Iāve been meaning to read this book for years but always felt like āI wasnāt readyā to approach the main works of Tolstoj and Iām very glad I finally read it.
To say itās a long book itās an understatement. Itās a whole journey into the life and minds of so many people, that you canāt help but think ādamn did this man even have a life outside of his writing career?ā. [Yes. Yes, he did indeed have an eventful life, and not only because he was a semi-cult leader at some point LMAO]
The question āDid I like the book?ā is not easy to answer though, as I have mixed feelings about it.
As a student of Russian and Russian Literature, Iāve been familiar with the plot of Anna Karenina long before reading it {canāt believe just some years ago I was able to make presentations in Russian about this book TT}, so I knew the whole story from the very start and wasnāt surprised by anything.
We have to accept the truth though: Tolstoj keeps his judging and paternalistic tone throughout the whole book and thatās simply insufferable. Itās hilarious to me how he started the book with the Bible reference by Jahve āMihi vindicta, ego retribuamā [Vengeance is mine, I will repay], but then proceeded to SHAMELESSLY JUDGE ANYONE in the book that had different views than him.
As many have said before me, Anna can rightfully be considered an ante litteram feminist, that HAS to succumb to the strict social rules and double standards of her time. Reading her story as a woman of the XXI century made me feel so helpless and angry about the fact that that was simply the way things worked at the time. There was no way to lead a respectful life as a runaway bride. Her life was in the hands of her (ex) husband, and she never had a saying in anything, except on the brave decision to follow her heart, which will also be the cause of her tragic destiny.
Levin and Kittyās story was so āperfectā it was horribly boring. Tolstojās aim to portray via them the ideal couple is VERY clear. As if it wasnāt enough, theyāre very much obviously based on him and his wife, which is very cute but also, once again, quite arrogant of him.
In short, I canāt deny the immense value of this book in terms of it being a loyal representation of Russian society at the time, and also an incredible work of psychological search in the minds of the characters.
However, I found it slow and boring at times, and most characters failed to catch my empathy. Plus, as much as I adore his writing style, Tolstoj is simply too much of a prima donna.
Iād have a lot more to say about every character, but thatād be too long of a rewiew. Iād be super happy if someone who read/is reading Anna Karenina wanted to share their opinions with me!!