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A review by its_naman
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Going into this book, I thought it's going to be one of those unconventional-lovers-fight-the-society-for-their-love-and-conquer-all kind of stories. Well, it was like this, but only upto a certain extent.
Anna and Vronsky DID fight for each other, but slowly they grow tired and instead fight with each other. I found relationship's downfall to be the most realistic aspect in the entire story .
And don't let the name of the book befool you. I'm actually surprised that this is called Anna Karenina and not Anna Karenina, Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin and others. This story involves a LOT of people, especially Levin, who doesn't feel like a side character at all.In fact, I believe he's actually there to provide a contrast to Anna's life...? He gives up the hope of marriage, but finally manages to get Kitty, has a conventional marriage which turns out to be a success despite initial struggles, unlike Anna's, whose newfound love didn't seem to last very long. He also has a starkly different ending turning into a faithful, happy Christian in contrast to Anna who dies a ehm.. 'sinner'.
Now, to the most disappointing part - Anna's death. This was such a letdown for me. When you spend so much time reading about the titular character, following their story, empathizing with them despite knowing what they did is, in some way, wrong, you expect their death is going to be heart wrenching. But that was not the case, atleast for me. After her death, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the news to reach Vronsky, waiting for how he'll react, waiting how others will take it. But instead, immediately after, I had to read like 10 pages about Levin's stupid brother's book who I cared nothing about.
The part where Sergey (Levin's brother) meets Vronsky was excellent, though. I wished for more closure, but I'm satisfied with what I got.
And then, we cut to Levin who, for the life of him, can't get himself to believe God. And for the next several chapters we follow him unexpectedly gaining it. Well enough. But I think ending the story on a hopeful note with Levin kinda ruined the impact of Anna's death for me. In fact, it felt like there was no impact whatsoever.
So, was reading this almost 1000 pages long book which took me a month to finish and set me behind my reading goal by almost 3 books worth it? I'll say it was. I may be disappointed in the ending, but I love how Tolstoy handled the characters, how he made me sympathize with an 'immoral woman', how he managed to present the complexities of a relationship so well. Go read it if you're patient enough.
And don't let the name of the book befool you. I'm actually surprised that this is called Anna Karenina and not Anna Karenina, Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin and others. This story involves a LOT of people, especially Levin, who doesn't feel like a side character at all.
The part where Sergey (Levin's brother) meets Vronsky was excellent, though. I wished for more closure, but I'm satisfied with what I got.
And then, we cut to Levin who, for the life of him, can't get himself to believe God. And for the next several chapters we follow him unexpectedly gaining it. Well enough. But I think ending the story on a hopeful note with Levin kinda ruined the impact of Anna's death for me. In fact, it felt like there was no impact whatsoever.
So, was reading this almost 1000 pages long book which took me a month to finish and set me behind my reading goal by almost 3 books worth it? I'll say it was. I may be disappointed in the ending, but I love how Tolstoy handled the characters, how he made me sympathize with an 'immoral woman', how he managed to present the complexities of a relationship so well. Go read it if you're patient enough.