A review by duskisses
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

the absence of a chekhov’s gun in levin’s crisis between atheism and faith feels like a significant flaw, especially since it’s placed at the novel’s climax. he wrestles with these ideas, trying to reconcile them rationally and integrate his newfound spiritual awakening into his character, but the moment lacks the weight it should have. still, his reflections on belief work well as a standalone philosophical commentary, something that invites rereading.

the sections that break up anna’s and levin’s core stories can feel unnecessary at times, but they serve as a buffer between two narratives that are worlds apart in how they handle logic and emotion. in truth, alexei and anna are the real opposites in this regard, and it’s this divide that leads to their downfall. anna’s final stream of consciousness is devastating, one of the most haunting and beautifully written passages in literature. levin, by contrast, stays balanced, allowing him to navigate his life as a friend, husband, employer, advocate, and thinker—maybe showing that this kind of balance is what it takes to live a good life.