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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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Thread gallery
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musicmaiden · 01/01/2023 23:38

Loved Schmoop on W&P!

I think we've all regretted our reactions to things from time to time.... It's funny how Oblonsky thinks the situation isn't really his fault, though. Tolstoy's men in general aren't terribly good at admitting their failings, are they?

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 02/01/2023 00:08

Thanks guys ☺️ I'll try to post daily summaries.

MyCousinDaphne · 02/01/2023 07:19

Just read my firdt two chapters- it's hard not to keep going! I think Tolstoy really captures the fact that as humans we are drawn to some people regardless of their faults or what they have done wrong. He says the whole household are on Oblonsky's side even though he is the one who has done wrong. Because Oblonsky is attractive and Dolly is "foolish" or dull or aging (at 34, haha)

SydneyCarton · 02/01/2023 07:59

Different times and different society, but I love how he leaves all the life admin about the house and children to his wife and is still shocked by her reaction to his affair. Oblonsky obviously believes he’s a Nice Guy Hmm

Moro93 · 02/01/2023 08:42

I’m arriving late but would like to join!
I’m pushing myself to get back into reading and have already finished a couple of books. AK is one on my list so this will be a good chance to read it.

I’ve ordered a copy which is arriving tomorrow morning and then I’ll do some catch up 😊

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 02/01/2023 09:54

Thank you for posting the Shmoop summary Desdamona! in the proverbial doghouse 😅 I agree that Oblonsky is being portrayed as a lovable rogue and that in Tolstoy, men are often not good at admitting their failings, as musicmaiden pointed out. * *

mrsmama · 02/01/2023 10:24

Hi all, a long time lurker here . May I join please , albeit a bit late? I have found AK absolutely fascinating ever since I first read it many years ago.My interest got revived again after watching an absolutely fab version of it on Amazon Prime during lockdown in 2020- this was the one with Vittoria Puccini and Santiago Cabrera .The background music was sublime.Sorry for the spoiler but ,It portrayed the parallel contrasting stories of AK and Levin beautifully - My favourite screen version! Sorry I digress but had to be said.
Interestingly my understanding and perception of the various characters has also varied over the years. I’m so looking forward to reading it again and reading what others make of the various characters and the setting. Thank you for this thread. Pic of my battered old copy from decades ago attached !

Anna Karenina Readalong, 2023
MamaNewtNewt · 02/01/2023 10:29

Well I totally misjudged things in Chapter 1!

I was clenching my teeth reading this one, maybe your wife is old before her time because she's been pregnant at least 7 times, something you might have had something to do with Stevie...!

I hope he's deluding himself about everyone being on his side, his wife has been humiliated by him having an affair with one of their staff members, I'd hate to think this was compounded by her having no allies in the house. To me he blatantly realises he had done wrong but can't quite bring himself to admit it, as that would puncture his picture of himself as a "good guy" so he is looking for excuses. Just man up and apologise!

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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Bumpsadaisie · 02/01/2023 11:05

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

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
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!

Bumpsadaisie · 02/01/2023 12:05



LegoLady95 · 02/01/2023 12:08

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

Piggywaspushed · 02/01/2023 12:27

Yes, governess definitely preggers!

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 12:41

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

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!

**

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.

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

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.

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.

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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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.
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…