Anna Karenina Audiobook By Leo Tolstoy cover art

Anna Karenina

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Anna Karenina

By: Leo Tolstoy
Narrated by: Maggie Gyllenhaal
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About this listen

Winner: Audible's Best of 2016 - Classic

"Anna Karenina is one of my favorite books. But when I agreed to read it for Audible, I had no idea how much work it would be, how intense it would be, and how deeply I would fall in love with it. There were places where I thought 'if I don't give Alexey Alexandrovitch the respect that he deserves in my reading of this scene, a critical part of the book will be ruined. If I don't give EVERYONE the utmost respect and understanding, I'm not doing justice to this brilliantly compassionate book.' But at the same time, I also wanted to have a light touch in the way I played the different characters, so that the magnificence of the novel could shine through. I feel like performing this novel is one of the major accomplishments of my work life - it was so challenging and so deep, a real pleasure." (Narrator Maggie Gyllenhaal)

Leo Tolstoy's classic story of doomed love is one of the most admired novels in world literature. Generations of readers have been enthralled by his magnificent heroine, the unhappily married Anna Karenina, and her tragic affair with dashing Count Vronsky. Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, The Honourable Woman) cites Tolstoy's epic as one of her favorite books of all time, and her love for the literature permeates her performance. Anna Karenina is a masterpiece not only because of the unforgettable woman at its core and the stark drama of her fate but also because it explores and illuminates the deepest questions about how to live a fulfilled life.

Public Domain (P)2016 Audible, Inc.
Fiction Classics Romance Funny Witty Feel-Good Heartfelt
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Go Behind the Scenes with Maggie Gyllenhaal

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Editorial review


By Madeline Anthony, Audible Editor

LESSONS IN LOVE FROM TOLSTOY—READING ANNA KARENINA IN MODERN DAY

One of Tolstoy’s most celebrated novels, Anna Karenina has less to do with politics and more to do with the love life of one woman. Or at least, that’s what the title will have you believe. To really get into it, a reader has to accept the enormous undertaking of either the 864-page print edition, or the 35-hour-and-35-minute-long audio version. It was when I learned that one of my favorite actresses, Maggie Gyllenhaal, was cast as narrator of the great classic that I finally thought, "challenge accepted." I knew it was time, at last, to check this masterwork off my "to be listened" list, and that if anyone could get me through this epic, it was Maggie.

What I love most about this novel is its ability to hold a mirror up to life itself. Tolstoy does not tell us what to think, does not even nudge us in either direction. He simply says—look, see, and do not judge. This is the stuff of life itself. Through the trials and tribulations of Anna, Tolstoy details his thoughts on romantic love—jealousy can ruin what is, when left alone, precious and beautiful; everyone is flawed; and love itself is not the answer to all of life's many problems.

While Anna’s character is, of course, central to the story, Anna Karenina is not only about her love affairs and the people who course through her life. It is a time capsule of 1870’s Russia and a meditation on faith told through the lens of a farmer, Levin, who questions whether or not he believes throughout the entirety of the novel.

By the end of the marathon that is this classic piece of literature, the listener starts to understand the deep truth that eludes Anna Karenina line after line—a change in geography or lovers is not the key to happiness. In both Tolstoy's fiction and the real world, there is no "happily ever after" unless you have found it within yourself.

Continue reading Madeline's review >

Featured Article: The top 100 classics of all time


Before we whipped out our old high school syllabi and dug deep into our libraries to start selecting contenders for this list, we first had to answer the question, "How do we define a classic?" The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might guess, though there’s a lot to be said for the old adage, "You know it when you see it" (or, in this case, hear it). Of course, most critically, each of our picks had to be fabulous in audio. So dust off your aspirational listening list—we have some amazing additions you don’t want to miss.

What listeners say about Anna Karenina

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Simply divine

The best narration I've heard. Masterful capturing of the essence of each character. Bravo, bravo.

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A brilliant, sweeping review of aristocratic Russian life.

Tolstoy has strong opinions. His opinions about his main characters are clear. Sometimes I'm not sure he is correct. But someone who expresses himself so beautifully cannot be too off base. His observations on Russian life felt just as relevant in 21st century America. His passages on philosophy, physical exercise, nature, meaning, suicide, birth, death, family relations, so much of it will haunt me for years to come.

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You get a lot for the price

If you're looking for a long read to get the most bang for your buck, this is a good choice. Be warned this book is long and rather tedious.

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Maggie Gyllenhaal Is Wonderful

Listening to her perform this masterpiece was very enjoyable! Loved her voice, how she told the story.... she made the story come alive!!

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Need a more sophisticated, cultivated reader

Read in an almost confessional tone for no reason, and peppered with excruciating pronunciation mistakes even in English.

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Not the right narrator

Maggie Gyllenhaal is a great actress but not the best narrator. Sometimes she rushes through paragraphs, and it’s hard to tell when she changes from one character to the other. I imagined someone like Edoardo Bellarini narrating this masterpiece. I love this book but there is much to be desired with the narration.

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Unbelievably beautiful performance of a master work of literature and philosophy

Tolstoy stands at the top of literature and this performance does justice to this profoundly meaningful work. Bravo! Highly recommended .

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Excellent character writing

Tolstoy has a way of giving what is in my opinion exceedingly dull subject matter a great deal of color with his extraordinary prose. This was my first exposure to his work and I'll definitely be reading more. Most impressive is the depth that he gives to each one of his characters individually, weaving something I can relate to into every one of these characters who, by the end of this long story I feel like I know personally

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Surprisingly relevant

Classics are such for a reason. Although fairly philosophical and tangential, the story is compelling and vivid. Gyllenhaal's voice adds a great deal to the listening experience.

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Extraordinarily Delicious

Maggie Gyllenhaal brought each character to life and clarity to the words. Had I dared to read to this Novel, I'd would be absolutely lost.

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