carolinebl 's review for:

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

challenging dark emotional funny reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I can’t believe the cover is of a train track; that’s out of line. Poor Anna.

Tolstoy’s characters are remarkably complex. For nearly 900 pages we are absorbed into the inner workings of their lives, the mundane and the scandalous.

I appreciate the note of hope after such a depressing ending for others. I do wish we could have seen more of other perspectives, though Levin’s brought the story to a firm conclusion.

I see why this is lauded as the great work of realist fiction; I won’t forget this story. Unhappy families are still unhappy, but I’m glad we have more choices now.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt