Elisabetta

I’ve been meaning to read this book for years but always felt like “I wasn’t ready” to approach the main works of Tolstoj and I’m very glad I finally read it.

To say it’s a long book it’s an understatement. It’s a whole journey into the life and minds of so many people, that you can’t help but think “damn did this man even have a life outside of his writing career?”. [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 “Did I like the book?” is not easy to answer though, as I have mixed feelings about it.

As a student of Russian and Russian Literature, I’ve been familiar with the plot of Anna Karenina long before reading it {can’t 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 wasn’t surprised by anything.

We have to accept the truth though: Tolstoj keeps his judging and paternalistic tone throughout the whole book and that’s simply insufferable. It’s hilarious to me how he started the book with the Bible reference by Jahve “Mihi vindicta, ego retribuam” [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 Kitty’s story was so “perfect” it was horribly boring. Tolstoj’s aim to portray via them the ideal couple is VERY clear. As if it wasn’t enough, they’re very much obviously based on him and his wife, which is very cute but also, once again, quite arrogant of him.

In short, I can’t 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.

I’d have a lot more to say about every character, but that’d be too long of a rewiew. I’d be super happy if someone who read/is reading Anna Karenina wanted to share their opinions with me!!