dboc_99's Full Review: Leo Tolstoy - Anna Karenina: Easyread Super Large ...
In Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina we are given two main stories that occupy the reader for 800 pages. The first is the story of Anna and her search for love and fulfillment with her husband and lover. The second is the drama of Constantine Levin who is troubled with questions of the meaning of life. He wants to feel secure in his existence, but cannot reason his place in the world. These two dramas are played out, complete with other well- developed characters to their fantastic conclusions at the end of the book. Also explored are issues of social justice, class and obligation to family. In fact, this book has got a heck of a lot going on in it.
The first drama is that of Anna, married with one child to a government officer. Anna's husband, Karenin is very preoccupied with being noble at the expense of a loving marriage. He expects Anna to conduct herself without desire, without complaint and to do so because it is what a wife should do as her role. He finds no sympathy for any of Anna's longings and takes no time to get to know her as a person. In fact, he is quite incapable of sympathy and is therefore a sad character. Just when things are getting unbearable, along comes the charming, young, handsome Alexy Voronsky. He is beauty in a man. He is dashing, respected and all of the rest of society in Moscow thinks it wonderful that Anna should take him as a lover. And she does. And he really seems to love her. This, as I mentioned is approved by society, but society has its limits of what it will accept as Anna finds out in the end.
The second drama is that of Constantine Levin who is a proud and giving young man trying to find his place in the world. He is a farmer, a progressive and really hates Moscow society. He doesn't fit in, doesn't want to fit in and only does so he can court Kitty. She will later become his love interest in the book. Levin is probably the most likeable man in the book, but he tortures himself with questions of life rather than just living it. He story is painful and long. He endures much suffering by his own choices, but comes out a changed man. In the end, he comes to a peaceful truce with life. It is really awesome and my favorite part of the book.
Along the way Tolstoy examines themes of social justice, class, morality, family, Christianity and progressive thought. In addition, the book takes a look at the crumbling social structure that these bankrupt Russian nobles are trying to keep together. There are parallels to what happened to the nobles in England. I can't get into all of this.
This book is excellent. It took me some time to read it and reflect on it, but I highly recommend it.
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