What’s your favorite book? Mine is still one that I read when I was just starting my early adulthood. A great classic, by the great writer …
Leo Tosltoy: Ana Karenina.
I reckon that the book is long. But it is written in such a way, that it flows by. You can’t put it down because you want to know what is going to happen with all those characters. And there are many characters. However, you can keep with the story that is happening to each one of them. Also, with having a written description, you can make yourself the impression of how each of this fictional people are. You can get a very well formed image of them, just by their actions, their ideas, what they say and what they do.
Nevertheless, the thing that I loved the most about this book, is that it has made me realize that humanity’s essence it is and has always been the same. What each human being expects, want, fear is in the end the same. No matter time, no matter place. Ana Karenina was written 100 years before and on the other side of the world to where I live. But still, if I removed the particularities of time and place, and left the bear soul, the essence of the characters I could see something that could have happened next to me. So, how great can a book be, if you get that out of it!
If you remove time and place particularities, you’ll keep the essence
Credit: Sharon Kringen
Have you read it? Do you agree with my point of view? What was your impression after reading it?
PS: I have the 2012 movie version with Kaira Nigthly. The movies (or at least this particular one) don’t show at all this impression. It doesn’t even cover all the characters of the book.
Simply Conversing 
I agree with you about the film, and it is so true that the book captures the essence of what it is to be human. I guess that’s what a classic book is – one in which the characters and their actions are familiar to an audience who may be reading the book in a different place or time from when it was written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting idea. I had never questioned myself what it meant being a classic.
LikeLike
Sorry to comment again but I just realized comments on my post closed so here was the response I was trying to send you: SJ, sorry for the delay in responding. Thanks for reading and the comment. I have frequently discussed how I try and separate film and literature starting in this post: http://themovierat.com/2012/03/14/10-keys-to-a-better-life-as-a-fanboy-1-a-book-is-a-book-a-question-of-form/. I have absolutely no doubt Wright took liberties in omissions and tonal changes, one needs only to see his Pan prequel to see that.The film, for what it is and what it tries to be, is one I love. As for Tolstoy I’ve read some of his short works and found them brilliant. War and Peace which is something I started twice is a bucket list book for me, and after I read that I’d love to get to Anna Karenina too. I love thought-provoking comments and thank you again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should read Anna Karenina when you get a chance. I found Tolstoy’s novels much better than his short stories. I couldn’t fully enjoy them and I also found them too dramatic.
It also happened to me with War and Peace that I had to start it several times until I could follow the book. I am actually half way through it right now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this quick, punchy reaction universal truths in books are usually what makes them last.
LikeLiked by 1 person