When I was in my twenties I read with great care and attention ‘War and Peace’ and it remains one of my greatest reading experiences. In those time rich days I even kept a notebook to help me stay up to speed with all the characters and their connections. Now, in my fifties, with your wonderful project Henry, I can finally get to grips with this other great work. The only thing I really know about it is the truth of its famous opening line.
Really looking forward to this. I have never read anything over such a long time period, and given that many authors used to publish like this, I've often wondered how it felt for readers. So now we'll find out 😁
Thanks, Henry. I am really looking forward to this. I've just come off Simon's year long slow read of War & Peace and it was a wonderful experience. I know that Tolstoy himself didn't consider War & Peace a novel, but he did consider Anna Karenina one. I am really intrigued to read it now.
Thank you for adding the photo images in this essay. I can add some visualizations to my reading. I am very excited to take this Anna K journey with you all . Thank you for the encouragement.
I found my copy of Anna Karenin. Penguin Books /yellow with age. Translated with introduction by Rosemary Edmonds 1954. [Same age as me]. So excited to be reading along.
Thank you Henry. So looking forward to read and discuss Anna Karenina with you and the group. Greta Garbo in Anna Karenina’s film is my all time favourite.
When I was in my twenties I read with great care and attention ‘War and Peace’ and it remains one of my greatest reading experiences. In those time rich days I even kept a notebook to help me stay up to speed with all the characters and their connections. Now, in my fifties, with your wonderful project Henry, I can finally get to grips with this other great work. The only thing I really know about it is the truth of its famous opening line.
I’m thrilled! I’m looking forward to sharing the experience with you, Royston.
I just finished War and Peace and can’t wait to dig back into Anna K.
Really looking forward to this. I have never read anything over such a long time period, and given that many authors used to publish like this, I've often wondered how it felt for readers. So now we'll find out 😁
Thanks, Henry. I am really looking forward to this. I've just come off Simon's year long slow read of War & Peace and it was a wonderful experience. I know that Tolstoy himself didn't consider War & Peace a novel, but he did consider Anna Karenina one. I am really intrigued to read it now.
Yes that’s right! Anna Karenina was his first work that he described as a novel. I look forward to discussing why!
Thank you for adding the photo images in this essay. I can add some visualizations to my reading. I am very excited to take this Anna K journey with you all . Thank you for the encouragement.
Yes, it’s interesting to see the progression from youth to old age.
Thanks both! Much appreciated. I'm looking forward to the journey!
I found my copy of Anna Karenin. Penguin Books /yellow with age. Translated with introduction by Rosemary Edmonds 1954. [Same age as me]. So excited to be reading along.
Great to have you with us Cheryl!
Thank you Henry. So looking forward to read and discuss Anna Karenina with you and the group. Greta Garbo in Anna Karenina’s film is my all time favourite.
I’m preparing by reading Nabokov’s lecture.
Great idea John. For those who are intrigued, here is a link to the text online: https://www.rusliterature.org/vladimir-nabokovs-lecture-on-anna-karenin-1877/
I read Ak before. When finished, I wondered why the book wasn’t titles “Levin.”
Tolstoy at 20 was the photo that captured me.
I agree - such aristocratic arrogance in that expression . . .
Thanks for the bio, Henry! Looking forward to this.
Hey, the Anna k links to the thin man post. Looking forward to reading along 👍🏻
Thanks for flagging Emma! I've corrected online - and here's the correct link for anyone else who was wondering! https://henryeliot.substack.com/p/anna-karenina
Thanks Emma and Henry