Anna Karenina
“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
I finally finished Anna Karenina
After Michelle read it, she said that it seemed the real story was Kitty and Levin, but that Tolstoy had to put the torrid, tragic love affair in there because no one wanted to read a book about a good man and a good woman making a marriage work and coming to faith. I think she’s right.
The thought that kept coming to mind as I read was this: no matter what era we live in, no matter what country we live in, human nature is the same.
Some people will choose to overcome their baser appetites to do what is right.
Some people will give in to their passions and lusts, and destroy their family as a result.
Some people will grow up with a childlike faith in God, and never question it.
Some people will have to overcome their intellect in order to believe.
Some people will never focus their attention on anything bigger than their own self.
Some people will love their children, worry about them, and do everything to raise them right.
Some people will see their children as a hindrance to their self-interests.
Some people will talk and talk about the horrible state of the world.
Some people will work to do something about the horrible state of the world.
Tolstoy is a remarkable writer. Russia is a place I’ve never had a desire to visit - until I read Tolstoy’s descriptions of St. Petersburg and Moscow. He made me want to visit these cities. He also made me want to live as a Russian peasant and sleep on a haystack, after eating a simple meal of bread and cheese. For a day, anyway.
I did find myself wishing that he hadn’t gone off on so many political and socio-economic rabbit trails. I wanted more of Kitty and Levin, more of Anna and Vronsky. I understand his motivation for writing that way - that he could get his political views across and actually read by people in a novel. It just wasn’t that interesting to me. The character, setting, and story - these I loved.
4 out of 5 stars
I had a tough time with Tolstoy’s politics, too, but I enjoyed this book very much.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:09 pmp.s.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:10 pmThe NFL Draft begins tomorrow. Football season is on the way!
Such a beautiful book. Thanks for the review.
April 25th, 2008 at 10:15 pmThank you for your thoughtful review of the book. It’s a book I’ve had for years and have started off and on. You’ve motivated me to give it another try.
April 26th, 2008 at 2:36 amI’ve had a newish traslation on my shelf for a while, but haven’t delved into it. I like your analysis. Have you read Lionel Shiver’s Post Birthday World? It takes a “will she or won’t see commit adultery” situation, then alternates chapters for each outcome. I think it’s an interesting exploration of how fate and free will intertwine.
April 26th, 2008 at 8:01 amCrissy - I know, can you believe it? It goes by so fast. I, for one, will miss watching Shaun Alexander play. Any ideas where he’s going?
Hope - It is definitely a book worth the effort.
Girl Detective - I have Post-Birthday World on my to-read stack - I may have to move it closer to the top!
April 26th, 2008 at 8:33 amWe’ll miss him, too. But his plans are to keep his family here in the Seattle area, so we’re glad for that. As for where he will play, there’s no way to know yet. I just hope he stays healthy and has a great year wherever he goes.
April 26th, 2008 at 9:46 amI was surprised at how much I liked this book. I’m not ready to pick up another Tolstoy yet, but I was a definite fan of Anna Karenina. Plus, you feel a real sense of accomplishment finishing it!
April 26th, 2008 at 10:49 amTolstoy’s great. You should try War and Peace if you haven’t already read it. But wait a while, and give the Russian novel thing a break.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:20 pmThe Levin storyline was largely autobiographical. It was the best part of the book for me. Unfortunately I really didn’t care much for the book. Anna frustrated me too much. But I like your review. You got more out of it than I did.
April 26th, 2008 at 1:13 pmTricia - yes, I definitely felt like I deserved a pat on the back. Unfortunately, when I bragged about finishing a 754-page Russian novel, he said, “That’s nice.” Not the raving acclaim I was looking for.
Sherry - I have War and Peace, Crime and Punishment, and The Brothers Karamazov on my to-read list, but it will be a while before I’m ready to tackle another Russian novel.
Petunia - the Levin part was definitely my favorite, too!
April 26th, 2008 at 10:12 pmI will have to read this book now. You have me curious.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:18 amJennifer - just be prepared for it to take a while - it’s monstrously long!
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May 3rd, 2008 at 2:05 pmI added this one to several challenges this year so I would make sure I finally took it off the shelf and read it. I have to admit, the length is scaring me a bit.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:07 pmNatasha - it is long, but you will feel like you accomplished something huge when you finish it!
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