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: interesting use of form and narrative; brilliant character detail and pace.
Disadvantages: Long....

Clarissa 'The longest novel in the european language'. A statement that is about as qualiatative as 'Britain's loudest band'. This is how most people will know of Clarissa. Which is a shame for two reasons: the length of the damn thing is what perhaps justifiably puts people off reading it; moreover, the novel truly deserves to be considered one of the finest in the English language, regardless of its length. I won't distil the plot as the other ...
...that. Also I want to focus instead on the intricacies of the novel and why Dr Samuel Johnson considered it to be 'the first book in the world for the knowledge it displays of the human heart'. One thisn that is important to remember when reading Clarissa is that, like most novels of its time, it was written in serial form. The detail and pace of character development and events in the novel are therefore perhaps more akin to that of a season of ... Read review

Advantages: Great characters, excellent narration which is thought-provoking yet humorous
Disadvantages: None really. Unless you severely dislike 19th century novels.

...are at its best. Vanity Fair is subtitled 'A Novel without a Hero', which is reflected in the balanced and honest narration and further in the establishment of characters who are soon seen to all contain significant flaws, as is natural for human beings (a point made by the narrator). The characters of this novel are of great depth and complexity, and of a wide range of diversity; perhaps the best feature of this book. The good and bad aspects of ...
...somewhat close-knit social scene of Vanity Fair. The novel begins with Amelia Sedley and Rebecca Sharp completing their studies at an academy for young ladies. It is soon made clear of the differing backgrounds of these two principal characters, and their respective experiences at the prestigious academy. This is the first of many contrasts of these two characters. The highly intelligent Miss Sharp who wishes to gain a lofty position in society ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent story, and not sappy
Disadvantages: None

...With around 1,000 pages, Gone With the Wind is a far more multi-layered read than I'm able to portray it. It's action-packed, with a lot of non-romantic stuff going on amidst Scarlett's pining for Ashley and careless use of men for her own gain etc. The key characters are all very different people, allowing for different perspectives on events…but generally only through dialogue, as Scarlett is our protagonist [however, the book isn't written in ...
...their feelings benefit her in some way. Basically, give it a chance and I think you'll be surprised by how good it is. You learn a lot about the culture and social structure of this historical period; you get sucked into the story - whether you like Scarlett or not you'll find yourself on her side because so many of the expected niceties that she tries to discard are nonsensical and unfair. I guess there's a strong feminist aspect to this novel, ... Read review