Anna Karenina principle Puns

I've been a home cook / amateur baker since college but only recently taken to bread making. As a professional engineer, there's a lot to appreciate in cooking including the science that triggers my brain. I've found success and joy in sous vide (salmon with crispy fried skin is a favorite), grilling, cheesecake "annealing", maillard reactions, foams, gels, and other modernist techniques, pastries, and many traditional cooking techniques.

So in April, I bought a 50# bag of flour and the Modernist Bread collection and set to work. After some very early success -- my first loaves were amazing crust, crumb, flavor, etc. -- I continued my changing little things here and there.

I've since come to believe that, moreso than any other area of food prep I've attempted, baking bread is subject to the Anna Karenina Principle. In short, a lot of things need to come together to make a great loaf:

• Well managed levain, ready to go (I refer to mine as "The Minions")
• Good mix to hydrate the flour and start gluten development
• Strong gluten development in bulk fermentation
• Shaping techniques that build structure
• Proofing to develop flavors
• Scoring to balance steam / pressure release
• Loading the oven delicately
• Oven configuration for spring, steam, and maillard

I've tried shortcuts in many of these resulting in noticeable defects in the result. While it seems profoundly difficult to produce a loaf of bread that doesn't taste amazing, these all have to be on-game to create something really outstanding in all regards.

To kudos to all of you that create great work here. Bread making (IMHO) is unique among food preparation. It's a long process and defects, not always evident along the way, become magnified in the last 30 minutes or so under the lens of the final bake.

It sure is fun!

By which I mean it's basically a guess as to what's going to end the conversation and when. A million possible paths to THE END, one possible path to a date.

Never tell me the odds.

No, seriously, do NOT tell me the odds. I'll stick my fingers in my ears and lalalalala.

I started reading it yesterday after reading about it on the sub and it's so good. I already read around 50 pages and some more today. I expect to up the pace sometime soon. This is truly genius. Tolstoy's description of events are so lively and detailed and I feel as if I'm there myself. This is the first book I would say is worth the hype. Thank you all for recommending it.

Greatest book I ever read. Truly. The prose is so beautiful you will shit ur pants. Truly. The commentary on Russian society and philosophy and moral turmoil shapes u into a different person. The prose is insanely good, like he is able to bring up feelings and describe feelings that have been tucked away in my unconsciousness. If ur New Years resolution is to read one book, make that book Anna Karenina. It’s worth the long read. God bless.

I'm about halfway through, and I would just like to say that I'm enjoying it a lot, however, I do hate pretty much every character as funny as that sounds. I'm just wondering if that was intended? I'm assuming that Tolstoy wanted many of the traditions of Russia at the time critiqued, but is there something that I'm missing from the time period that would make some characters more sympathetic?

Just finished part one, and don’t wish to have it spoiled but just need a place to let out what I feel so far. This is truly the greatest novel I have ever read and I’m glad I waited till now that I’m in my later 40s. I feel as though I can appreciate it more. I’m amazed at how Tolstoy is able to describe the slight loss of love that happens after a new infatuation. When Anna returns from Moscow and describes how her husbands ears seem weird and even describes her own child slightly less glowing as before she went to Moscow. As someone whom has lived life and experienced similar things, I read that and realize the human condition is and has been the same throughout history. This is truly the best thing I’ve read in my life so far !

Hello RPW. It’s a New Year. I love resolutions. And we should do a book club.

“Anna Karenina is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published in book form in 1878. Many writers consider it to be one of the greatest works of literature ever written, and Tolstoy himself called it his first true novel.”

I’ve mentioned several times that I love this book!! I’ve thought long and hard about how much work it would be to summarize and discuss this book. It’s approximately 800-900 pages depending on the publisher.

It is narrated by Maggie Gyllanhall as an audiobook that is 35 hours long.

But I’m in a mood right now. So I am going to commit to this.

Anna Karenina is not a guide about how to be a Red Pill Woman. In fact, it’s the opposite. Anna Karenina is a selfish anti-hero. She fails herself at every turn, and destroys her life.

I think a lot of us can relate to not having positive RPW role models. But I find negative role models to be more compelling when I decide, “I don’t want to be like that”

There are male characters in this book who embody different aspects of RP men. Some of them are Red Pill or Blue Pill. Some of them are MGTOW. It’s an interesting perspective to watch these characters both fail and succeed.

There are other female characters who embody RPW. Kitty grows a lot throughout the book. She experiences some forms of being an alpha widow, as well as nun mode.

I’ve always said that the entire book is filled to the brim with Red Pill principles and analogies.

I think reading this book will:

1. Benefit you just by reading classic literature
2. Give you nuanced examples of red pill theory and philosophy. The good and the bad.
3. Give life lessons about the consequences of selfishness
4. Be a more interesting New Years goal as opposed to “lose weight and be better.”

So…I’m wondering if you are interested in reading this book over the next 6 months.

The book is broken up into 8 parts. I think I could do a write-up for each part every few weeks if you want to follow along.

I’d like to tag u/HappilyMrs because you followed along so closely to my other book club.

And u/PearlsandStilettos to see if this can get Stickied for attention.

PS. Don’t watch the movie(s) no one thinks it’s a good interpretation of the book.

Hi!

I was planning to read Anna Karenina but read the title of an artice that referenced this book and the fact that Anna will commit suicide (lying on rail tracks as far as I remember). So my questin is how big af a spoiler is it, or is it even true?

• Both featured a lot of shared scenes and themes related to the aristocratic lifecycle, including a debut ball, post-marital boredom/infidelity threats, country vs city people, children in divorce, affair vs marriage, dream vs family, individual love vs societal support, individual vs society, reckless driving as a connotation for doomed fatal affairs (Vronsky putting down the horse to the Myrtle car crash). I feel the conversation in Gatsby between Nick and Jordan where the latter expresses surprise that Nick is a bad driver was as direct a nod to Karenina as we'd get.
• Both stories feature a flamboyant protagonist whose actions are contextualized by a reflective deuteragonist who is a direct proxy for the book author. Said protagonist's life arc is merely a motivator and counterpoint in the arc of the rest of the narrator's longer life arcs.
• Both stories intersect with historic wars which inform and indirectly motivate affairs in consideration of mortality and forgone opportunities/sacrifices.

I’m currently in the last few years of my PhD studies so the only things I’ve been reading have been research papers and textbooks, but on a whim I decided to pick up Anna Karenina. I’ve heard much about the book and Tolstoy’s work but never read any so I figured this would be a good place to start.

I can completely understand how this ranks as many peoples top book, or at least among them. I think the empathetic perspective of an affair through a woman’s eyes is refreshing even in modern day. Most dramas like this you see on Netflix or TV usually involves multiple perspectives that never center the most vulnerable party (in this case, the woman’s) feelings and thought processes.

Just wanted to share, since I know it’s an important book around these parts. I think I’ll try War and Peace next.

I first read Anna Karenina in high school, and I fell in love with it. It was by chance that I read it. I was studying the highest level of English you can in high schools in my country, and our main goal of the year was to write a dissertation. We were allowed to pick whatever we wanted.

When I first read it, I hated Levin. Got bored of Kitty, and loved Anna.

Anna seemed so glamorous, and while she didn't make great moral choices which lead her to her downfall, there was something about her that I loved. She was flawed. A beautiful woman who everyone wanted to be or wanted to be with, but was so flawed in herself and her choices that she was her downfall.

Levin bored me, his country lifestyle and his views on life just seemed so mundane to a 17/18 year old. And Kitty bored me when she joined in on this lifestyle.

I'm in the process of reading Anna Karenina again. I still love Anna. I still see her as a flawed, but still beautifull character, which may be down to how Tolstoy wrote her.

The biggets difference is, I love Levin. His views now make sense, his lifestyle is more idealistic to me.

I love hearing how others have had a similar experience with Anna Karenina. That they read it when they are younger and like Anna, maybe sympathise with her more. After all, she's just a woman who was trapped by society in a marriage she didn't want to be in, and just wanted her life to be better and be with the man she loved.

But then they read it later in life. Maybe only a few years later (for me 6/7 years later) and prefer Levin. They see Anna as more superficial.

Tolstoy really did something special with this one. It stands the test of time and I'm honestly almost honoured that we are able to read such a masterpiece

Prompts:

1. It seems that Levin has finally found peace with himself. What do you think about his final conclusions?

2. What is your opinion about the chapter and the end of the book?

3. What were your favourite and least favourite aspects of the novel?

4. Which character/s will leave a lasting impression on you?

5. Favourite line / anything else to add?

What the Hemingway chaps had to say:

/r/thehemingwaylist 2020-03-16 discussion

Final line:

> but my life now, my whole life apart from anything that can happen to me, every minute of it is no more meaningless, as it was before, but it has the positive meaning of goodness, which I have the power to put into it.’

We’ve reached the end \o/

I’ve been reading more Russian literature, mostly Dostoyevsky for obvious reasons, and want to get into Tolstoy. I know both are going to be great, but any recommendations on which one to start with?

In chapter 11 of Part 6, I love it when Stepan Arkadyevitch says "No, excuse me, that's a paradox" at Levin when he's trying to be high and mighty about recognizing the inequality between his circumstances as a landowner vs that of the peasants yet refuses to give up his own property to right the wrong. Levin thinks he's justified by "not trying to increase the difference of positions existing between him[the peasants] and me." I find it funny that about a century and a half later the problem's still as relevant as ever, and people are, still for the most part, making the same defenses.

