Try free for 2 months
-
Anna Karenina
- Narrated by: Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Length: 35 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for $58.52
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Brothers Karamazov [Naxos AudioBooks Edition]
- By: Constance Garnett - translator, Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Narrated by: Constantine Gregory
- Length: 37 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a titanic figure among the world's great authors, and The Brothers Karamazov is often hailed as his finest novel. A masterpiece on many levels, it transcends the boundaries of a gripping murder mystery to become a moving account of the battle between love and hate, faith and despair, compassion and cruelty, good and evil.
-
-
Excellent
- By David on 26-05-2015
-
Wuthering Heights
- Penguin Classics
- By: Emily Brontë
- Narrated by: Aimee Lou Wood, Kristin Atherton - introduction
- Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lockwood, the new tenant of Thrushcross Grange on the bleak Yorkshire moors, is forced to seek shelter one night at Wuthering Heights, the home of his landlord. There he discovers the history of the tempestuous events that took place years before: of the intense passion between the foundling Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, and her betrayal of him. As Heathcliff's bitterness and vengeance is visited upon the next generation, their innocent heirs must struggle to escape the legacy of the past.
-
-
Eternal love, eternal pain
- By Juy Hepner on 30-01-2022
-
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- By: Mark Twain
- Narrated by: Eric G. Dove
- Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Following the events of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn is under the watchful stewardship of the Widow Douglas. However, when he is forced back into his drunken father's custody, Huck fakes his own death and runs off down river. In the process, he meets up with Jim, a runaway slave, and the two become friends as well as travel companions. Their adventures lead them through many twists and turns through the American South, embarking on a legendary journey.
-
-
Love the voice!
- By reibunny on 03-03-2015
-
War and Peace
- By: Leo Tolstoy
- Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
- Length: 61 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace is at once an epic of the Napoleonic wars, a philosophical study, and a celebration of the Russian spirit. Tolstoy's genius is clearly seen in the multitude of characters in this massive chronicle, all of them fully realized and equally memorable.
-
-
Great text, terrible reading
- By Fahim Ahmad on 26-02-2018
-
Jane Eyre
- By: Charlotte Brontë
- Narrated by: Thandiwe Newton
- Length: 19 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Following Jane from her childhood as an orphan in Northern England through her experience as a governess at Thornfield Hall, Charlotte Brontë's Gothic classic is an early exploration of women's independence in the mid-19th century and the pervasive societal challenges women had to endure. At Thornfield, Jane meets the complex and mysterious Mr. Rochester, with whom she shares a complicated relationship that ultimately forces her to reconcile the conflicting passions of romantic love and religious piety.
-
-
Men really are the worst, huh
- By James on 25-08-2020
-
Pride and Prejudice
- By: Jane Austen
- Narrated by: Rosamund Pike
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of Jane Austen’s most beloved works, Pride and Prejudice, is vividly brought to life by Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike ( Gone Girl). In her bright and energetic performance of this British classic, she expertly captures Austen’s signature wit and tone. Her attention to detail, her literary background, and her performance in the 2005 feature film version of the novel provide the perfect foundation from which to convey the story of Elizabeth Bennet, her four sisters, and the inimitable Mr. Darcy.
-
-
Wonderful reading of a gorgeous book
- By Belinda on 23-08-2016
-
The Brothers Karamazov [Naxos AudioBooks Edition]
- By: Constance Garnett - translator, Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Narrated by: Constantine Gregory
- Length: 37 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a titanic figure among the world's great authors, and The Brothers Karamazov is often hailed as his finest novel. A masterpiece on many levels, it transcends the boundaries of a gripping murder mystery to become a moving account of the battle between love and hate, faith and despair, compassion and cruelty, good and evil.
-
-
Excellent
- By David on 26-05-2015
-
Wuthering Heights
- Penguin Classics
- By: Emily Brontë
- Narrated by: Aimee Lou Wood, Kristin Atherton - introduction
- Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lockwood, the new tenant of Thrushcross Grange on the bleak Yorkshire moors, is forced to seek shelter one night at Wuthering Heights, the home of his landlord. There he discovers the history of the tempestuous events that took place years before: of the intense passion between the foundling Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, and her betrayal of him. As Heathcliff's bitterness and vengeance is visited upon the next generation, their innocent heirs must struggle to escape the legacy of the past.
-
-
Eternal love, eternal pain
- By Juy Hepner on 30-01-2022
-
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- By: Mark Twain
- Narrated by: Eric G. Dove
- Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Following the events of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn is under the watchful stewardship of the Widow Douglas. However, when he is forced back into his drunken father's custody, Huck fakes his own death and runs off down river. In the process, he meets up with Jim, a runaway slave, and the two become friends as well as travel companions. Their adventures lead them through many twists and turns through the American South, embarking on a legendary journey.
-
-
Love the voice!
- By reibunny on 03-03-2015
-
War and Peace
- By: Leo Tolstoy
- Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
- Length: 61 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace is at once an epic of the Napoleonic wars, a philosophical study, and a celebration of the Russian spirit. Tolstoy's genius is clearly seen in the multitude of characters in this massive chronicle, all of them fully realized and equally memorable.
-
-
Great text, terrible reading
- By Fahim Ahmad on 26-02-2018
-
Jane Eyre
- By: Charlotte Brontë
- Narrated by: Thandiwe Newton
- Length: 19 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Following Jane from her childhood as an orphan in Northern England through her experience as a governess at Thornfield Hall, Charlotte Brontë's Gothic classic is an early exploration of women's independence in the mid-19th century and the pervasive societal challenges women had to endure. At Thornfield, Jane meets the complex and mysterious Mr. Rochester, with whom she shares a complicated relationship that ultimately forces her to reconcile the conflicting passions of romantic love and religious piety.
-
-
Men really are the worst, huh
- By James on 25-08-2020
-
Pride and Prejudice
- By: Jane Austen
- Narrated by: Rosamund Pike
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of Jane Austen’s most beloved works, Pride and Prejudice, is vividly brought to life by Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike ( Gone Girl). In her bright and energetic performance of this British classic, she expertly captures Austen’s signature wit and tone. Her attention to detail, her literary background, and her performance in the 2005 feature film version of the novel provide the perfect foundation from which to convey the story of Elizabeth Bennet, her four sisters, and the inimitable Mr. Darcy.
-
-
Wonderful reading of a gorgeous book
- By Belinda on 23-08-2016
-
War and Peace (AmazonClassics Edition)
- By: Leo Tolstoy, Louise Maude - translator, Aylmer Maude - translator
- Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
- Length: 55 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In early nineteenth-century Russia, the threat of Napoleon’s invasion looms, and the lives of millions are about to be changed forever. This includes Pierre Bezúkhov, illegitimate son of an aristocrat; Andrew Bolkónski, ambitious military scion; and Natásha Rostóva, compassionate daughter of a nobleman. All of them are unprepared for what lies ahead. Alongside their fellow compatriots - a catalog of enduring literary characters - Pierre, Andrew, and Natásha will be irrevocably torn between fate and free will.
-
-
cant even listen to tge book
- By Mario on 05-09-2021
-
To Kill a Mockingbird
- By: Harper Lee
- Narrated by: Sissy Spacek
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
'Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.' A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic novel - a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the '30s.
-
-
Sissy Spacek at her best
- By Anonymous User on 27-02-2021
-
The Bell Jar
- By: Sylvia Plath
- Narrated by: Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Read by the critically acclaimed actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. When Esther Greenwood wins an internship at a New York fashion magazine in 1953, she is elated, believing she will finally realise her dream to become a writer. But in between the cocktail parties and piles of manuscripts, Esther's life begins to slide out of control. She finds herself spiralling into depression and eventually a suicide attempt as she grapples with difficult relationships and a society which refuses to take women's aspirations seriously.
-
-
Not the literary chore I thought it would be
- By fioco on 05-05-2020
-
The Great Gatsby
- By: F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Narrated by: Jake Gyllenhaal
- Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic American novel of the Roaring Twenties is beloved by generations of readers and stands as his crowning work. This new audio edition, authorized by the Fitzgerald estate, is narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal ( Brokeback Mountain). Gyllenhaal's performance is a faithful delivery in the voice of Nick Carraway, the Midwesterner turned New York bond salesman, who rents a small house next door to the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby. There, he has a firsthand view of Gatsby’s lavish West Egg parties - and of his undying love....
