Anna Karenina has fast become one of my favourite books of all time. But there’s no denying it’s a long book. Don’t let the length, or the large cast of Russian names, put you off though.
Once you settle into Tolstoy’s world, you become very much at home. You make friends with Levin, Vronsky, Stefi, Anna, et al. You become wrapped up in, enraptured with, the issues they’re all dealing with.
Anna Karenina is Audiobook Pick of the Week
I’ve been alternating between the wonderful Pevear and Volokhonsky translation (a cute old couple that have translated 30+ works of Russian literature) and the 35-hour audio version read by Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Without a doubt, Gyllenhaal’s narration is some of the best I’ve ever enjoyed. If she goes on to narrate a few more books, she’ll be hung in the Narrator’s Hall of Fame.
I’m not going to say much more about the book. I’m just going to implore you to read it. Then we can discuss it once you’ve made your way through the first hundred or so pages.
Grab the audio version as a one off here, or use this link to get a free Audible credit and start listening today.
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