Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

The infamous standing of Anna Karenina as a classic is well known around the globe. When I first received the book, I was not prepared for how long it was – 800 pages with smaller than the average font size. To be honest, I tried to read it several years ago but could not get past part 1 (out of 8). The number of characters and unfamiliarity of Russian names still boggles my mind. The second time around was a success – I truly believe it requires patience and maturity to enjoy reading this one. Not to say you can’t be a young reader – go for it!

To summarize, the book centers around a dozen main characters, and countless supporting actors. The main roles are from the Karenina, Shchherbatsky and Levin families who are all nobles in the 1800’s Russia. As you might have guessed, the relationships intertwined with the 3 households are complex, as they are all related through many complicated marriages. Motifs include loyalty vs affairs, noble vs. peasants, Christianity vs. nonbelievers, academics vs uneducated, disabled vs. health, rural vs. urban life and of course, life vs. death. The character building in this novel is unlike any other – I had my dislikes and favourites, but all of them are well rounded. Tolstoy tells you everything the person is doing, thinking and their beliefs and dreams. You connect with them not at an equal level, but every action is fated.

Sometimes annoying but other times a joy to read, is the massive amount of scene descriptions and knowledge material, from farming to clothing, to operas, concerts and clubs, it is a marvel of history to read. In the end, you might have saved time skipping them, but they add layers to each person’s life. On the other hand, I found the plot to be lacklustre. I could often predict what will happen and the lives of aristocrats are very dull sometimes, and superficial. This means the ending and storyline won’t be heartbreaking, but not exciting either.

My verdict is that this is book is a masterpiece for what it accomplishes to tell us, and its broad ideologies in social class, politics, religion, and love are relevant to this day. Appreciation of all character arcs of the story brings upon reflection into our modern-day society ideologies and livelihood, and often the same human struggles remain. My favourite parts of the novel include how the main character “heals” themselves and recovers – first Dolly, then Kitty, Levin, Stiva, Anna and Vronsky. Some figure it out, such as leaving “Moscow sorrows behind”, while others see that “love…it means too much to me, far more than you can understand” and ultimately succumbs to it. The title ends with my favourite character’s self-discovery and is a message that pertains to everything which I shall conclude this post with: “my whole life, irrespective of everything that might happen to me, every minute of it – is not only meaningless like it was before, but has the indisputable meaning of goodness, which I have the power to instil in it!”

Cheers,

Kelly

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