-
-
Enjoyable & a reminder of a well spoken novel
- By Adam Sutherton on 26-04-2015
-
David Copperfield [Naxos AudioBooks]
- By: Charles Dickens
- Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 36 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The intensely personal David Copperfield (widely regarded to be the most autobiographical of the author’s novels) is one of Dickens’ greatest works. We follow David Copperfield from birth and miserable childhood to inevitable tragedies, until he finally finds happiness later in life. Full of some of the most memorable characters in literary history. Nicholas Boulton’s depiction of the oily Uriah Heep and David Copperfield’s sinister stepfather, Murdstone, do the novel full justice.
-
-
A Treasure
- By Anonymous User on 23-10-2020
-
The Jane Austen Collection
- An Audible Original Drama
- By: Jane Austen
- Narrated by: Claire Foy, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Billie Piper, and others
- Length: 45 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Renowned as much for her wit and satirical social commentary as for her stories of love and romance, Jane Austen remains unfailingly relevant and one of Britain’s best loved authors. In this Audible Original collection, an all-star list of narrators (Billie Piper, Claire Foy, Emma Thompson, Florence Pugh and Gugu Mbatha-Raw) capture Austen’s pin-sharp humour and tone in these dramatisations of her six beloved novels accompanied by a full cast.
-
-
This Wrongly claims to be the unabridged version
- By Ailsa on 25-01-2021
-
Crime and Punishment
- By: Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- Narrated by: Constantine Gregory
- Length: 22 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A century after it first appeared, Crime and Punishment remains one of the most gripping psychological thrillers. A poverty-stricken young man, seeing his family making sacrifices for him, is faced with an opportunity to solve his financial problems with one simple but horrifying act: the murder of a pawnbroker. She is, he feels, just a parasite on society. But does the end justify the means? Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov makes his decision and then has to live with it.
-
-
One of the greatest literary feats
- By Georgeorges on 28-07-2020
-
Don Quixote
- By: John Ormsby - translator, Miguel de Cervantes
- Narrated by: Roy McMillan
- Length: 36 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The most influential work of the entire Spanish literary canon and a founding work of modern Western literature, Don Quixote is also one of the greatest works ever written. Hugely entertaining but also moving at times, this episodic novel is built on the fantasy life of one Alonso Quixano, who lives with his niece and housekeeper in La Mancha. Quixano, obsessed by tales of knight errantry, renames himself ‘Don Quixote’ and with his faithful servant Sancho Panza, goes on a series of quests.
-
-
Hillarious. Great Insight into Spain 400 Years Ago
- By Anonymous User on 19-12-2018
-
Ulysses
- Penguin Classics
- By: James Joyce
- Narrated by: Patrick Gibson
- Length: 32 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Following the events of one single day in Dublin, the 16th June 1904, and what happens to the characters Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom and his wife, Molly, Ulysses is a monument to the human condition. It has survived censorship, controversy and legal action and even been deemed blasphemous but remains an undisputed modernist classic: ceaselessly inventive, garrulous, funny, sorrowful, vulgar, lyrical and ultimately redemptive. It confirms Joyce's belief that literature 'is the eternal affirmation of the spirit of man'.
-
-
Perfect Voice for this Epic Work of Literature
- By Simon Rashleigh on 13-12-2020
-
Anna Karenina
- By: Leo Tolstoy, Louise Maude - translator, Aylmer Maude - translator
- Narrated by: Tamaryn Payne
- Length: 33 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The heroine of Tolstoy's epic of love and self-destruction, Anna Karenina has beauty, wealth, popularity and an adored son, but feels that her life is empty until she encounters the impetuous officer Count Vronsky. Their subsequent affair scandalises society and family alike, and brings jealousy and bitterness in its wake. Contrasting with this is the vividly observed story of Levin, a man striving to find contentment and a meaning to his life - and also a self-portrait of Tolstoy himself.
