I’m another Footnotes and Tangents W&P survivor. Looking forward to reading AK. I’ve tried a few times before but am feeling confident this time I’ll finish. I notice it will be even longer than W&P time wise going over into 2026!
Yes even longer! But not quite as long as contemporary readers took to read it - they had to wait for three years between the first instalment and the last!
I’m so thrilled to have found this Substack! I started AK last night as my first book of the year. The idea of reading along slowly over the course of 14 months makes me feel much more confident in reading the entirety of the largest book I’ve ever attempted. Thank you for this offering, I’m glad to be here!
I’m in! I just bought the hard cover and the Kindle version. I work part time at a library, and I like to prop my phone up on my computer screen when it’s slow and read my slow-read classics at the library. Feels like the best place! 🤣📚
Read it long ago and enjoyed it immensely. Though I have to say, the Levin and Kitty subplot resonated with me more than Anna's story. I'm due to re-read this.
I read Anna Karenina in my little rural high school -- to prove I was up to the challenge, I guess. The biggest book I'd read to that point was Mutiny on the Bounty, which I read in junior high in picturesque style -- late into the night under the covers with a flashlight.
I'm eager to revisit the story and characters I'd tell my friends about every day at lunch.
Hello from NYC, and thanks so much for gathering us! I’m to take on AK with you and WP with Simon at the same time, and some Shakespeare and Austen with Henry Oliver — an embarrassment of reading riches and a perhaps understandable escape into other centuries.
It’s so great to see many familiar names from Simon’s War and Peace 2024 slow read here. I’m yet another participant who just completed the 2024 slow read, and I’m all set—and very excited—for Anna Karenina. Happy New Year to you, @HenryEliot, and to my fellow readers.
As I live in two different states, I have the RB translation in California and the PandV translation in New Mexico. We shall see if they flow together or feel disjointed.
I’m another reader of War and Peace with Simon in 2024. Looking forward to this! Henry, do you have a recommendation for an audio version of AK? I like to read as well as listen.
Great to have you here Michele. I would recommend the Penguin Classics audiobook, translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky, narrated by Miranda Pleasance – the Naxos and Audible editions both use the classic, out of copyright but much older (1901) Constance Garnett translation.
As part of my own reading project, I'll be posting a reflection on Anna Karenina in a few days. Since it's one of those incredible books that repays multiple readings, I am looking forward to this slow reading of it and expect to learn a lot. Thank you for organizing and leading this mission.
I’ve just started War and Peace with Simon Haisell and have had Anna Karenina on my mind since, even trying to find the BBC serialisation with Nicola Paget last night. I read it originally at University but look forward to this much slower immersion and discussion with you all here
Cannot wait - just finished up with Simon Haisell's slow read of War & Peace, and am thrilled to delve into a pure novel by the same author.
Perfect! Like Tolstoy you can switch from the 1810s to the 1870s . . .
Happy to see you here Susan 👏🏻
Another W&P convert of Simon’s seeking more Tolstoy wisdom
Welcome! It’s lovely to have you here.
Me too!!
I’m another Footnotes and Tangents W&P survivor. Looking forward to reading AK. I’ve tried a few times before but am feeling confident this time I’ll finish. I notice it will be even longer than W&P time wise going over into 2026!
Yes even longer! But not quite as long as contemporary readers took to read it - they had to wait for three years between the first instalment and the last!
I’m so thrilled to have found this Substack! I started AK last night as my first book of the year. The idea of reading along slowly over the course of 14 months makes me feel much more confident in reading the entirety of the largest book I’ve ever attempted. Thank you for this offering, I’m glad to be here!
Brilliant to have you here Ashley! And what a serendipitous coincidence. I’m looking forward to getting started!
Another refugee from the War and Peace slow read here. I wonder if Henry knows what he's let himself in for...
Ha! I’m looking forward to finding out!
I’m in! I just bought the hard cover and the Kindle version. I work part time at a library, and I like to prop my phone up on my computer screen when it’s slow and read my slow-read classics at the library. Feels like the best place! 🤣📚
Perfect! That sounds great - and so good to have you on board.
Read it long ago and enjoyed it immensely. Though I have to say, the Levin and Kitty subplot resonated with me more than Anna's story. I'm due to re-read this.
It will be interesting to see if it resonates any differently this time round!
Have read it but zipped through it. Learned through Simon’s War snd Peace year that slow means plunging into unexpected depths
I'm looking forward to it!
I read Anna Karenina in my little rural high school -- to prove I was up to the challenge, I guess. The biggest book I'd read to that point was Mutiny on the Bounty, which I read in junior high in picturesque style -- late into the night under the covers with a flashlight.
I'm eager to revisit the story and characters I'd tell my friends about every day at lunch.
Very impressive! It'll be fascinating to see if it feels different second time round.
Hello from NYC, and thanks so much for gathering us! I’m to take on AK with you and WP with Simon at the same time, and some Shakespeare and Austen with Henry Oliver — an embarrassment of reading riches and a perhaps understandable escape into other centuries.
An impressive line-up! You're in for a great 2025!
Me too (and I hope slow but quicker reads of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Middlemarch’) It’s pure joy ☺️
Brilliant!
It’s so great to see many familiar names from Simon’s War and Peace 2024 slow read here. I’m yet another participant who just completed the 2024 slow read, and I’m all set—and very excited—for Anna Karenina. Happy New Year to you, @HenryEliot, and to my fellow readers.
Happy New Year Catherine! Brilliant to have you with us. I’m looking forward to it!
As I live in two different states, I have the RB translation in California and the PandV translation in New Mexico. We shall see if they flow together or feel disjointed.
That will be very interesting! Let us know how you get on.
I’m another reader of War and Peace with Simon in 2024. Looking forward to this! Henry, do you have a recommendation for an audio version of AK? I like to read as well as listen.
Great to have you here Michele. I would recommend the Penguin Classics audiobook, translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky, narrated by Miranda Pleasance – the Naxos and Audible editions both use the classic, out of copyright but much older (1901) Constance Garnett translation.
Sounds great, Henry! This may be of some use
https://welovetranslations.com/2021/06/18/whats-the-best-translation-of-anna-karenina/
Looking forward to it. Thanks, Mark
Incredible - thank you so much! This is an extremely helpful resource. And I'm glad to see the Bartlett translation gets a good write-up!
FWIW, I have this one at the moment
https://bookshop.org/p/books/anna-karenina-leo-tolstoy/15541209?ean=9780679783305
As part of my own reading project, I'll be posting a reflection on Anna Karenina in a few days. Since it's one of those incredible books that repays multiple readings, I am looking forward to this slow reading of it and expect to learn a lot. Thank you for organizing and leading this mission.
Thank you Robert! Please do share a link to your reflections on this group. It’s great to have you with us!
Not sure where to share it. I mentioned this read-along in my post.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-154704231?source=queue&autoPlay=false
Thank you so much Robert! Much appreciated. That's such an impressive project . . .
I’ve just started War and Peace with Simon Haisell and have had Anna Karenina on my mind since, even trying to find the BBC serialisation with Nicola Paget last night. I read it originally at University but look forward to this much slower immersion and discussion with you all here
It’s wonderful to have you with us Jaimie - I’m looking forward to reading with you!