I read Anna Karenina several years ago and loved his descriptions of Russian family life and society. I'm also reading Idiot by Dostoevsky. I put it down for a while but I think I'll pick it up again. I'd love to read more Tolstoy. I find Russian history fascinating. The connection you make between Russian society and our society is very interesting. Oh my gosh! So many books to read. So little time! I recently watched a series with Ewen McGregor called A Gentleman in Moscow. So good! Just at the beginning of the revolution. I have Karen's book so I'm going to read that chapter again!
I started reading "Resurrection" some time ago, but then put it down -- not because I didn't like it, but because I always have too many books going at once, and I couldn't keep up with them all. You've inspired me to pick it back up as soon as I can! :-) Thanks!
Interestingly, one of the books I put it down for was War and Peace, because my book club decided to read that one. Thus far, I like Resurrection better than W&P. The characters feel more real and well-rounded to me.
Thank you for your terrific article. A friend and I read Anna Karenina together over the course of a year. So glad we did read it together! We marveled, were flabbergasted at the characters, were indignant and impressed in turn - and those were our reactions just to the characters. We were also astonished at the powerful beauty of Tolstoy's writing, his insight, his humor. I certainly would have missed the intricacy of many individual scenes within the story, so rich in symbolism and revelation, if I had read it alone. I surely would have experienced greater confusion and less enjoyment, as well.
I believe there is a cultural connection between the countries of Russia and France, as illustrated in the marvelous book, "Dreams of My Russian Summers: A Novel" by Andrei Makine. That connection provided an interesting lens through which to view Anna Karenina, and War and Peace.
Teri, thank you for your insight and your Makine book recommendation, I appreciate the thought you put into the comment. I would love to read AK; if I did, I would do it very slowly, maybe even over the course of a year. I believe you are correct about the cultural connection. There was a lot of French in Resurrection. It seemed like the wealthy Russians loved to speak it.
Reminds me of my time in War and Peace, a must read, yet a “why am I doing this to myself” read. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 thanks for reminding me that literature is still alive 🎉
Hi Caroline, thank you for sharing. I am discovering that literature is alive, and in my following three newsletters, you will see how relevant the themes in Resurrection are today. It was so surprising for me. Can you tell me what War and Peace was like? Resurrection is said to be Tolstoy's darkest novel. Were there any moments of reprieve in War and Peace?
I read Anna Karenina several years ago and loved his descriptions of Russian family life and society. I'm also reading Idiot by Dostoevsky. I put it down for a while but I think I'll pick it up again. I'd love to read more Tolstoy. I find Russian history fascinating. The connection you make between Russian society and our society is very interesting. Oh my gosh! So many books to read. So little time! I recently watched a series with Ewen McGregor called A Gentleman in Moscow. So good! Just at the beginning of the revolution. I have Karen's book so I'm going to read that chapter again!
Your review riveted me. I've got a copy en route via ebay. Looking forward to the rest of your series!
Thank you, Hillary, for encouraging me. I hope you find the book as fascinating as I did.
I started reading "Resurrection" some time ago, but then put it down -- not because I didn't like it, but because I always have too many books going at once, and I couldn't keep up with them all. You've inspired me to pick it back up as soon as I can! :-) Thanks!
Awesome! I think you will appreciate it. Do you remember anything from it or have any thoughts on it?
Interestingly, one of the books I put it down for was War and Peace, because my book club decided to read that one. Thus far, I like Resurrection better than W&P. The characters feel more real and well-rounded to me.
Resurrection is his last novel so I wonder if writing War and Peace he learned how to develop his characters better.
I haven't yet read this, but perhaps I should add it to the list. 🤔
Please read it, Sherry, so I can discuss it with you!
Thank you for your terrific article. A friend and I read Anna Karenina together over the course of a year. So glad we did read it together! We marveled, were flabbergasted at the characters, were indignant and impressed in turn - and those were our reactions just to the characters. We were also astonished at the powerful beauty of Tolstoy's writing, his insight, his humor. I certainly would have missed the intricacy of many individual scenes within the story, so rich in symbolism and revelation, if I had read it alone. I surely would have experienced greater confusion and less enjoyment, as well.
I believe there is a cultural connection between the countries of Russia and France, as illustrated in the marvelous book, "Dreams of My Russian Summers: A Novel" by Andrei Makine. That connection provided an interesting lens through which to view Anna Karenina, and War and Peace.
Teri, thank you for your insight and your Makine book recommendation, I appreciate the thought you put into the comment. I would love to read AK; if I did, I would do it very slowly, maybe even over the course of a year. I believe you are correct about the cultural connection. There was a lot of French in Resurrection. It seemed like the wealthy Russians loved to speak it.
Reminds me of my time in War and Peace, a must read, yet a “why am I doing this to myself” read. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 thanks for reminding me that literature is still alive 🎉
Hi Caroline, thank you for sharing. I am discovering that literature is alive, and in my following three newsletters, you will see how relevant the themes in Resurrection are today. It was so surprising for me. Can you tell me what War and Peace was like? Resurrection is said to be Tolstoy's darkest novel. Were there any moments of reprieve in War and Peace?