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My Soviet-Era Copy of Anna Karenina (Share Your Copy) (Patreon)

Published:
2021-02-12 09:32:16
Imported:
2026-06
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This will be fun. 

Let's share our copies of Anna Karenina.

My Soviet-Era copy recently arrived from the Ukraine, and I'll be using it to learn Russian.

I also have several Pevear and Volokhonsky Penguin editions, which are tattered (*loved*), the Maude translation in Everyman hardback (deep Burgundy cover), and a ornamental show copy in the Constance Garnett translation. 

Snap a picture of your Anna Karenina, and share it with me and the group :)

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My Soviet-Era Copy of Anna Karenina

Comments

Priscilla Basilio

My copy is the Penguin clothbound edition! It IS translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky so that was a nice surprise when I saw that!

Benay

I am working with Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition translated by P&V. It is a delight to read this version and therefore I am not able to get myself to write on the book… the best i can do is to use colorful tabs to mark the places that captures my attention.

Cams Campbell

I read this at uni in 1994 and had to write an essay on it, titled "Don't steal rolls " (Levin to Oblonsky). Is this the real message of Anna Karenina?" I got a rubbish mark and didn't particularly enjoy the novel. I was only 21, so I guess I just wasn't ready for 19th-century literature. I read it in translation (Constance Garnett), which is a shame because I was studying Russian. I tried reading it again a few years ago and quit, and I now wonder if it had something to do with the translation. I have a lovely old copy from 1911, the one I bought from the used bookshop in St Andrews when I was at uni, and I have a thing for old books that makes me feel like that's the copy I want to reread. But I also have a two-volume set in Russian from 1947, and having just watched your intro video, it feels like it would be a travesty if I were not at least to read the original with the translation beside it. I eventually became fluent in Russian, but I haven't used it since 2007 and it's very rusty. But, as a deep read of a classic, I'm sure it would be a very rewarding task, even though it might take a year or more. I would also like to do the same with Crime and Punishment and The Master and Margarita, both of which I have in Russian. BTW, in my final year at St Andrews, I read War and Peace in Russian with the translation beside me, because I was writing my dissertation on the 1968 movie version by Sergei Bondarchuk. From what I recall, Tolstoy was easier to read than Dostoyevsky. I find the reverse to be true in translation.

Cooper Larson

Starting my HLBC journey with the Maude Oxford World Classics edition. Watched your YouTube video for the Anna translation taste test and ended up appreciating the Maude passage the best. Funny that my gut reaction was disappointment that I didn’t rank the P&V translation higher 😅 I ordered the P&V ‘What is Art’ as a consolation. Excited to start!

NicoleA

I love the idea of reading AK in Russian. I feel though that even if I learnt Russian I would still be translating it back into English in my mind.

Jennifer

Those coloured illustrations are just gorgeous!!

Lily

That’s such a coincidence as this is the same edition of the Russian language book as I am looking at purchasing. I am struggling to decide whether to buy this more interesting copy or the modern inexpensive Russian paperback for ease of use and portability. I wish for both but simply cannot afford to purchase every book I desire.

Lily

Lily
>>176401873

I decided to buy the $12 Russian paperback and reward myself whenever I can manage to finish it with a beautiful vintage hardback as well as a English translation in hardback as well.

Kristine

I was able to find a copy of a Soviet Union–printed book from 1967, published by Truth, with illustrations identical to those in your book. I also read it in Russian. I do marginalia—it hurt my heart a bit at first, but then I decided, “No, no, this is me conversing with Leo.”

A.J. Santini

I grabbed the Pevear and Volokhonsky Penguin classics hardback. I know you said write in the margins etc., but I love having a bookshelf of hardbacks with no markings, so I will just read it and mark anything I feel strongly about in a separate journal. Just ordered a copy of What Is Art? as well. Excited to jump into the book club, albeit a few years late, but definitely have been wanting to tackle some hardcore literature with great commentary and this Patreon has been a delight so far in the lecture or two I’ve watched.

Jetzabel Peniche

I am reading the one that you recommended from Pevear and Volokhonsky.

Jetzabel Peniche

I am having difficulty in uploading a picture of my book

hardcoreliterature
>>53515791

Ah, yes! As I'm quite new to the Patreon format myself, I didn't realise that this may not be a feature.. Perhaps I can set up a forum/area where uploadables are easier for people :)

Jetzabel Peniche

What ever is easy for you :) . I am starting to read it!

Charlie Finn

My copy of the Pevear and Volokhonsky Penguin edition arrived yesterday...it's fresh, crisp and about to get scribbled over :)

Fiona Wang

Just ordered the Pevear and Volokhonsky Penguin edition! Can't wait to get started. It won't get here until a week later though, so I might start with Tolstoy's "What is Art?" and Plato's "The Symposium," which are both arriving tomorrow. Looking forward to your lecture series!

hardcoreliterature

That's amazing, Fiona! I look forward to any thoughts you might have about Tolstoy's artistic theories or Plato :)

Aneesh Mulye

I have the Penguin Classica Deluxe paperback by P&V (which is, for some unfathomable reason, *cheaper* than the regular and less nice Penguin Classics - wonder what's up with that). Do you have any opinions on the Oxford World's Classics translation, by Bartlett? It *looks* gorgeous, and I wonder if reading two translations (one primary, a second to maybe 'even out' any translators' quirks as well as shine light into some nooks and crannies of nuance not illuminated by the first?) may enrich the experience (assuming both translations are at of roughly equal competence and quality, of course)?

