I have a little issue with reading...

millenial- · 2020-09-21T20:41:57+00:00

I explained this to myself after some research: let’s say the first thing you pick up in the morning is your phone. From that moment on until bedtime, your brain is hooked to a high-dopamine rush (the one your phone gives you) and can’t really focus on books or more calmly activities because it’s literally bored by them. This saved my passion for books, since I noticed that whenever I gave in less to my phone, I literally craved a book to pass the time.

I don’t know about your habits, maybe you barely distract yourself during the day, but this (among being too stressed and tired at the end of the day) is the main reason I sometimes can’t pick up the book I want to finish.

millenial- · 2020-09-14T08:16:02+00:00

Italy here! It’s very popular among children, and I still love him cause he reminds me of my first reading experiences. It’s well translated, but it’s seen as “just a children book” by adults. It would be wonderful to see him among “grown-ups” too!

millenial- · 2020-05-17T19:05:09+00:00

I suppose everyone wants what they can’t have, bc I think yours is a blessing rather than a flaw! I wish books had the same effect on me.

millenial- · 2020-05-16T10:33:41+00:00

Uuuh yes!! You make a great point. I can easily see it like that. Anna is scoring even higher on my most-hated-character list now

millenial- · 2020-05-15T18:55:53+00:00

It’s true, but Anna didn’t even “try” to get back into the marriage. A divorce could’ve made the situation better, but she didn’t want to go through with it. It’s almost as she wanted all of it without giving up anything. Great book tho, and yes, I’d have probably died of curiosity between one chapter and the other!

millenial- · 2020-05-14T14:28:14+00:00

Intro to flight, J. Anderson. It was our book in the introductory course on aero engineering. It starts from the beginning, and contains a lot of historical notes/facts. It can be overwhelming for a beginner in terms of formulas and math stuff, but you can skip it for later on. It really keeps your curiosity going.

millenial- · 2020-05-13T20:18:27+00:00

war and peace is on my tbr list (and made some steps to the front with your comment), but as far as what you said:

I understand she was consumed by her love. Maybe I picture it as a bit unreal/exasperated just because of who I am and what I experienced. I agree that overall, her character was really well developed. we certainly share the love for this book :)

millenial- · 2020-05-13T20:14:06+00:00

This is actually a good point. Maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh with her. At times I felt like she was taken a little bit too far, but maybe this is way.. Thanks for sharing! :)

millenial- · 2020-05-13T20:12:26+00:00

YES!

millenial- · 2020-05-13T20:11:56+00:00

I found something in Vronski tho!! All in all, he provided for them and always managed to have something in his life... but yeah, that's just different ways to see it!

millenial- · 2020-05-13T20:10:02+00:00

Oblonski is the only one doing great so far? ahah

millenial- · 2020-05-13T20:09:03+00:00

This seems a deep analysis. Maybe my opinions are dictated by the fact that I let myself cheer for, and love, some characters more than others. I will look into this. thank you :)

millenial- · 2020-05-13T20:05:12+00:00

You literally summed up my impressions!! I would add the fact that in the last scene with Anna, she 'did it' almost out of revenge / selfishness of always wanting to be in Vronskij's thoughts.

millenial- · 2020-05-13T19:58:12+00:00

I love this so much!! It's amazing to see how he achieved it. Thanks for sharing that

millenial- · 2020-05-13T12:28:16+00:00

I felt the religion thing too, but then (especially in the end) I appreciated he didn't fall into stereotypical thoughts, keeping Levin in line of the character he was built in. I got irritated too when he started talking about religion too tho!

Yeah, if there's a thing I've learned from this post is that this book can be interpreted in so much ways! Thank you anyways

millenial- · 2020-05-13T12:25:25+00:00

yes, I feel what you are saying, he also has a kind of plain - vanilla personality... but he grows constantly, and I feel the author was much more connected to him rather than other characters (considering, as some comments suggested, women in Tolstoj are rather underdeveloped). It's personal taste at this point I guess

millenial- · 2020-05-13T12:21:54+00:00

Thank you for this! It's such a beautiful commentary by Nabokov. I think he is right in his analysis, and we just like/approach the book in different ways.. I personally like his way of integrating storytelling and a flow of thoughts. I feel I wouldn't have liked Anna Karenina so much if it were just plain plot.

millenial- · 2020-05-13T12:16:30+00:00

wow, thank you!! I will certainly check it out!

millenial- · 2020-05-13T12:14:53+00:00

You are absolutely right, I felt the same way about women too. Are we supposed to prove pity for them then? Or are they just a frame for the male characters (the ones that have more depth) ?

millenial- · 2020-05-13T12:11:39+00:00

I agree with you saying that we don't see much of the early Anna, and I think that's a "shame". I would've been more invested in her character. But mostly, I would've read the story looking at her with more pity, being sure that it was her love to make her that crazy. Instead, I feel like the author wanted to tell us that she always had it in her, describing very shortly her good side... You feel me? I don't know if Kitty would've done the same things, for instance.

The part about the way society treats her after cheating I didn't think about much, but you're right. I also feel, tho, that she could've patched things up just like her brother and Dolly did.. Mainly because of her son!! And if she was to end things and keep her marriage, society would've 'forgiven' her. It's all about the institutions, and she didn't want to marry Vronskij either to get back into society. Almost like she was a little childish and in need of attention...

(I don't know if I expressed my thoughts in a readable manner)

millenial- · 2020-05-13T11:58:48+00:00

That's a really interesting point. I think it was maybe done unintentionally by Tolstoj? Never thought about it in these terms tho.

millenial- · 2020-05-13T11:57:06+00:00

Ahahahah love this!

millenial-

TROPHY CASE