A review by setonai
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

slow-paced

4.0

 

Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is a sweeping novel that intricately weaves the lives of its tragic titular heroine, Anna, alongside Alexei Vronsky and Konstantin Levin. Shifting between multiple points of view, the novel offers deep psychological insight not only into its main characters but also into secondary figures such as Stiva Oblonsky, Kitty Scherbatsky, and Alexei Karenin. 

At its core, Anna Karenina explores themes of passion versus duty, the joys and struggles of family life, the complexity of human emotions, and the rigid expectations placed upon women in 19th-century Russian society. Tolstoy’s dual narrative structure juxtaposes Anna’s doomed pursuit of love and independence with Levin’s philosophical and agricultural journey. However, as the novel progresses, Anna’s storyline fades, allowing Levin to take center stage. His dismissive attitude toward Kitty—reprimanding her for taking their child into the woods without his consent—reinforces the notion that a father’s judgment outweighs a mother’s. Additionally, Levin’s religious enlightenment remains a solitary experience, one he deliberately withholds from his wife, assuming she would not comprehend it. No female character in the novel experiences similar philosophical awakenings; instead, their lives are shaped by domestic responsibilities and motherhood. Even Anna, despite the depth with which Tolstoy portrays her struggles, is ultimately reduced to an object of condemnation. The novel’s final word on Anna is left to Countess Vronsky, who dismisses her as lowly and mean—a sentiment left unchallenged, as if Tolstoy himself condemns her pursuit of passion and autonomy despite previously inviting readers to sympathize with her plight. 

Despite being written in the 19th century, Anna Karenina remains strikingly relevant. One particularly compelling parallel can be drawn from Levin’s efforts to uplift impoverished farmers trapped in a cycle of debt. His attempts to educate them and introduce more efficient agricultural techniques reflect modern struggles faced by farmers today. Even with opportunities for progress, many farmers prioritize working the land and repaying debts over investing in education and innovation, highlighting the ongoing challenges of financial hardship in rural communities. 

Overall, Anna Karenina is a masterfully written novel that offers a profound meditation on love, morality, and societal constraints. While its treatment of female autonomy may leave contemporary readers conflicted, its insights into human nature and social inequality remain timeless. 4 out of 5 stars.