Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina- This is definitely not a book that can be read over a cup of coffee on a rainy day sitting in the porch. There is much more to the novel other than just the romantic elements. The concept of the novel dances right in front of our eyes and though it is hard for us to take a sip out of it, we need to gulp it down.

‘All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.’ Hence begins the book Anna Karenina written by Leo Tolstoy. Leo Tolstoy, is definitely a legend since he wrote a massive epic almost a century back which reflects even today’s society like a giant mirror. A classic usually looks elegant like ball room dance, feels good like courtship and looks beautiful like a spring evening. Leo Tolstoy in his book ‘Anna Karenina’ has gone a step further in bringing not only the protagonists’ love but also the agony and passion and the woes which is caused by a love affair.

In this book, the writer portrays a love affair that shook an entire nation. ‘Anna Karenina’ stands apart from other classics as a Russian classic with all the Russian flavors. Anna Karenina is about a married aristocrat woman whose love affair becomes the talk of the country. She enters the novel to make peace between her brother Oblonsky and sister-in-law Dolly after her brother’s affair with a governess of their children. While in St Petersburg, she happens to meet Count Vronsky upon whom Kitty, the younger sister of Dolly has a liking. But ever since the two meet, they fall in love and it leads only to a series of unfortunate events because she had been content with her married life until the moment she meets him.

 Unlike other classics where love and marriage contributes the majority of the book, Anna Karenina crosses the typical boundaries and sets out to explore further into the lives of the people after marriage. The book focuses on the love story between two couples: Levin - Kitty and Anna – Vronsky.

One major thing to be noted is that when adultery is committed by a man, it’s hushed up whereas if it is a woman, it becomes the talk of the society. Vronsky is able to roam about the society normally but it is Anna who suffers the insults of the people. It has been the case since then till this day.

Like the opening line states, this novel is also about families. In this book two different family lives are described: the Levins at the countryside and the Vronskys at the city.

The woes, misery and insecurities of Anna are portrayed very well by Tolstoy that the reader can almost feel her emotions. The book celebrates marriage and mourns death.

To write a short review on this book is really difficult since the essence is better felt only when the book is read. With all due respect to Tolstoy, I would like to say that this book is an epic masterpiece and the author Leo Tolstoy deserves a standing ovation for having given it to the world.