22 Comments
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Royston Vince's avatar

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.

Henry Eliot's avatar

I’m thrilled! I’m looking forward to sharing the experience with you, Royston.

Rachel Vogeleisen Photographer's avatar

I just finished War and Peace and can’t wait to dig back into Anna K.

Jill Molloy's avatar

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.

Donna's avatar

Yes, it’s interesting to see the progression from youth to old age.

Henry Eliot's avatar

Thanks both! Much appreciated. I'm looking forward to the journey!

Linda Quayle's avatar

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 😁

Susan D's avatar

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.

Henry Eliot's avatar

Yes that’s right! Anna Karenina was his first work that he described as a novel. I look forward to discussing why!

Cheryl's avatar

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.

Henry Eliot's avatar

Great to have you with us Cheryl!

Shanti's avatar

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.

John Leman Riley's avatar

I’m preparing by reading Nabokov’s lecture.

Henry Eliot's avatar

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/

Paula Duvall's avatar

I read Ak before. When finished, I wondered why the book wasn’t titles “Levin.”

Barbara Quinlan's avatar

Tolstoy at 20 was the photo that captured me.

Henry Eliot's avatar

I agree - such aristocratic arrogance in that expression . . .

Caro B's avatar

Thanks for the bio, Henry! Looking forward to this.

Emma's avatar

Hey, the Anna k links to the thin man post. Looking forward to reading along 👍🏻

Henry Eliot's avatar

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

Great Reads & Tea Leaves's avatar

Thanks Emma and Henry

Lachi jackmup's avatar

I enjoyed how this gives a clear picture of Tolstoy’s life beyond just his famous novels. His shift from a difficult early life to becoming deeply interested in education, religion, and philosophy makes his story especially interesting. 🌐OnlineGenericMedicine. com