron · 28/08/2023 21:34

I envy your optimism @CornishLizard

Is anyone planning on watching any adaptations once everyone has finished?

There are obviously lots in many languages, but I guess key English language versions:

Films
1935, with Greta Garbo and Frederic March
1948, with Vivien Leigh and Ralph Richardson (I have seen this one, but I love Vivien Leigh so I know my view is skewed)
1997, Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean (prob familiar to many)
2012, Keira Knightley (have opinions on this)

TV Series
1961 with Claire Bloom and Sean Connery (BBC)
1977, 10 episodes, Nicola Pagett, Eric Porter and Stuart Wilson
2000, PBS with the wonderful late Helen McCrory (though I have not seen this)
2013, discussed on this thread and my favourite and I think @MamaNewtNewt or @mrsmama 's too, with Vittoria Puccini and Santiago Cabrera (actually Italian mini series, but I watched in English, it has flaws but is brilliant)

Have put those I plan to watch in bold.

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DesdamonasHandkerchief · 29/08/2023 10:28

29th August
Anna Karenina Part 8, Chapter 13

•	Levin recalls watching Dolly’s children wasting food while playing a game, and compares this abuse of food with the act of philosophizing.
•	He thinks that philosophers are just like these children: like the kids, they have been provided with everything they need to nourish themselves (spiritually, at least), but they take it for granted, wasting what they’ve been given in intellectual games. Faith in goodness and the meaning of life is built into our natures, but these fools keep trying to prove what we all already know to begin with.
•	
•	As Levin lies on his back in a field, he realizes that the globe is round, but that he cannot see that roundness; all he can see is the flatness of the sky.
•	Similarly, Levin knows at last that he is part of a universe that he doesn’t really understand. He can’t really know anything about Creation—the devil, heaven, hell, etc. He knows what he’s been told, but he has no proof. So it has to be enough for him to believe in God, and to let go of his need for rational explanation.
•	Levin names this new feeling of completeness inside of him “faith,” and thanks God for it.
InTheCludgie · 29/08/2023 12:37

I think I'll see what versions are free or cheap to buy on Prime and watch this weekend when DH is working nightshift.

JamesGiantPledge1 · 29/08/2023 20:01

Someone needed to say to Tolstoy, stop writing now.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 29/08/2023 21:25

At least he only wrote one epilogue this time!

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 29/08/2023 22:28

JamesGiantPledge1 · 29/08/2023 20:01

Someone needed to say to Tolstoy, stop writing now.

🤣 I totally agree! He never knows when to throw in the towel!

Tarahumara · 30/08/2023 07:55

Yes! Give it a rest now Tolstoy.

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 30/08/2023 12:07

30th August
Anna Karenina Part 8, Chapter 14

•	Having found faith, Levin resolves to never quarrel with anyone again.
•	Then he fights with the first person with whom he interacts: the coachman.
•	When he gets back to the house, he learns that Kitty has taken Mitya out to the forest in order to escape the summer heat.
•	Koznyshev notes that it's about to rain.
•	Levin takes Koznyshev and Katavasov to see the beehive.
•	Despite his failure to be perfect and never fight with anyone, he still believes that his soul experienced a profound epiphany, and as he watches the bees surround him, he knows that his spiritual strength will remain intact.
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 31/08/2023 13:17

31st August
Anna Karenina Part 8, Chapter 15

•	The assembled company (Dolly, kids, Katavasov, Koznyshev, the old Prince, Levin) begins gossiping about Vronsky and the Serbian War.
•	The old Prince is skeptical of the movement to help the Slavs, but Koznyshev and Katavasov eagerly defend it. Koznyshev feels that this is a moment in which the clear destiny of a people (the Slavs as a whole) has become clear.
•	Levin asks a peasant who is serving them whether he has heard priests preaching for the Slavist cause in the pulpits. After all, the Serbs are Eastern Orthodox Christians who are fighting off Muslim occupiers. The old peasant replies, what is there to think about? The Czar gets to decide, and he knows better than anyone.
•	
•	Koznyshev says that he can see the rightness of this cause because he has seen numerous people from across Russia volunteering to join it. Levin claims that's just proof that they've lost their social positions or squandered their money at home and are looking for an escape from their situations. This idea of supporting the Slavic people is so vague. Look at this peasant, Levin says, he doesn't think of battling on the Slavic side as "the will of the people."
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 01/09/2023 08:33

1st September
Anna Karenina Part 8, Chapter 16

•	Koznyshev turns the conversation in another direction. Conversation resumes around defining the "spirit of the people" and the obligations of the media.
•	Koznyshev feels that the intelligentsia, the intellectual class, of the world has merged with other classes. Everyone's united.
•	The old Prince Shcherbatsky points out that it might seem that way, because all the newspapers sound the same. But what does that have to do with the will of the people?
•	Levin points out timidly that this isn't just a matter of self-sacrifice: war with the Turks would also mean demanding that these volunteers murder other people.
•	
•	But all the free thinkers, especially Katavasov, don't see why that's a problem, because they don't really believe in the soul. Levin sees that Koznyshev and Katavasov aren't going to change their minds, so he stops bothering.
•	The rain clouds gather in greater intensity. Levin points them out and suggests they return home.
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 02/09/2023 11:45

2nd September
Anna Karenina Part 8, Chapter 17

•	The Prince and Koznyshev drive home in the gig (a small, horse-drawn carriage), while everyone else goes back on foot.
•	They're still far from the house when the sky threatens to rain. They reach the shelter of the porch right as the rain begins.
•	Levin immediately asks Miss Agatha about Kitty's whereabouts. She says that Kitty is probably still in the woods.
•	Levin rushes off immediately.
•	When he gets near what he knows is Kitty's favorite oak tree, he sees it fall. He prays that his family was not hit.
•	
•	He cannot find them for a moment, but then sees them calling to him from the other side of the wood.
•	The nanny, Kitty, and Mitya are all perfectly all right. Mitya is safe and dry in his baby carriage.
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