What Happened to Anna K.
Ratings2
Average rating4.5
15
Ratings2
Average rating4.5
A mesmerizing debut novel that reimagines Tolstoy's classic tragedy, Anna Karenina, for our time Vivacious thirty-seven-year-old Anna K. is comfortably married to Alex, an older, prominent businessman from her tight-knit Russian-Jewish immigrant community in Queens. But a longing for freedom is reignited in this bookish, overly romantic, and imperious woman when she meets her cousin Katia Zavurov's boyfriend, an outsider and aspiring young writer on whom she pins her hopes for escape. As they begin a reckless affair, Anna enters into a tailspin that alienates her from her husband, family, and entire world. In nearby Rego Park's Bukharian-Jewish community, twenty-seven-year-old pharmacist Lev Gavrilov harbors two secret passions: French movies and the lovely Katia. Lev's restless longing to test the boundaries of his sheltered life powerfully collides with Anna's. But will Lev's quest result in life's affirmation rather than its destruction? Exploring struggles of identity, fidelity, and community, What Happened to Anna K. is a remarkable retelling of the Anna Karenina story brought vividly to life by an exciting young writer.
Reviews with the most likes.
I can't say why I'm reading this book, because Anna Karenina was so disappointing to me. But it was the type of story I was looking for (modern, urban, adultery) so I picked it up, and so far I like it. I look forward to meeting Lev/Levin - the French film buff pharmacist.
Update upon finishing:
I loved it. It emphasized the incredibly moving parts of Anna Karenina for me. What's missing is the 19th century page long meditations on a single aspect of character. And those are nice, but tedious after a while. One question this book raised for me was the extent to which Anna and Levin are drawn to each other in the original work. It would be a good companion for discussion.
