Classics > Leo Tolstoy Classics

Advantages: Absolute all time classic, rewarding and worthwhile read.
Disadvantages: The sheer length of it and commitment, hard to carry on train !

This is an epic book (or rather masterpiece) and it has been an epic struggle for me to finish, but very worthwhile. I have to admit it took me an entire year to get through, partly as it was physically too large to take on the train which is when I do most of my reading. Very basically, the book is set around the Napoleonic wars, and in particular, the events that led up to Napoleon's invasion of Russia. It is written from a Russian perspective ...
...during that invasion through a hoast of characters / participants. It shows you their different perspectives and how they make sense of their experiences in a very human way, and their micro concerns and personal struggles. Tolstoy also uses the book and the stories to illustrate his own ideas about the driving forces of history, how he believes it is not determined by the leaders / rulers of society, but more by the masses. He keeps coming back ... Read review

Advantages: A masterpiece
Disadvantages: A very long masterpiece

Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina is an incredibly popular story. Well known and loved by many it has survived the passage of time and is as beguiling and popular now as it has ever been. I say story rather than novel as this has been the subject of many film and TV adaptations, from Greta Garbo in 1935 to Sophie Marceau in 1997 the IMDb website lists no less than 24 different adaptations, from all over the world. How popular the novel itself is is questionable, ...
...compelling. While Anna has become one of the most famous literary heroines, for much of this book her story is in the shadow of Levin's. In terms of pages and attention we spend far more time with Levin and because he is such an internal character and on such a journey of personal growth we are more emotionally invested in him rather than Anna. Through Levin Tolstoy tackles many of the key social issues facing imperial nineteenth century Russia. ... Read review

Advantages: Inspiring
Disadvantages: none that i can think of

I wish i had been the first but I can't believe that there's only one person ahead of me! I have heard that this book has inspired politicians and activists for generations. I can only suggest that some need to read it again! I won't rewrite the last excellent review..the book is inspiring, shocking and beautiful. There are parts, the tenderness of which will bring tears to your eyes. ..where Owens son falls asleep wrapped round his dad or where ...
...laugh out loud..the names of the characters and firms.. the Brigands conspiring to defraud the council; there are descriptions of poverty and hardship that will stir the revolutionary in you. The baddies are bad and have no redeeming features, the goodies are flawed. Although there are political lectures throughout - they educate and agitate without being preachy and precious. My favourite parts are the internal dialogues and turmoil of Owen and ... Read review

Advantages: there is non
Disadvantages: the worst book in the world!

...in that film they go around the world in a hot air balloon. But because this book was made ages ago they travel by steamer (Boat) and train. In my opinion that makes it pretty boring. In the book they have a detective after them who imprison them in Liverpool, but in the film there is no detective... And also in the film they just pick up the woman, when in the book they rescue her! I hope I have interested you boringly, so that you people won't ... Read review

Advantages: First of its kind..
Disadvantages: Was written well over 200 years ago..

The Castle of Otranto is touted as being the first gothic novel written in English. It was first released in 1764. The novel was originally sent out as a gift and claimed to be a translation of an Italian novel. Apparently this was a common tactic at the time so that if your novel was detested you could claim no fault. The use of gothic style when writing is considered as an authors attack on all that is the culture of the 18th century. The use of ...
...a revolt against society. The lack of realism in gothic stories goes against nature and the use of the uncanny and focusing on ones emotions, rather than reason - revolts against reason. A style that many detest, such as William Wordsworth who spoke against the fantastic writings and firmly stuck to writing things (somewhat like as Mark Darcy says to Bridget Jones) "just as they are". The pen of course being mightier than the sword, must have had ... Read review