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adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I will not say that I’m not smart enough to understand this book, merely not educated enough. I’m uneducated in politics, Russian history, and general philosophy so that this book is a bit hard to read. However, the moments that I was able to grasp and truly understand were wonderful. It is well written and the characters feel so real— they think and talk and love and fight like real people do. If you are up for the challenge and the length, it is worth the read (or listen).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Parts with Anna: 4/5
Parts with Levin: 1.5/5
This is an objectively well-written, thoughtful, and complex novel and I do understand both the timelessness and the hype. I also know that there’s something to be said for the literary merit of books with large casts where each character plays a role in communicating the themes of the story. That being said: I cannot stand Levin. He’s a shameless self-insert and I resent that he contributed to the plot. On a less biased note I didn’t find the storyline with him as compelling as the storyline with Anna– I know from a literary analysis perspective his relationship is meant to parallel Anna’s, but that doesn’t mean I liked reading about it. For a book titled Anna Karenina it felt like the Levin show a lot of the time…
All that aside, this book was a genuinely poignant sketch of complicated emotions, societal hypocrisy, and moral shades of gray. I am glad I read it, even though it was challenging at times. Some interesting pacing decisions were made but there’s a plethora of haunting quotes and scenes to make up for that.
In conclusion: God bless Sophia Tolstoy, I’m so sorry your husband probably plagiarized your diaries to write this, but the parts it looked like he lifted verbatim were some of the best 🙏🏻
Parts with Levin: 1.5/5
This is an objectively well-written, thoughtful, and complex novel and I do understand both the timelessness and the hype. I also know that there’s something to be said for the literary merit of books with large casts where each character plays a role in communicating the themes of the story. That being said: I cannot stand Levin. He’s a shameless self-insert and I resent that he contributed to the plot. On a less biased note I didn’t find the storyline with him as compelling as the storyline with Anna– I know from a literary analysis perspective his relationship is meant to parallel Anna’s, but that doesn’t mean I liked reading about it. For a book titled Anna Karenina it felt like the Levin show a lot of the time…
All that aside, this book was a genuinely poignant sketch of complicated emotions, societal hypocrisy, and moral shades of gray. I am glad I read it, even though it was challenging at times. Some interesting pacing decisions were made but there’s a plethora of haunting quotes and scenes to make up for that.
In conclusion: God bless Sophia Tolstoy, I’m so sorry your husband probably plagiarized your diaries to write this, but the parts it looked like he lifted verbatim were some of the best 🙏🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide attempt
Minor: Infidelity
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Racism, War
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My final review of Anna Karenina is merely a contemptuous smile and my recurring thought that this would be significantly improved by cutting it in half, at least.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Infidelity
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautifully written story about Russian nobility in the 19th century, specifically the lives of Anna Karenina and Konstantin Levin as foils of each other. Tolstoy conveys strong themes of morality, life and death, class, gender and love. From a modern Western context, many of the conflicts in the story can seem quite unnecessary but with an open mind the characters; their feelings and reactions to the events throughout the book is quite touching. I really recommend this for sure!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Grief, Pregnancy, Classism
Minor: Racism, Sexism, War
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Racial slurs, War, Classism
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Characters – 8/10
While Tolstoy’s characters are undeniably rich and complex, not all of them are equally compelling. Anna is one of the most vividly drawn characters in literature, but her descent into paranoia, while believable, sometimes feels overly dramatized in a way that makes her less sympathetic. Levin, though fascinating in his philosophical struggles, dominates large sections of the book in a way that can feel indulgent. Vronsky lacks depth compared to Anna; his character arc is far less compelling, making his motivations frustratingly vague at times. Secondary characters, while well-developed, sometimes feel like they exist to serve thematic contrasts rather than as fully independent individuals.
While Tolstoy’s characters are undeniably rich and complex, not all of them are equally compelling. Anna is one of the most vividly drawn characters in literature, but her descent into paranoia, while believable, sometimes feels overly dramatized in a way that makes her less sympathetic. Levin, though fascinating in his philosophical struggles, dominates large sections of the book in a way that can feel indulgent. Vronsky lacks depth compared to Anna; his character arc is far less compelling, making his motivations frustratingly vague at times. Secondary characters, while well-developed, sometimes feel like they exist to serve thematic contrasts rather than as fully independent individuals.
Atmosphere/Setting – 9/10
Tolstoy’s ability to capture the essence of 19th-century Russia is nearly unmatched, but at times, his meticulous descriptions slow the momentum of the narrative. The contrast between city and countryside is striking, but there are moments when the societal critiques feel repetitive. While the novel immerses me in its world, it occasionally overindulges in the minutiae of its setting, particularly in Levin’s agricultural and political musings, which can feel like a digression rather than a necessary part of the story.
Tolstoy’s ability to capture the essence of 19th-century Russia is nearly unmatched, but at times, his meticulous descriptions slow the momentum of the narrative. The contrast between city and countryside is striking, but there are moments when the societal critiques feel repetitive. While the novel immerses me in its world, it occasionally overindulges in the minutiae of its setting, particularly in Levin’s agricultural and political musings, which can feel like a digression rather than a necessary part of the story.
