Book Review: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

“Sometimes she did not know what she feared, what she desired: whether she feared or desired what had been or what would be, and precisely what she desired, she did not know.”

Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Review:

Having gotten through War & Peace last year, I felt much less intimidated about picking up Anna Karenina. I’ve heard a lot of people say they prefer this book, and it’s easy to see why. Where War & Peace is largely a political commentary, Anna Karenina keeps its commentary more intertwined with the characters. 

On the surface, this book is about Russian aristocracy. Although there are several characters and their relationships to follow, the main focus is on Anna and on Levin. Each character leads a different lifestyle with each character representing the opposing themes of infidelity and piety. 

Feeling trapped in a loveless marriage, Anna carries on an affair with Count Vronsky. Although the two are happy together at the start, it becomes evident to Anna that in choosing Vronsky, she has sacrificed everything else in her life while both Vronsky and her husband, Karenin, are allowed to remain visible in society. 

Levin, wealthy but awkward, is cerebral in his approach to life. He’s in love with Kitty, but she is initially interested in Vronsky (who, of course, goes on to choose Anna over her). Levin is patient, and the two eventually marry. 

Much like my experience was while reading War & Peace, it wasn’t until the end of the book when it became more philosophical that I started realizing how much I was enjoying the story. I think if I was more interested in the time period, I would have enjoyed the drawn-out scenes and conversations a lot more. I can’t say I was particularly rooting for anyone and I wasn’t wholly invested in the characters or plot, but it’s a book that made me think, which I do enjoy. 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• The contrasting themes between the two key characters and how they wove the story together.
• There’s something about Tolstoy’s final chapters that I eat up. I can feel bored through 80% of the book and then instantly forget that boredom.

What I didn’t like:

• There are so many characters and so many side plots that it becomes difficult to follow. It doesn’t help that a lot of the names are similar as well.

Afterthoughts:

I don’t know if this one will stay with me the way War & Peace has, but I can see myself revisiting it sometime in the distant future for a fresh perspective.

Where to buy the book: