Review of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

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.

In their world frivolous liaisons are commonplace, but Anna and Vronsky’s consuming passion makes them a target for scorn and leads to Anna’s increasing isolation. The heartbreaking trajectory of their relationship contrasts sharply with the colorful swirl of friends and family members who surround them, especially the newlyweds Kitty and Levin, who forge a touching bond as they struggle to make a life together. 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.

***

Now, I know that this is quite out of the norm for our blog. I know that this book is not supernatural or anything magical. Still, I have a passion for the classics and thought, "Hey, why not?" So, for any one who might want to read something out of the norm, here you go.

Let me start off by saying that this book is LONG! I know, that is a little obvious, but I feel the need to express it. It took me two weeks to read this book and seeing as how I read "Gone with the Wind" in three days, the length and details of this book can be determined with that information.

So when the book starts off, we expect it to be about some woman named Anna Karenina right? Well, its not. That is the first unique thing about the book. The book begins with Oblonsky, the unfaithful older brother to Anna. So this in itself is something to help foreshadow the events of the book. Basically, there is an affair which gives you a pretty good foreshadowing of what is to come....Need I say more?

Throughout the book, the point of view changes but the point remains the same. Love. Betrayal. Death. What more could you want?

For When Words Aren't Enough....

Yes, it's for the movie, but it's still pretty close!

Goodreads          Amazon          B&N          The Book Depository