Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Technical
  • ID: 35
  • Added: 2025-08-15
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9783736817296
  • Publisher: BookRix
  • Published: 2014-06-07
  • Formats: 538
  • Reviews: 4

Anna Karenina, written by Leo Tolstoy, is a seminal work of realist fiction published in serial form from 1873 to 1877. The novel was initially met with challenges due to Tolstoy's political views, but it ultimately gained widespread acclaim upon its complete release in 1878. Tolstoy considered it his first true novel, surpassing even War and Peace in his own estimation. The novel has been praised by literary giants such as Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Vladimir Nabokov, and William Faulkner, with Faulkner declaring it 'the best ever written.' Its enduring popularity is evident in its ranking as the 'greatest novel ever written' in a 2007 poll of 125 contemporary authors.

Reviews
SparkNotes · 2025-08-15
tragic 4.20

This summary highlights the novel’s exploration of societal rejection and personal despair, culminating in Anna’s tragic end driven by jealousy and isolation.

The review captures the harsh social realities Anna faces after her affair becomes public, as well as the emotional turmoil that leads to her tragic demise. It describes how Tolstoy intertwines the personal with the societal, showing the devastating impact of rigid social norms on individual lives. The narrative’s focus on Anna’s isolation and jealousy emphasizes the novel’s tragic tone, while also tracing the complex relationships and moral questions that Tolstoy raises throughout the story.


Quick quotes

    Anna is spurned by society, which considers her adultery disgraceful.

    Anna begins to feel great jealousy for Vronsky, resenting the fact that he is free to participate in society while she is housebound and scorned.

    Despairing and dazed by the crowds, Anna throws herself under a train and dies.

Biblical Leadership · 2025-01-20
timeless 4.50

The novel is often listed as the best novel of all time, with Tolstoy considering it his first true novel. It is celebrated for its depth and broad appeal.

The reviewer acknowledges Anna Karenina as a literary giant, often cited as the best novel of all time. They appreciate Tolstoy's ability to create a story that resonates with a wide audience, from highbrow literary types to everyday readers. The novel's exploration of human nature and societal norms is seen as both profound and engaging, making it a timeless piece of literature.


Quick quotes

    many have claimed Anna Karenina is his greatest work

    It is often listed as the best novel of all time

    Tolstoy called it his first true novel

Diary of Difference · 2024-06-12
memorable 4.50

Reading Anna Karenina was a memorable experience that felt almost lifelong, blending Tolstoy's rich storytelling with emotional depth and complex characters.

This reviewer reflects on Anna Karenina as a deeply memorable and impactful read, describing it as something that has been a part of their life indirectly before finally engaging with it. They emphasize the emotional resonance and complexity of Tolstoy’s characters, suggesting the novel’s enduring power to connect with readers on a personal level while offering layered storytelling that spans beyond mere plot.


Quick quotes

    Reading Anna Karenina was a very memorable experience.

    This book has always been inadvertently part of my life.

    Tolstoy’s storytelling is rich and emotionally deep.

immersive 4.50

Anna Karenina is a richly layered novel exploring marriage, love, and societal expectations through intertwined relationships, with vivid character dynamics and deep emotional conflict.

This review highlights the novel's broad scope in depicting the complexities of love and social life in Russian high society. It emphasizes Anna's personal struggles with her unhappy marriage and passionate affair, alongside the contrasting romantic arcs of Kitty and Levin. The narrative's detailed unfolding through eight parts allows an immersive experience of characters' emotions and societal pressures, showcasing Tolstoy's skill in weaving personal drama with larger social commentary. Readers are drawn into the consequences of forbidden love and the painful choices the characters face, making it a compelling and emotionally rich read.


Quick quotes

    Anna and Vronsky begin their affair, despite the risk it poses.

    Anna is in an unhappy marriage. Her husband, Alexei Karenin is an honorable but dull man, and the marriage lacks passion.

    Kitty chooses the dashing Count Vronsky and rejects Levin’s proposal of marriage.