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A review by evas_book_reviews
Anna Karenina by Nina Berberova, Leo Tolstoy
5.0
Anna Karenina is considered one of the greatest works of literature and I can comprehend why this fascinating work of fiction is so beloved and celebrated around the globe. Beautiful writing, realistic and emotionally relatable characters, a dramatic plot and a wonderfully fascinating setting, Anna Karenina has it all from a literary perspective.
One of the main flaws of this novel is its name. While Anna is one of the main characters and does hold a lot of significance, the story does not completely centre around her and there are other leading characters, thus the name is somewhat misleading. However, this slight issue is not enough to tarnish a reader's enjoyment, it only provides a slightly false impression to the potential reader.
This novel's language and writing are brilliant and beautiful in all its descriptions and dialogue. The edition I read had no evident translation faults, contrary to Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment which, despite being well-written, was flawed in its translation. This may be due to the popularity of Anna Karenina worldwide and Tolstoy’s fame in general, or perhaps this is just luck in the face of the edition and translator.
The characters of this novel are full of emotions and like real people are extremely flawed and aware of their flaws. The reactions and expressions of all characters felt very realistic which improves the relatablity of the characters to their audience. Despite the number of characters who are explored in depth, each is well-written, different, and does not lack in personality. While some audience members may prefer one over another, they have all the potential of real people. There are many characters that have great significance to the book but I will only discuss a few in further detail.
Anna is a very intriguing character from the beginning of the novel and her expressions, beliefs, emotions and actions draw the reader in, making it very easy to like her. Although her actions are not relatable to everyone, she is still loveable, even when participating in questionable actions. Tolstoy has consciously made her loveable to us in a similar way as she is to the people around her in the novel. She is so beautiful and charming she can seduce anyone, everyone believes she is splendid but her insecurities and constant need for love and reassurance are her downfall.
Count Vronsky on the other hand came across to me as very unlikeable in the beginning, and while this may be intentional, I found it hard to like him as a character for a great deal of the novel. Tolstoy may have done this in order to heighten the love of Anna in his audience so that readers may find themselves excusing her actions and conflicting over whether her actions or Vronsky’s are more morally correct at certain points of the novel. In time the audience may come to pity and almost love Vronsky for his gallant efforts to love and be loved by Anna, and the end of the novel evokes pity for him.
My favourite character was Konstantin Levin, he is well-meaning from the beginning and for me the most relatable. He represents those who wish to do what is right but cannot settle on what that is and despite loving many people, despise social interactions and formalities. Levin is hard-working and although he is laughed at, he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. I think Levin is intentionally a very loveable character and so is Kitty, whom he deeply loves. They are both flawed and the audience can witness their flaws separately and together and how they impact their bond, yet despite their flaws they are stronger together and continue to be well-meaning people.
The plot of this novel is very fascinating, while it moves slower than many contemporary novels, and thus may be difficult for some readers, not accustomed to classical literature, to read, it is packed with drama. The pace is reflective of the time and aids in drawing the reader into Tolstoy’s world. I adore reading classics that are set in the time they are written as they teleport the reader into the period and provide an interesting and different perspective. The characters feel as though they are brought straight from 19th-century Russia and aid in establishing the world.
Tolstoy is attempting to comment on many discussions and issues of the time through his work and while some are still relevant to the current world and audience, some are less so. Anna and Vronsky’s relationship is doomed from the start as their love is clearly born of negative emotions and has no solid foundation. Levin struggles with his faith and in the last chapter resolves his issues and uncovers his own identity in ways he has not previously considered. Whether Tolstoy’s implications are relevant or not, the world and story are brilliant and I am sure any classic reader would greatly enjoy this piece.
One of the main flaws of this novel is its name. While Anna is one of the main characters and does hold a lot of significance, the story does not completely centre around her and there are other leading characters, thus the name is somewhat misleading. However, this slight issue is not enough to tarnish a reader's enjoyment, it only provides a slightly false impression to the potential reader.
This novel's language and writing are brilliant and beautiful in all its descriptions and dialogue. The edition I read had no evident translation faults, contrary to Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment which, despite being well-written, was flawed in its translation. This may be due to the popularity of Anna Karenina worldwide and Tolstoy’s fame in general, or perhaps this is just luck in the face of the edition and translator.
The characters of this novel are full of emotions and like real people are extremely flawed and aware of their flaws. The reactions and expressions of all characters felt very realistic which improves the relatablity of the characters to their audience. Despite the number of characters who are explored in depth, each is well-written, different, and does not lack in personality. While some audience members may prefer one over another, they have all the potential of real people. There are many characters that have great significance to the book but I will only discuss a few in further detail.
Anna is a very intriguing character from the beginning of the novel and her expressions, beliefs, emotions and actions draw the reader in, making it very easy to like her. Although her actions are not relatable to everyone, she is still loveable, even when participating in questionable actions. Tolstoy has consciously made her loveable to us in a similar way as she is to the people around her in the novel. She is so beautiful and charming she can seduce anyone, everyone believes she is splendid but her insecurities and constant need for love and reassurance are her downfall.
Count Vronsky on the other hand came across to me as very unlikeable in the beginning, and while this may be intentional, I found it hard to like him as a character for a great deal of the novel. Tolstoy may have done this in order to heighten the love of Anna in his audience so that readers may find themselves excusing her actions and conflicting over whether her actions or Vronsky’s are more morally correct at certain points of the novel. In time the audience may come to pity and almost love Vronsky for his gallant efforts to love and be loved by Anna, and the end of the novel evokes pity for him.
My favourite character was Konstantin Levin, he is well-meaning from the beginning and for me the most relatable. He represents those who wish to do what is right but cannot settle on what that is and despite loving many people, despise social interactions and formalities. Levin is hard-working and although he is laughed at, he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. I think Levin is intentionally a very loveable character and so is Kitty, whom he deeply loves. They are both flawed and the audience can witness their flaws separately and together and how they impact their bond, yet despite their flaws they are stronger together and continue to be well-meaning people.
The plot of this novel is very fascinating, while it moves slower than many contemporary novels, and thus may be difficult for some readers, not accustomed to classical literature, to read, it is packed with drama. The pace is reflective of the time and aids in drawing the reader into Tolstoy’s world. I adore reading classics that are set in the time they are written as they teleport the reader into the period and provide an interesting and different perspective. The characters feel as though they are brought straight from 19th-century Russia and aid in establishing the world.
Tolstoy is attempting to comment on many discussions and issues of the time through his work and while some are still relevant to the current world and audience, some are less so. Anna and Vronsky’s relationship is doomed from the start as their love is clearly born of negative emotions and has no solid foundation. Levin struggles with his faith and in the last chapter resolves his issues and uncovers his own identity in ways he has not previously considered. Whether Tolstoy’s implications are relevant or not, the world and story are brilliant and I am sure any classic reader would greatly enjoy this piece.