lailaology 's review for:

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

3.75

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Whilst I have greatly enjoyed "Anna Karenina" [1878], with Tolstoy's expertise of societal structures, complex relationships, and political exploration being some of the most intriguing features of the novel, there were still some glaring issues which caused much discontentment in my reading process; most noticeably, the novel's editing (or lack thereof). Throughout the course of the eight-part novel [Part Five being my personal favourite], I realised there were many chapters that could have been removed and nothing significant would have changed. Many of the more meandering scenes that either detailed an arguably unneeded philosophical debate or contemporary [19th Century Russian] social issues/historical events, that whilst truly interesting to read, became so overdone. So much so that certain sections of the novel (most often Levin's Farm) felt more like a trial than a treat! 

Overall, I think I have learnt more about Russian Agriculture than I would have ever imagined...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship

Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol

Minor: Addiction, Racial slurs, Blood, Medical content

This book is obviously a product of its time and era, written by a Christian-Pacifist [Anarchist] in 1870s Russia. There will be ideologies and characters that some may find regressive or even insulting. However, Tolstoy was still a master of his craft (although it must be stated that he had a lot of help from his wife and others x) and should be appreciated appropriately...