Anna Karenina Leatherbound Classics Edition

This leather-bound edition of Anna Karenina is exactly what this novel deserves. The craftsmanship is exceptional, genuine leather binding, gilt-edged pages, and a ribbon bookmark. It feels substantial in your hands and looks stunning on any bookshelf. But let's talk about the novel itself, because Tolstoy's masterwork is worth every minute of the commitment. Yes, it's long, but I was completely absorbed from beginning to end. The parallel stories of Anna's tragic affair and Levin's search for meaning create this incredible tapestry of 19th-century Russian society. What struck me most was how modern it feels. The characters are so psychologically complex and real - their doubts, their mistakes, their moments of joy and despair. Anna herself is neither villain nor victim but a fully realized person making difficult choices in an unforgiving world. The translation in this edition is excellent - readable and literary without feeling archaic. The paper quality is good, and the typesetting is clean and easy on the eyes despite the book's length. This is an investment piece that you'll treasure for years. Whether you're reading it for the first time or the fifth, this edition makes the experience feel special. Absolutely worth it.

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE LEATHERBOUND CLASSICS EDITION OF ANNA KARENINA. ANNA KARENINA is the story of how two parallel tales play out in late Czarist Russia. The most famous part is the tragic, Illicit romance of the title character, Anna Karenina with the young, rich, handsome Count Vronsky. The "other" part (which is often neglected, but just as important) is the inner life and trials of the nobleman farmer, Konstantin Levin as he works out the mysteries of life and comes to understand who he is and what he believes. In my personal opinion, Konstantin is actually the main character of this book, even though it is Anna who is the primary focus of attention to most readers. Pay attention to Konstantin, because this is the person who represents Tolstoy himself and is the actual voice of the author. As one of the most famous novels ever written, it has been made and re-made into movies, plays and ballets. But none of the representations of this book do it justice and I highly advise anyone who wants to know this story to simply READ THE BOOK before watching any of the performances based on ANNA KARENINA. I am the type of reader who devours a book in one or two sittings. I even read DAVID COPPERFIELD in a marathon in which I could neither eat or sleep until I had finished! Not so with ANNA KARENINA. It is long, complex and very slow reading, but I was surprised how well written and easy to grasp the story was as it played out in a much longer effort than I am ordinarily used to. But it kept my attention and kept my mind active with the moral dilemmas which begged the reader to join Tolstoy in sorting out the issues of "good vs evil". Read it with an open mind and be careful not choose any particular character as the "villain" before you finish the book and think long and hard about what you just read. I highly recommend it for people who love a good "yarn", who don't mind a long, slow, but engaging story, and who enjoy the process of exploring the mysteries of life. I am not the most patient reader, but I found this to be so well written that I savored it - even enjoying a section that contained a long description of peasants mowing a field - that went on for pages and pages and pages! My only other comment regards the specific edition of this book that I purchased. I wanted something that would last and last through multiple readings without falling apart, and I wanted it to be beautiful so that I could enjoy it even when it is closed and on my bookshelf. This high quality book is a treasure! It has all the things I look for in a good book. *First, it is a true "hardbound" book and not just a jumble of pages glued into a hard cover. The high quality paper pages are stitched into the binding and hinge in the traditional way. The spine is flexible and sturdy so that the book can be opened with ease with no threat to the soundness and long term readability of the binding. When you open it, you will not hear the cracking of too much glue which is a warning sign that the pages might come out later. The only breaking in I had to do was during the initial first reading when I had to turn each page carefully because the gold on the page end were sticking together. Once accomplished, this book was a joy to handle with pages that turn easily and a book that opened where I wanted it to open and STAYED open with no resistance. *Next, the paper used is good quality and the print is clear and large enough to "really" read. This is not one of those books that is beautiful on the outside, but made with the kind of shoddy craftsmanship that says the book is intended to look good on a shelf but that it will never be read. It is easy to see the print and easy to read. *Then, there are beautiful, marbled end pages that set the inner leaves off much as a frame sets off a picture. *Last, this book is really, really beautiful! The white leather, gilt pages and lovely artwork on the cover make this book stand out on the shelf and contribute to a classy atmosphere in my reading room. So, my opinion of the content of this book is that it is a first rate piece of writing that lives up to the reputation of being one of the "great stories", while being down-to-earth enough to be accessible and enjoyable to the average reader. And my opinion of this edition is that the quality of the book and binding are worthy of a first rate book! Excellent choice for those who want their books to be beautiful and ALSO want to really read the contents.

used this as a prop for a production of Anna in the Tropics. The book is so beautiful, it became a character within the play all on its own

This edition is absolutely beautiful inside and out! I love how the cover shimmers in the light.It was sealed for protection so that was nice. I will say though, the cover has some gunk on the binding and tears...which leads me to believe this isn't actually new, but then again, who knows, anything can happen. I've been wanting to read this story after seeing the movie in theaters a long time ago. Heard many good things about this writer so I'm sure I will love it.

Perfect conditions.

Beautiful, leather book edged with gold. Big bonus, the print is extremely easy to read in this 800 page book. So glad I decided to purchase. Will keep beside my two volume edition of War and Peace which I've owned for decades.

Uno dei libri più belli che ho!

Heel mooie editie. Goede kaft, fijne bladzijden.

todo es de calidad y el contenido de la obra solo he leído la mitad y esta muy interegrante. la recomiendo

the book cover and gilded edges are dazzling. The pages are of good quality and the font size is as it should be. I think it deserves the money you pay.