A review by balberry
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was completely all-encompassing. If you think it’s just a period romance, you're missing out. There were sections where the discussions on agriculture and local politics dragged a bit (I had to look up a lot of footnotes), but overall, this book is a work of art. It explores every possible way someone can love, be loved, get hurt, and grieve, detailing the parts of love, pain, and personal growth. There’s everything from courtship and enduring marriage to motherhood, family bonds, betrayal, jealousy, and death. The characters’ inner struggles with mental health and spirituality make the story even more powerful. It’s not just about personal relationships – the book also tackles big themes like existentialism, socialism, democracy, paternalistic government, education reform, and wealth inequality. Reading this wasn’t easy, it demanded full engagement. There were times I wanted to keep reading, but my eyes couldn't keep up, the effort was worth it. This book makes you feel every emotion and really pulls you in. It's a classic for a reason, and I understand why it has such a revered place in literary history. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for THAT book.