A review by villagebi
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

emotional funny sad medium-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

5.0

Wow. I did not know what I was getting into when I started this book. I somehow dodged all spoilers, knew nothing of the plot, and just dove in, not realizing the commitment I was making. I probably dedicated a couple of hours each day for an entire month to making sure I finished this book. And it was worth it. This book is a reflection of life. It genuinely felt like I was being kept up-to-date with russian noble gossip. I loved, hated, and then once again loved both the characters and the book. It definitely drags at times so it’s really hard to define the pace of the book. The fast parts go REALLY fast and the slow parts drag on FOREVER.

Finding out the the movie ends two whole parts before the book ends was not even a surprise. If it weren’t for Levin’s entire religious reflection, I would have finished like a week earlier. Anna Karenina is the most frustrating yet lovable character I’ve ever read. Like the girl really doesn’t to herself but it sucks! Because if she lived in modern society she wouldn’t have been ousted!! She wouldn’t have committed suicide!! To be honest, at times it felt like a commentary on EVERYTHING. Society, women’s rights, religion, politics, art. I mean, I guess you can fit all of that into this monster of a book.

Anyways, Im fucking exhausted. I’m gonna read a TON of short novels now before I delve into anything quite as long.