I have read the first page of Anna Karenina in five different translations now (Bartlett, Garnett, Garnett revised, Maude and P&V) and I have realized that the original Garnett translation is the only one that does not read like a translation but rather as a book originally written in English. And I want to read that but I have heard she censors quite a bit of the book and that her translation is sometimes inaccurate to what's actually written. Is there any truth to this? I tried the Bartlett translation which seems to be the most recommended one but I don't like the writing in that one.

I was watching an episode of “Search Party” (from TBS) on HBO last night and in one scene, the main character is reading “Anna Karenina” on the subway. A man next to her spoils the ending of the book and it reminded me of a similar line (that I’m pretty sure came from SBtB) where someone is reading the same book and another character ruins the ending in the same way.

Anyone know what I’m referring to or is this a Mandela Effect?

Prompts:

1. Who do you think is best placed to know the will of the people - the intellectuals, or the workers?

2. What do you think Levin means by ‘they’re wearing impenetrable armour, but I’m naked’?

3. Do you think Levin should try to argue his opinion, or indeed keep silent?

4. Why do you think Sergey Ivanovich is so fired up about this issue?

5. What do you make of the way Levin feels this political issue ties into his inner struggle and resolutions?

6. Saved by the bell - Levin is rescued from an argument he cannot win by the arrival of the storm clouds. What might the storm bring?

7. Favourite line / anything else to add?

What the Hemingway chaps had to say:

/r/thehemingwaylist 2020-03-13 discussion

Final line:

> And Levin ceased speaking and then called the attention of his guests to the fact that the storm clouds were gathering, and that they had better be going home before it rained.

Next post:

Thu, 16 Dec; tomorrow!

Prompts:

1. The beekeeper believes that the Emperor should decide for the people whether or not the country should go to war, whereas the more intellectual Sergey and Katavasov think that the will of the people is the deciding factor. Where do you think Levin sits between these two extremes?

2. Why do you think Tolstoy has added this Serbian war section to the novel? Will it serve to show some character development for Levin?

3. We have seen some different points of view about the motivation of the volunteers. Which of those did resonate with you the most? What is your opinion on that topic?

4. Does the occurrence of bees and wasps in this chapter have an underlying meaning?

5. Favourite line / anything else to add?

What the Hemingway chaps had to say:

/r/thehemingwaylist 2020-03-12 discussion

Final line:

> "...What right have we to say that this is the people’s will?"

Next post:

Wed, 15 Dec; tomorrow!

Trained.

Prompts:

1. What do you think about Levin's comparison of naughty children and philosophers?

2. Do you think Levin will be able to wholeheartedly immerse himself in the church's doctrines now?

3. Can you relate to what Levin is going through?

4. Do you think Levin will share his thoughts with Kitty, and how do you imagine she will react?

5. Favourite line / anything else to add?

What the Hemingway chaps had to say:

/r/thehemingwaylist 2020-03-10 discussion

Final line:

>‘My God, thank you!’ he said, stifling the sobs rising within him and wiping away with both hands the tears that had filled his eyes.

Next post:

Mon, 13 Dec; tomorrow!

Prompts:

1. How well do you think can Stiva cope with the death of his sister?

2. Stiva and Vronsky are going to war. What may be their motivation to do so?

3. Why does the princess think that it would be the best for Vronsky to go to war?

4. We saw a short glimpse of the interaction between Vronsky and Stiva. Stiva was talking eagerly to Vronsky, while Vronsky was frowning and looking straight, like he would not hear Stiva. What do you think about that scene?

5. Favourite line / anything else to add?

What the Hemingway chaps had to say:

/r/thehemingwaylist 2020-02-29 discussion

Final line:

> Then two officers emerged, bowing too, and a stout man with a big beard, wearing a greasy forage cap.

Next post:

Thu, 2 Dec; tomorrow!

Edit: Really only looking for works by Tolstoy tbh. I loved the book's prose and wisdom, hence why I mentioned him specifically.

For those recommending his short stories, would you mind listing some specifics?

Prompts:

1. Vronsky's gnawing toothache contrasts with the image of the even white teeth Tolstoy often liked to describe. Did you find that an effective way to show character development?

2. What do you think will happen with Vronsky? Will he survive and come back to war? Or will this be his end?

3. We were not spared a description of Anna's corpse, and it appears that her face was undamaged. What did you think about that?

4. Did Anna get her revenge on Vronsky?

5. Favourite line / anything else to add?

What the Hemingway chaps had to say:

/r/thehemingwaylist 2020-03-03 discussion

Final line:

> And after talking a little more of King Milan’s proclamation, and the immense effect it might have, they parted, going to their carriages on hearing the second bell.

