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aristotleface 's review for:
Anna Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy
Whoa. I was definitely in the right head space to enjoy this book, but honestly I think I'm always up for Russian literature. Those Russians never hold back. I read the public domain kindle edition and it was very readable, though looking at other translations, they seem even more enjoyable. But this one was FREE. so that's a plus.
Big takeaway: The GODDAMN PATRIARCHY! right? The goddamn patriarchy is a runaway train, and Anna was just Leaning In. She was ahead of her time. The original Sheryl Sandberg.
I'm sure Tolstoy meant for Levin to be everyone's favorite character, because he clearly modeled him after himself. And usually I would go for the brooding, socially awkward protagonist, but this time NO. Anna is my favorite. She got booted off set way too soon. Maybe she would have come to some philosophical truths and the key to personal happiness, too, if she had the LUXURY of being able to brood and think and hole up in the country shooting grouse as she pleased. But no, she had to scheme out ways to visit her own son on his birthday and occupy her time after being completely shunned by nearly every human, even the one who claimed to love her. She was smart enough. She probably would've come up with the key to happiness long before Levin, while entertaining visiting dignitaries, and designing a high-tech school for peasants. If she had simply been allowed to get hers, like her brother Stiva had been. Honestly, how much has changed?
Team Anna.
Big takeaway: The GODDAMN PATRIARCHY! right? The goddamn patriarchy is a runaway train, and Anna was just Leaning In. She was ahead of her time. The original Sheryl Sandberg.
I'm sure Tolstoy meant for Levin to be everyone's favorite character, because he clearly modeled him after himself. And usually I would go for the brooding, socially awkward protagonist, but this time NO. Anna is my favorite. She got booted off set way too soon. Maybe she would have come to some philosophical truths and the key to personal happiness, too, if she had the LUXURY of being able to brood and think and hole up in the country shooting grouse as she pleased. But no, she had to scheme out ways to visit her own son on his birthday and occupy her time after being completely shunned by nearly every human, even the one who claimed to love her. She was smart enough. She probably would've come up with the key to happiness long before Levin, while entertaining visiting dignitaries, and designing a high-tech school for peasants. If she had simply been allowed to get hers, like her brother Stiva had been. Honestly, how much has changed?
Team Anna.