-
-
Outstanding translation that is very well narrated
- By literati on 03-08-2020
-
War and Peace
- Penguin Classics
- By: Leo Tolstoy, Anthony Briggs - translator
- Narrated by: Chloe Pirrie, Sam Woolf, Michael Fox, and others
- Length: 67 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At a glittering society party in St Petersburg in 1805, conversations are dominated by the prospect of war. Terror swiftly engulfs the country as Napoleon's army marches on Russia and the lives of three young people are changed forever. The stories of quixotic Pierre, cynical Andrey and impetuous Natasha interweave with a huge cast, from aristocrats and peasants, to soldiers and Napoleon himself.
-
-
This audiobook is the only reason I finished
- By Sarah Cook on 10-03-2021
-
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
- By: Mark Twain
- Narrated by: Nick Offerman
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A natural storyteller and raconteur in his own right - just listen to Paddle Your Own Canoe and Gumption - actor, comedian, carpenter, and all-around manly man Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) brings his distinctive baritone and a fine-tuned comic versatility to Twain's writing. In a knockout performance, he doesn't so much as read Twain's words as he does rejoice in them, delighting in the hijinks of Tom - whom he lovingly refers to as a "great scam artist" and "true American hero".
-
-
classic book beautifully read
- By James W. Matson on 15-06-2022
Publisher's Summary
Winner: Audible's Best of 2016 - Classic
"Anna Karenina is one of my favorite books. But when I agreed to read it for Audible, I had no idea how much work it would be, how intense it would be, and how deeply I would fall in love with it. There were places where I thought 'if I don't give Alexey Alexandrovitch the respect that he deserves in my reading of this scene, a critical part of the book will be ruined. If I don't give EVERYONE the utmost respect and understanding, I'm not doing justice to this brilliantly compassionate book.' But at the same time, I also wanted to have a light touch in the way I played the different characters, so that the magnificence of the novel could shine through. I feel like performing this novel is one of the major accomplishments of my work life - it was so challenging and so deep, a real pleasure." (Narrator Maggie Gyllenhaal)
Leo Tolstoy's classic story of doomed love is one of the most admired novels in world literature. Generations of readers have been enthralled by his magnificent heroine, the unhappily married Anna Karenina, and her tragic affair with dashing Count Vronsky. Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, The Honourable Woman) cites Tolstoy's epic as one of her favorite books of all time, and her love for the literature permeates her performance. Anna Karenina is 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.
More from the same
Narrator
What listeners say about Anna Karenina
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brookethechicken
- 11-10-2016
The best way to experience Anna Karenina
There's no denying that Anna Karenina is a masterpiece, but like all masterpieces, it can also be a hard read. It's long. There are lots of people with confusing names. There are parts about politics that drag on and you have no idea why you're still reading. And did I mention it's long?
Though this has been one of my favorite books for a long time, I'm so glad I decided to listen to the audio version as I think it clarifies some of the things that can be missed in the reading of it. The names for one thing become a lot clearer when you hear someone else say them correctly.
Maggie Gyllenhaal does an outstanding job of the reading and is able to portray the characters and the feeling of each scene in such a perfect way. Some might wonder at the ability to carry off so many male voices without them all blending into one or not seeming masculine enough but she both articulates the individuals and expresses the male characters wonderfully.
Whether you have previously read the book or it's a new work of fiction for you, I highly recommend listening to this version of Anna Karenina.
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lauren
- 26-03-2019
Returning due to the narrator
By the 9th chapter I was almost asleep. While having a very smooth voice, there was very little emotion in the reading, and absolutely no distinction between character voices. This was confusing as the many character names are complex and tricky to follow on their own if it is your first time, as it is mine. I'm going to try a different narrator and hope for a more dramatic reading.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jodie Baker
- 29-09-2016
Long but worth it
I'm not sure I would have ever picked up Tolstoy in another format, but the performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal (particularly when she finds her rhythm a few chapters into the book) make this story not just digestible but utterly delightful. Unquestionably Tolstoy was a master of human insight, and his articulation of such diverse characters and their struggles ensure his observations transcend both time and culture.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- RCF
- 21-09-2016
Stunning and faultless reading of this classic
I've read and loved this book before but Maggie G's exquisite, intuitive, sophisticated reading gave this powerful story new depths. I highly recommend this to fans of Tolstoy and searchers of the perfect narrator. You've found her. Look no further.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ross Bouskill
- 23-05-2021
Best Narrator Ever (and the best book too !!)
