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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
10 years later and I finally finished this book. I guess that’s my review.
Many parallels can be drawn between Anna and Levin’s characters - both have trouble in their romantic relationships, and undergo existentialism in their own ways. Anna is faced with a midlife crisis, unable to bear Russian norms and the status quo, and ultimately forgoesher life of privilege to one where she is castrated evermore. She leaves her life with Karenin for one with Vronsky who as she finally admits toward the end, only ever pursued her for his own pride and ego. Levin struggles with his love for Kitty, and once this is settled, is pained with struggling to understand the meaning of life and what it leads to. Whilst Anna is on a downward spiral, Levin makes peace with himself and is able to find meaning in life that suits him most.
Something to also note is that a lot of emphasis is placed on Levin's character, despite the book being named Anna Karenina. Levin is said to be based on Tolstoy himself, and so reading whilst knowing this is enriching as you begin to understand why the book focuses on Levin so much.
This is all very interesting to read, but like many other readers I found that some chapters were not important to the overall story - namely on farming and religion. However, I understand that at its time of release, Tolstoy’s political and philosophical tangents would have been received with more intrigue and I can imagine, regarded with more importance and revere, so I can appreciate it more from that perspective.
Favourite chapter in the whole book was Part 7 Chapter 22 with Lauder, Karenin and Countess Lydia booting Oblonsky from their house.
Something to also note is that a lot of emphasis is placed on Levin's character, despite the book being named Anna Karenina. Levin is said to be based on Tolstoy himself, and so reading whilst knowing this is enriching as you begin to understand why the book focuses on Levin so much.
This is all very interesting to read, but like many other readers I found that some chapters were not important to the overall story - namely on farming and religion. However, I understand that at its time of release, Tolstoy’s political and philosophical tangents would have been received with more intrigue and I can imagine, regarded with more importance and revere, so I can appreciate it more from that perspective.
Favourite chapter in the whole book was Part 7 Chapter 22 with Lauder, Karenin and Countess Lydia booting Oblonsky from their house.
I can understand why this book is considered a literary masterpiece. It covers just about everything that was relevant in pre-socialist Russia and today - fear of death, social classes (peasants, aristocrats…), politics, religion and agriculture. Everything. Whilst some of these concepts reign eternal and timeless, there were a few tangents about agriculture and politics that was not as riveting to read. However, I believe that these tangents are still integral to the book as they embed Tolstoy’s ideas and opinions about what was relevant and important at the time, providing an extensive lens into pre-socialist Russia.
Anna Karenina is such a brilliant character - selfish, with narcissistic tendencies and incredibly alluring. On the surface, her death is selfish and is of childish means to teach Vronsky a lesson, but it is more than that. It is the result of her mental turmoil that was exacerbated by the unfair judgement of her peers. Why did she receive the short end of the stick when Vronsky was also guilty and even her own brother, Oblonsky, with affairs of his own (and a repeat offender)? Double standards at its simplest, purest form.
The main message I got from this book was of truths. Truth is the most powerful message in this book for me - the truthful and honest nature of Kitty and Levin’s relationship is what prevailed over Anna and Vronsky’s. Truth is what made hypocritical and contradictory character’s like Madame Stahl, appear as sinister and false. I will end this with Levin finally finding his truth at the end of this book:
The main message I got from this book was of truths. Truth is the most powerful message in this book for me - the truthful and honest nature of Kitty and Levin’s relationship is what prevailed over Anna and Vronsky’s. Truth is what made hypocritical and contradictory character’s like Madame Stahl, appear as sinister and false. I will end this with Levin finally finding his truth at the end of this book:
my life…every moment of it no longer meaningless as it was before, but has an unquestionable meaning of goodness with which I have the power to invest it.
Increíble. Es un librazo, aunque yo no lo hubiera titulado Anna Karenina.
De las mejores lecturas del año.
De las mejores lecturas del año.
challenging
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
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Moral of the story: happiness is less about the circumstances of our lives and more about the perspective. the grass always seems greener.
Why I like this book:
It’s a dimensional and complex portrayal of human relationships.
Why I like this book:
It’s a dimensional and complex portrayal of human relationships.
I finally finished this after taking several breaks to read other books (it's wonderful, but very long). I love the depth and detail with which Tolstoy lingers on human emotions over the course of an ordinary day or during a peak experience like one's wedding or the birth of a first child.