I subscribed to Athenaeum book club partly because I wished to read the great Russian novels but didn’t want to do it alone. So now we’re reading a second one right after I spent weeks re-reading the first one because of the world-expanding insights revealed in the club commentary. I guess I should have been more careful about what I wished for. On the other hand, it’s a different author and it explores subjects I have pondered for most of my life. And after reading this introductory essay, my anticipation now far outweighs the anxiety. Thank you.
Haha yes, we’ve been going fairly intensely through the Russians this year! It’s certainly a long journey to do so, but in my experience, is very much worth the time and investment. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy can become lifelong friends who reshape our entire appreciation and understanding of life if we let them :)
While Russian literature often has dark undertones, I have to agree that Levin is one of the rare bright spots of a character who feels like a breath of fresh air. His character arc is remarkably fascinating
Just a note regarding the first painting you selected for this post. As I recall the painting is by John Singer Sargent of a rather destitute young woman. I have seen this portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC as part of the Gilded Age exhibition about 8 years ago. It definitely is one of my all time favorites.
I subscribed to Athenaeum book club partly because I wished to read the great Russian novels but didn’t want to do it alone. So now we’re reading a second one right after I spent weeks re-reading the first one because of the world-expanding insights revealed in the club commentary. I guess I should have been more careful about what I wished for. On the other hand, it’s a different author and it explores subjects I have pondered for most of my life. And after reading this introductory essay, my anticipation now far outweighs the anxiety. Thank you.
Haha yes, we’ve been going fairly intensely through the Russians this year! It’s certainly a long journey to do so, but in my experience, is very much worth the time and investment. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy can become lifelong friends who reshape our entire appreciation and understanding of life if we let them :)
I absolutely agree. This is exactly what I signed up for; it feeds my soul.
I read Anna Karenina for the first time earlier this year and absolutely adored it. Totally fell in love with Levin!
While Russian literature often has dark undertones, I have to agree that Levin is one of the rare bright spots of a character who feels like a breath of fresh air. His character arc is remarkably fascinating
Honestly, I found the entire book to be a breath of fresh air, compared to Dostoevsky 😉
Just a note regarding the first painting you selected for this post. As I recall the painting is by John Singer Sargent of a rather destitute young woman. I have seen this portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC as part of the Gilded Age exhibition about 8 years ago. It definitely is one of my all time favorites.