Maggie Gyllenhaal is sublime in her narration of this book. She makes this first rate story come alive and the book is easily the best of all time. Congratulations Maggie - you’re truly capital 👏👏👏
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Clau
- 09-03-2019
Worth it
Having tried and failed to read a different 'classic' long ago and taking into account how much I enjoyed M.G.'s narration of another (much shorter ) book, I decided to purchase this.
It took a while to get into, around the end of part 3 is where it got much easier to 'read' for me.
In spite of not loving most of the Levin chapters(honestly wondered why this wasn't named Konstantin Levin/Anna Karenina multiple times), I would still recommend this book.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 04-03-2019
Lovely voice
I love Maggie’s voice she can speak French beautifully but her German was unrehearsed and awful! Story is classic.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 21-01-2021
Beautiful
Maggie does an excellent job pacing through this novel. Her voice is comforting and while she doesn’t have the biggest range between characters it is clear who is speaking when dialogue occurs. I quite prefer that to some of the outlandish voices other narrators put on the characters.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 11-07-2019
Maggie Gyllenhal ruins it
Naggie has an expressionless narration and butchers the pronunciation of most words. ruined the book.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Droo
- 27-02-2019
Perfection!
I have tried to read this book at least three times but could never get into it. It was only when it was read to me by the talented Maggie Gyllenhaal that I finally started enjoying and appreciating this book. M Gyllenhaal conveys the meaning that I was missing left to my own devices. If I did not find this audible version I doubt I would have ever read or appreciated this book,
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- K. Johnson
- 11-08-2018
Maggie Gyllenhaal is exquisite perfection
I am an avid audiobooks listener and seldom do I write a review, but my experience needs to be shared. Maggie Gyllenhaal delivers a flawless - I mean flawless - performance of this, at times, burdensome story. Look, I knew this was a long book before I started, and I was in it for the long haul when Maggie began narrating. She does more than narrate. She performs the piece and makes it dance. The inflection and sharpness of her pronunciation of the French and Russian phrasing is flawless. You will enjoy this classic because she delivers it with exquisite perfection.
203 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jonathan Roa
- 05-03-2020
Buy a Different Version!!
Maggie Gyllenhall does not do good as a narrator or voice actor, which is sad because she is a great actress. But she only uses 1 tone for a man, and 1 tone for a women, and it is soo difficult to tell when she transitions from narrations to dialogue. I heard this book is one of the greatest works of English literature, and the plot 9 hours in is good, but with Maggie's narration I can't tell which characters are doing what and have to constantly rewind to listen again. Not to mention she doesn't try to add emotion to the dialogue. I've listened to tons of books, and the voice actor/narrator can make all the difference. At the end of the day I'm getting a different version, because I simply cannot enjoy the book at this point.
92 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Charles B
- 27-08-2018
Need to Disclose and Highlight Name of Translator
If you disclosed Constance Garnett as the translator of this version of Anna Karenina, where did you do so? I didn't catch it. This is important information that needs to be highlighted. Vladimir Nabokov, a master of the Russian and English languages, thought that Garnett's translation was a "complete disaster." Whether Nabokov was right or not, there certainly is a real controversy about the translation.
I beg you, in the future please disclose the translator's name routinely, and as prominently as the name of the author. Thank you.
623 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Dijou
- 10-03-2019
Returned after only one hour of listening
I adore Maggie Gyllenhaal as an actress, but she was a poor choice to read this book. It was impossible to discern which character was speaking as they all sounded exactly the same. Very disappointed.
41 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- J. Stirling
- 02-08-2016
Not to be rushed but to be savored
This is not the dull endless drama I read in college. Maggie Gyllenhaal brings every word to life. Tolstoy in spite my youthful opinion many years ago, created characters that are exciting, brilliant, often frustrating, selfish, funny and in many ways just like our own family members. I didn't want it to be over and I know I will listen to this again. Right now I wish I could talk to other readers to share all the deep thoughts and feelings this book awakens.
209 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- LolaD3
- 06-08-2018
I can't believe I finished the whole thing!