hardcoreliterature
>>53948707

I actually have that translation myself. And you are right - the Bartlett version is gorgeous! The black hardback, right? I actually do have quite a few opinions on the Bartlett translation compared to some of the others, so I'm going to do a video answering that question this weekend and we'll compare the different versions :) They all have their amusing little quirks, that's for sure! Reading two translations is definitely a fun experience, so I say go for it, Aneesh! Also - if you do enjoy Bartlett's version, she has a biography of Tolstoy that is really rather good :)

Arthur

The only copy I could order in here with a reasonable delivery time is from Alma Classics with translation from Kyril Zinovieff and Jenny Hughes. Please be honest if this translation is any good, because if not I will try to order the P&V one anyway. Besides what's in it, I have a few Russian Alma Classics with the same layout in my bookshelf, so it looks great. :)

hardcoreliterature
>>54043812

That's a fine choice, Arthur! I just ranked and compared four different translations, but unfortunately left Zinovieff and Hughes out - it's a good one though, and as long as you're enjoying it, you'll still get great fulfilment from the story and characters! :)

Asa Hallows

Hello all. I’m a bit late to the party but I have the Vintage Classics Russians copy translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude. I’d already bought it in the middle of last year before I’d seen the recommendation of the P&V edition. I know we’re not supposed to judge books by the cover but I just loved the design- it is based on traditional Russian textiles. It is also a lot wider than traditional books and so the pages feel more spacious which is ideal for marginalia!

hardcoreliterature
>>54527759

Not late at all, Asa! And we're super happy to have you :) The Vintage Classics has a gorgeous cover. And you are absolutely right - perfect for marginalia! That's key!! Also - some people legitimately prefer the Maude translation, and I do find it rather beautiful myself. It's the same story and characters, and at the end of the day comes down to personal taste. Luckily there isn't as huge a variation in translations of Anna Karenina as some other books... Don Quixote, for example... It really matters what translation you choose!

Ena Rusnjak Markovic

Hello, I’m late to this, too! I’m actually working from the P&V translation on my kindle. It was the quickest way to get started. But I’ll be ordering a paperback, too. Ben, could you post a video on how you might go about teaching yourself Russian from reading Anna Karenina? I’m also keen to learn it. Thank you!

hardcoreliterature
>>54868872

You're right on time, Ena! What a great idea for a video :) Although I have yet to teach myself Russian from reading literature, I'm quite confident in my approach because that's how I learnt Japanese. I'll address this question in the AMA/Q&A show this weekend, and we'll do a dedicated video on it soon too :)

Sharon xx

I am using the Oxford World's Classics translation by Rosamund Bartlett, paperback edition. I love OWCs and have far too many of them; a symptom of many delicious hours spent in Blackwells, Oxford. I also own the Russian Vintage Classics translation by Maud and I've got the Penguin P&V version on my Kindle. All bases covered methinks - one to write in [OWC], one to stroke and admire [Russian Vintage] and one to take everywhere [Kindle] = perfect! The differences between them are so interesting and have already provoked many questions about meaning, wildly differing choices of adjectives etc. I will save that for further up the page.

hardcoreliterature
>>55006013

Great choices! All bases covered :) I've got the blue hardback by Bartlett on my shelf right now. She did a GREAT job with this translation. I feel like Bartlett's translation gets closest to the effect of what Anna Karenina would be like if it were originally written in English!

Sybil LeBer

I'm just starting Anna Karenina now (Pevear and Volokhonsky) and will work steadily through. I'm a super slow reader but I love to read. I read Anna Karenina about 15 years ago and didn't retain much more than the general storyline. I do remember that I enjoyed it and look forward to getting so much more out of it this time. Thanks for putting this study together.

hardcoreliterature
>>56367012

Amazing stuff! Welcome to the Book Club, Sybil :) It's so great to have you here! I know a slow reread will be so rewarding. It will be interesting to see how your reaction is different after 15 years!

Laura Hewitson

I'm working from the P&V Penguin edition. I've previously read their translation of Doctor Zhivago, which was beautiful (would love you to do a series on it!), so I'm looking forward to their Anna.

Jessica Fanwong

I’m reading from Vintage Classics edition by Louise and Aylmer Maude at the moment but I’m hoping to get a few more different versions of translations so I can compare them - maybe even read them side by side!

Deanna J

I bought the Oprah version a long time ago. Luckily, it's the right translation. I'm looking forward to reading it!

Cai Vail

I am brand new to the group so I’ve got quite a bit of catch up to do, but am so glad to have found this book club. I’m reading the Vintage Classics Russian Series edition, which is translated by Maude, but I’m also following along with the audible book narrated by Miranda Pleasance, which uses the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation. I admittedly sprang for the Vintage Russian series out of a weakness for excellent cover design, but it’s also been interesting to compare the translations when I inevitably overlap sections here and there.

Theresa Garton

I am new to the patreon group. I have a copy of Anna Karenina that I read years ago. It is a "Barnes and Noble Classics Series" copy. Unfortunately, due to some sleuthing, I have discovered it was translanted by Constance Garnett. DARN!! Guess I'll have to get a new copy. ;)

Kelly Zydel

I'm also new to the group. My copy is digital. Now in my mid-40s, the text size of books is just too small. I can see and read it, but it strains my eyes. On Kindle I can change the size to whatever I want. I always miss the feeling of a book in my hands when I read.

Diana Grosser

Hi Ben, I'm new here and at the moment just building up some "Vorfreude" for my revisiting of Anna. I love hearing you talk about different aspects of literature and can't wait to properly dig into all the material waiting for me. Thanks!