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A review by lachiemorris
Anna Karenin by Leo Tolstoy
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My favourite Tolstoy work so far. Insightful in its reflective nature on life and love, while also giving a pretty decent plot to get invested in. Characters were well fleshed out, even the small side characters. I particularly enjoyed the last two parts, in comparison to the rest.
A small gripe I had was that I found it odd that the title was Anna Karenina, when the book was much more than that. Often times it would divulge into a 100-page chunk where the titular character wasn't mentioned or seen. But again it's a minute gripe.
For my dislikes, I found it rather annoying when Tolstoy decides to spend 8 chapters on a character mowing with a scythe, or when he finds it imperative to the plot to explain things that in no way shape or form should be mentioned. Along with this, I find at times he halts the plot to explain his own views on things through his characters. When its intriguing I don't mind, but when its not its painstakingly obvious and at times a slog. And for this reason I found the first half to be often times slow, as characters are being shown to the reader through their views. For these reasons it isn't a 5 star.
With Anna's death, I found this part to be the strongest part of the novel. Throughout the book her emotions are palpable and honest for someone with her clear mental illnesses. Her depression is written insanely well, and her 'insanity' is done rather strikingly. I must commend Tolstoy for this in particular.
A small gripe I had was that I found it odd that the title was Anna Karenina, when the book was much more than that. Often times it would divulge into a 100-page chunk where the titular character wasn't mentioned or seen. But again it's a minute gripe.
For my dislikes, I found it rather annoying when Tolstoy decides to spend 8 chapters on a character mowing with a scythe, or when he finds it imperative to the plot to explain things that in no way shape or form should be mentioned. Along with this, I find at times he halts the plot to explain his own views on things through his characters. When its intriguing I don't mind, but when its not its painstakingly obvious and at times a slog. And for this reason I found the first half to be often times slow, as characters are being shown to the reader through their views. For these reasons it isn't a 5 star.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide