Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by ilaria91
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Anna Karenina has been on my reading list for years, and I was excited to finally pick it up. The opening hooked me right away — the famous first line is beautiful — and I really enjoyed the first third of the novel, meeting the characters and watching the plotlines take shape.
Written in 1878, it’s a sweeping portrait of Russian society, blending personal drama with politics, philosophy, and social commentary. I can see why it’s considered a masterpiece: Tolstoy captures his world vividly and writes with undeniable skill.
That said, my reading experience was mixed. The first two-thirds kept me engaged, but by the final stretch, I struggled. The digressions into agriculture, politics, and religion often felt like they stalled the plot. In the last section, Levin’s long meditations on faith were particularly heavy for me, and I found myself skimming — something I rarely do. Personally, I feel that a few hundred pages could have been cut without harming the main story.
When it comes to the characters, I admired the realism but couldn’t warm to any of them. Anna begins as a fascinating, strong-willed figure, and I wanted to root for her — yet by the end, I found her increasingly difficult to follow. Levin, although clearly important to Tolstoy’s vision, never captured my interest, and Kitty, Dolly, Vronsky, and the rest each had moments that felt either flat or frustrating. I understand that these portrayals reflect the constraints, values, and flaws of 19th-century society, but by modern standards, many relationships read as deeply toxic.
Despite my struggles, I’m glad I read Anna Karenina. It’s richly layered, historically insightful, and full of moments that stay with you. For me, it was also a demanding, sometimes exhausting experience — one I probably won’t revisit, but will remember for the journey it was.
Written in 1878, it’s a sweeping portrait of Russian society, blending personal drama with politics, philosophy, and social commentary. I can see why it’s considered a masterpiece: Tolstoy captures his world vividly and writes with undeniable skill.
That said, my reading experience was mixed. The first two-thirds kept me engaged, but by the final stretch, I struggled. The digressions into agriculture, politics, and religion often felt like they stalled the plot. In the last section, Levin’s long meditations on faith were particularly heavy for me, and I found myself skimming — something I rarely do. Personally, I feel that a few hundred pages could have been cut without harming the main story.
When it comes to the characters, I admired the realism but couldn’t warm to any of them. Anna begins as a fascinating, strong-willed figure, and I wanted to root for her — yet by the end, I found her increasingly difficult to follow. Levin, although clearly important to Tolstoy’s vision, never captured my interest, and Kitty, Dolly, Vronsky, and the rest each had moments that felt either flat or frustrating. I understand that these portrayals reflect the constraints, values, and flaws of 19th-century society, but by modern standards, many relationships read as deeply toxic.
Despite my struggles, I’m glad I read Anna Karenina. It’s richly layered, historically insightful, and full of moments that stay with you. For me, it was also a demanding, sometimes exhausting experience — one I probably won’t revisit, but will remember for the journey it was.