Next post:

Sun, 5 Dec; tomorrow

Prompts:

1. What did you think about Vronsky's mother's opinions on Anna?

2. Why do you think Sergey Ivanovich is not as judgemental?

3. What do you make of Vronsky’s mother saying she knew it was Anna as soon as she heard a woman had thrown herself under a train?

4. Do you think Alexey Karenin gaining custody of Annie is a good outcome for her?

5. We learnt from the countess that Vronsky had taken Anna's death very hard, and we're reminded of his past failed suicide attempt. Given that he now has the additional burden of a toothache, do you believe he could become suicidal?

6. Favourite line / anything else to add?

What the Hemingway chaps had to say:

/r/thehemingwaylist 2020-03-02 discussion

Final line:

> Sergey Ivanovitch said he would be very glad to, and crossed over to the other side of the station.

Next post:

Sat, 4 Dec; tomorrow!

Prompts:

>It seemed to him that he had an answer to this question; but he had not time to formulate it to himself before he went into the nursery.

What do you think is the answer? And: will Levin put aside this question of the shared tenets of the other religions, or will he continue to struggle with it?

2. What do you think is the implied significance (or not) of Mitya beginning to recognise his parents?

3. Do you think it was a good thing that Levin told Kitty he was disappointed in his feelings towards the baby, or should he have kept it to himself?

4. Any predictions as to what the last chapter will contain?

5. Favourite line / anything else to add?

What the Hemingway chaps had to say:

/r/thehemingwaylist 2020-03-15 discussion

Final line:

> ‘[..] Well, you should go back to them. Because it’s always so hot and steamy here after the bath . . .’

Next post:

Tue, 21 Dec; in 4 days, i.e. 3-day gap – finale!

Listen to the audio version of this review on the Audiobook Reviews in Five Minutes podcast: https://podcast.jannastam.com/episode/classic-literature-as-audiobook-anna-karenina-by-leo-tolstoy-read-by-maggie-gyllenhaal

Audible recently made this recording free to all members as part of its Audible Plus catalogue, so I decided it was time to take the plunge, given the high ratings and praise for Gyllenhaal’s performance. Although I’ve seen just two of the nearly 20 film and television adaptations of this novel, I hadn’t read the book from cover to cover. And while I enjoy period costume more than the average person, after listening to this audiobook, I don’t believe it’s possible for any film version to match the emotional subtlety and psychological elements of this book. After all, Tolstoy challenges us with the question, “Is it really possible to tell someone else what one feels?” There’s so much going on inside these characters. Their inner lives dominate the storytelling, especially when it comes to the character of Konstantin Levin, who is widely understood to be a representation of Tolstoy himself.

I think this limitation is why filmed versions of this story focus largely on Tolstoy’s heroine, the unhappily married Anna Karenina, and her tragic affair with dashing Count Vronsky. Yet, as the audible description says, this novel is considered a masterpiece not only because of the unforgettable woman at its core and the stark drama of her fate, but also because it explores and illuminates the deepest questions about how to live a fulfilled life.

What strikes me most is Tolstoy’s uncanny skill at conveying feelings of ambivalence in the thoughts and actions of his characters. Even the initial feelings of attraction between Anna and Count Vronsky are interspersed with hesitancy and denial.

Maybe you’ve also seen a film adaptation of Anne Karenina, and you’re daunted by the sheer length of this book. At 35 hours and 35 minutes, this is one of the longest audiobooks you’ll ever listen to, but Maggie Gyllenhaal’s narration held my attention for hours at a time. She captures subtle nuances that draw out an enormous range of emotions in Tolstoy’s famous characters, especially through her performance of character dialogue. She’s added slight variations to tone and cadence that make these conversations sound surprisingly relatable and contemporary. One of my favourite highlights is Levin attempting to indulge in Stiva Oblonsky’s preferences for exotic French

Alright. Let’s talk about it. The book is divided into 8 parts.

Let’s read through “part 1” and start to discuss it on February 1.

Part 1 is about 5 hours of the audio book. Several hours of reading.

Let’s talk about:

Red pill themes.

Favorite characters

Impressions.

Non-spoiler predictions.

See you in February.

Prompts:

1. What do you think was the meaning of the thunderstorm and this chapter in general?

> ‘Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? I can’t think how you can be so reckless!’ he said angrily to his wife

Why did Levin react in this way? What do you think about his reaction?

3. Do you think Levin will believe that Kitty and Mitya were saved by his prayers?

4. What will happen after the storm? How did you think the book will end?

5. Favourite line / anything else to add?

What the Hemingway chaps had to say:

/r/thehemingwaylist 2020-03-14 discussion

Final line:

> Levin walked beside his wife, and, penitent for having been angry, he squeezed her hand when the nurse was not looking.

Next post:

Fri, 17 Dec; tomorrow!