Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Why read the book?

Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina follows Anna, a married aristocrat who begins an affair with Count Vronsky, leading to scandal and tragedy. Parallel to her story is Levin’s search for meaning in rural life and love for Kitty. Set in 19th-century Russia, the novel explores love, faith, family, and society through rich characters and moral questions. It’s a profound study of human nature.

Favourite quote

All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

What I Loved

Anna Karenina enchants with its vast scope and deep insight into the human heart, from Anna’s passionate fall to Levin’s spiritual quest. Tolstoy’s vivid scenes—of balls, harvests, and trains—bring Russia alive. The characters’ inner struggles, like Anna’s guilt or Vronsky’s emptiness, feel real and timeless. The novel’s blend of romance, philosophy, and social critique makes every page rewarding, though its length demands commitment.

Key Takeaway

Pursue truth and love wisely, for choices shape happiness or ruin.