Maggie Gyllenhaal is one of my favorite actresses of all time. When I saw that Anna Karenina was on sale a few weeks ago and that Maggie was the narrator, I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. I not only enjoyed her narrations but the story was interesting as well. It took me a while to finish the entire book but I did. This surprised me because I have been getting into a habit of not finishing books after becoming bored with them. This historical fiction classic was sad, funny and entertaining up to the end. I was surprised at how relative the characters are to modern society. I found Maggie Gyllenhaal's voice to be really relaxing and soothing. It makes the experience very enjoyable.
68 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- brieanna
- 19-08-2018
Audio book A+
I'm so glad I bought this in audio. It's so good from Maggie Gyllenhaal. I feel like this book is a difficult, and long read \listen but it is so worth it! I'm so excited to check this off my list.
23 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- L. Kerr
- 22-07-2016
Top Notch Performance
I've listened to several audiobook recordings of this classic novel. This one may be the best.
The narrator is a famous American actress who obviously devoted a lot of time and effort. I admire her because audiobook narrators are famously underpaid. I'm sure she didn't do this just for the money. You can tell she loves this story, which in my opinion is the greatest love story in novel form.
One of the unique aspects of this version is that most of the other narrators are British. This narrator has a naturally clear and seamless American delivery. It caused me to pick up subtleties that I didn't feel listening to the Brits (though I thoroughly enjoyed them).
This audiobook is worth your money. I plan to re-listen to it in a few months.
A note on this translation:
This is the famous Constance Garnett translation, which, for many years, was the gold standard and the one beloved by so many great writers such as Faulkner and Hemmingway. There are several recent translations, most of which I've read. This and all translations are very good. I wish there were audiobook versions of the recent translations, but I understand that Audible and other recording companies probably can't afford to pay the translators so they use this and other old translations whose copyrights have expired. This is another reason why this narrator has done such an admirable job. Her performance makes this version, which was written in 1901, sound relevant and fresh.
252 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Stevon
- 16-01-2017
excellent classic, the only way to describe it
First time author for me. If you are like me, every once in a while it's a good change of pace to take on a long classic. You have to be in the right frame of mind but something clicks about a story and you go for it. For me, in this instance, it was narrator Maggie Gyllenhaal the actress. And, she did a great job. But in researching the story while listening I learned that this being a classic, Audible has seven full length versions of this audiobook, all with different narrators. How do you know which one to listen to? There are even two Russian version, one Italian, one Spanish plus abridged versions. I guess this is what happens when a book is a true classic.
At times it seemed that the title of the book is a misnomer. Yes, the doomed love story of Anna is central to the story but there is much more to it. There is the farmer Levin who is questioning his faith the entire story, trying to decide if he's a Believer or Unbeliever. But it's also a time piece of Russian history. Tolstoy wrote this in the 1870's and writes about many facets of Russian life at the time. The Serfs of Russia, most of the people, had been freed from serfdom which was basically slavery. They were now called peasants and had to be paid a wage for their work. Under serfdom Russian agriculture had been a profitable venture for the elite of Russian but now with freedom productivity had gone down and profitability was out the window. The term communism was already being used so the coming revolution wasn't something that dropped onto Russia out of the sky. There was much discussion on the equitable distribution of all things for the good of the people. In many ways these issues still exist in current day Russia.
Tolstoy himself was born into the aristocracy of Russia. Since he touched on so many subjects you had to wonder if he wasn't one of those questioning the status quo. He apparently embraced religion and spirituality later in life and it seemed he may have been espousing his questions and views on the subject a he devotes quite a bit of the story to this topic.
All in all, this is a great classic. When the time is right take the challenge and good luck on deciding which narrator to listen to. I don't know that I have a second listening in me just to try out a second narrator. But it is interesting to see how different narrators can put a different perspective on a story.
95 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- shihao
- 12-08-2016
Really stunning
The voice of the actress is full of emotion but subdued,just like Tolstoy's prose. Beautiful production!!!
50 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- S. Perry
- 22-04-2017
A book for reading
After listening to a few books, I realise that there are books that a great to listen to and books that are better to read (another example of one not to listen to Mrs Dalloway) because the language is so dense. Ci think this is one of those. I struggled to remember who the different names belonged to, and to keep attention to the plot. Tolstoy is an accomplished writer for sure, but I was thinking get to the point.
I don't think Maggie Gyllenhaal was the right reader, I found her a little monotonous and failed to keep my attention.
