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.' Her passion for Tolstoy’s masterpiece definitely shines through in her narration, making this classic story more enticing than ever. She told Audible, 'If I don't give the utmost respect and understanding, I'm not doing justice to this brilliantly compassionate book. It won the title of Audible’s Best Classic the year it was published, and Gyllenhaal’s description of her narrating experience makes it clear that she earned the praise. That’s why Maggie Gyllenhaal’s 2016 performance feels like both a work of art and a gift to the literary community. Unfortunately to many who would seek to experience the classic, it’s also an incredibly challenging read of over 800 pages, with a giant cast and a wide variety of settings. Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is universally considered one of the most formative works in history, and the author himself has said it was his first true novel.

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