Writing Style – 8/10
Tolstoy’s prose is masterful, but it can also be laborious. His ability to capture human emotion and psychology is extraordinary, but he often takes the long road to get there. Some sections feel overwritten, with excessive philosophical digressions that stall the plot rather than enhance it. His balance between narration and dialogue is usually effective, but certain scenes, especially those involving political discourse or agricultural reforms, read more like essays than elements of a novel. While the writing is undoubtedly beautiful, it demands patience and effort, which can make it a challenging read rather than an enjoyable one at times.
Tolstoy’s prose is masterful, but it can also be laborious. His ability to capture human emotion and psychology is extraordinary, but he often takes the long road to get there. Some sections feel overwritten, with excessive philosophical digressions that stall the plot rather than enhance it. His balance between narration and dialogue is usually effective, but certain scenes, especially those involving political discourse or agricultural reforms, read more like essays than elements of a novel. While the writing is undoubtedly beautiful, it demands patience and effort, which can make it a challenging read rather than an enjoyable one at times.
Plot – 7/10
The dual narratives of Anna and Levin provide an interesting contrast, but they don’t always feel equally engaging. Anna’s arc is gripping, but the novel lingers on her downfall for so long that the inevitability of it can feel like a slog. Levin’s story, while thematically rich, is often bogged down by excessive philosophical ruminations that slow the momentum. The pacing is inconsistent—some sections fly by with emotional intensity, while others drag with unnecessary detail. The novel also lacks strong twists or surprises; its greatest moments come from emotional revelations rather than plot developments, which can make it feel predictable in a way that diminishes its impact.
The dual narratives of Anna and Levin provide an interesting contrast, but they don’t always feel equally engaging. Anna’s arc is gripping, but the novel lingers on her downfall for so long that the inevitability of it can feel like a slog. Levin’s story, while thematically rich, is often bogged down by excessive philosophical ruminations that slow the momentum. The pacing is inconsistent—some sections fly by with emotional intensity, while others drag with unnecessary detail. The novel also lacks strong twists or surprises; its greatest moments come from emotional revelations rather than plot developments, which can make it feel predictable in a way that diminishes its impact.
Intrigue – 7/10
There were moments when I found myself deeply engaged, but also sections that felt like a chore to get through. Anna’s story, particularly in the early and middle sections, is absorbing, but once her situation becomes increasingly dire, it starts to feel repetitive rather than fresh. Levin’s storyline, while intriguing in a more meditative way, often slows the momentum to a crawl. The novel held my attention overall, but there were definitely stretches where I had to push myself to keep going.
There were moments when I found myself deeply engaged, but also sections that felt like a chore to get through. Anna’s story, particularly in the early and middle sections, is absorbing, but once her situation becomes increasingly dire, it starts to feel repetitive rather than fresh. Levin’s storyline, while intriguing in a more meditative way, often slows the momentum to a crawl. The novel held my attention overall, but there were definitely stretches where I had to push myself to keep going.
Logic/Relationships – 9/10
Tolstoy excels at crafting relationships that feel real and deeply human. Anna and Vronsky’s romance, though passionate, is also marked by miscommunication, jealousy, and self-destruction in a way that rings true. Levin and Kitty’s relationship is more stable but not idealized, which adds to its realism. The only issue is that some characters, particularly Vronsky and Karenin, can feel more like thematic tools than fully fleshed-out individuals, making their relationships with Anna feel a little hollow in comparison to Levin and Kitty’s. Despite that, the world-building is impeccable, and the societal constraints imposed on each character feel authentic and unforced.
Tolstoy excels at crafting relationships that feel real and deeply human. Anna and Vronsky’s romance, though passionate, is also marked by miscommunication, jealousy, and self-destruction in a way that rings true. Levin and Kitty’s relationship is more stable but not idealized, which adds to its realism. The only issue is that some characters, particularly Vronsky and Karenin, can feel more like thematic tools than fully fleshed-out individuals, making their relationships with Anna feel a little hollow in comparison to Levin and Kitty’s. Despite that, the world-building is impeccable, and the societal constraints imposed on each character feel authentic and unforced.
Enjoyment – 7/10
While I appreciated Anna Karenina as a masterpiece of literature, I didn’t always enjoy reading it. The philosophical digressions, slow pacing in certain sections, and heavy-handed moralizing detracted from the emotional power of the novel at times. The book’s length also makes it a demanding read that requires patience. While I would recommend it to someone interested in Russian literature or psychological depth, I wouldn’t call it an enjoyable novel in the traditional sense. It’s rewarding, but not necessarily pleasurable, which makes it a book I admire more than I love.
While I appreciated Anna Karenina as a masterpiece of literature, I didn’t always enjoy reading it. The philosophical digressions, slow pacing in certain sections, and heavy-handed moralizing detracted from the emotional power of the novel at times. The book’s length also makes it a demanding read that requires patience. While I would recommend it to someone interested in Russian literature or psychological depth, I wouldn’t call it an enjoyable novel in the traditional sense. It’s rewarding, but not necessarily pleasurable, which makes it a book I admire more than I love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicide
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Physical abuse, Racism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Anna Karenina explores the psychological torment of its protagonist in depth, including themes of social ostracization, depression, and paranoia leading to suicide. The book also portrays intense emotional and mental struggles, toxic relationships, and the rigid gender roles of 19th-century Russian society. While there is no explicit sexual violence, issues of power imbalance, emotional manipulation, and the consequences of infidelity are central to the narrative. The novel does not shy away from the dark realities of its time, making it an emotionally intense and sometimes distressing read.