There was a lot I enjoyed about the book, but I did feel that Anna Karenina needed to get a grip and lacked empathy for her as a character at times.
35 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- L. Russell
- 30-07-2016
a dissapointment
I was really hoping for a riveting listen after reading audibles hype of this performance by Maggie Gyllenhall.
I fancied listening to another classic after becoming bored with crime and thriller reads that all began to sound the same.
My last classic listen was The Woman in White which I thoroughly enjoyed and had high hopes for the praise given to Gyllenhalls interpretation of this classic novel.
I d love to say I made it past chapter 12 but for me it just turned into one long sentence. It was read but not with any gusto or giving any difference to the characters. I found it a woefully dull rendition and returned it.
38 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous
- 29-09-2017
I loved this book and the narrator
I loved everything about this. The story is amazing, I love the way Tolstoy seems to see the world from all the characters points of view and sympathise with all of them. At first I found it odd that Maggie Gyllenhall doesn't put on accents for the different characters - she just reads them all in her voice - but after a while I liked it and it has the advantage that she doesn't shape your perspective on the character; whereas other narrators can really shape how you see a character, e.g. by reading them in a shrill or silly voice. Thank you Maggie for a beautiful performance that will stay with me.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- jean fuller
- 02-04-2018
Flat narration of complex novel
Intersecting stories woven round doomed love affair but disappointingly passionless narration scattered with irritating mispronounciations
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mrs Pat McKnight
- 19-06-2019
Absolutely fantastic book.
I was in two minds about this book and reader due to previous reviews but bought it anyway. I am so glad I did. The story is wonderful and Maggie Gyllenhaal is in my opinion the best choice of reader. Her voice flowed through the book. I was in every room, every house with each character. It was like standing at the edge of the room listening in.32hrs is nothing for this kind of book. I was devastated when it ended. I will listen to this book many times. My next buy will be War and Peace. Can't wait.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- platosdunce
- 29-12-2018
Excellent reading of classic novel
The reading is very well done, the story justly famous, the narrator distinguishes well between the characters and is particularly on form in conveying the pathos of Anna herself, the reality of love's imagined failure crossing into the romantic mania for grand statement and that burden of loss and guilt that remains for the survivor. For some British listeners the accent might become too severe but I didn't find it so. So if you want the feminine take this is to be recommended, if you prefer the male voice then the Horovitch version is also excellent.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Ray Woodward
- 24-06-2020
Absolutely stunning - a truly definitive performance.
Beautifully read, Ms Gyllenhaal gives truly rounded inner and outer lives to Tolstoy’s characters and sets the scenes so fully that the emotions and their development in the world they inhabit is so vividly set one can only feel oneself being fully immersed in their lives, their loves, intrigues, frustrations, jealousies… all their emotions are delivered with neither monotony nor unnecessary embellishment so that the whole work rises up from the page and transports you into the author’s Russia in a way that feel at once both authentic to the time and true to the eternal lives that we all live. It is a definitive production that shows what brilliance can be achieved when a great work is performed by a great actor in a great production. If there is one Audible work that I can recommend without hesitation it’s this.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 18-05-2020
Excellent narration
Maggie Gyllenhaal was a wonderful narrator! She gave wonderful emotion to the characters. The story itself is full of rich characters and their wrestle with religion and love and relationships is thought-provoking and totally engrossing.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- MVG
- 12-11-2016
So long
The OCD in me made me finish this even though it was nearly 40 hours. Maggie is cool and I like her so much I picked this book but even she can not make pages and pages on farming methods interesting and her French pronunciation is jarring.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 10-06-2022
An enjoyable listen
I great insight into how the Russian aristocracy lived and thought.
I found is slightly odd the the quotations in French were not translated to English some of the key moments of the book were lost on be because I didn't speak French.
16 Best Audiobooks by Aboriginal Authors
Across genres, there’s no shortage of brilliant titles from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers of Australia.



16 Audiobooks Full of Life Hacks to Live By
Looking to improve yourself mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually? This is where to start.



14 Feel-Good Audiobooks to Brighten Up Your Day
The Audible library is packed with feel-good audiobooks that will lighten the soul and fill the heart with joy.


