Review of the book “Anna Karenina” by Liev N. Tolstoy.
“Anna Karenina” is one of the most emblematic works of Russian literature, written by Liev N. Tolstoy and published in 1877. It is a novel of great magnitude, which delves into the psychology and complex human relationships of Russian high society. of the 19th century.
What makes “Anna Karenina” by Liev N. Tolstoy one of the masterpieces of world literature? In this article, we will analyze some of the highlights of this novel that portrays life and love in 19th century Russia.
“Anna Karenina” is a novel that covers several themes, such as family, society, politics, religion and morality. However, the central axis of the story is the conflict between love and duty, embodied by the two main characters: Anna Karenina and Konstantín Lévin.
Anna Karenina is a woman married to a high-ranking government official, Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin. Despite having a son and a respectable social position, Anna feels dissatisfied with her marriage and she falls in love with a young officer, Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky. This forbidden love leads her to break with social conventions and face the consequences of her decision.
Konstantín Lévin is a landowner who lives in the countryside and is dedicated to agriculture. Lévin searches for the meaning of life and questions his faith and his role in society. His dream is to marry Kitty Shcherbatskaya, a young woman from the high aristocracy who at first rejects his proposal because she is in love with Vronsky. However, after Vronsky notices Anna Karenina, Kitty realizes her mistake and agrees to marry Lévin.
The novel alternates the stories of these two characters, showing their contrasts and similarities. They both seek happiness and the meaning of their existence, but they do it in different ways. Anna Karenina gives herself over to passionate and challenging love, while Lévin opts for serene and committed love. Anna Karenina distances herself from her family and her son, while Lévin approaches his family and has a son. Anna Karenina commits suicide because she cannot bear the weight of his guilt and her loneliness, while Lévin finds inner peace by reconciling with her faith.
“Anna Karenina” is a novel that shows us the complexity of human beings and the consequences of their choices. Tolstoy creates deep and realistic characters, who make us reflect on love, duty, freedom and destiny. It is a work that leaves no one indifferent and deserves to be read and reread.
The story follows Anna Karenina, a beautiful and sophisticated woman, who is married to an older and boring man, the civil servant Karenin. Ana lives in Saint Petersburg, but travels to Moscow to help her brother save her marriage. There she meets the handsome young Count Vronsky, with whom she falls madly in love. As their relationship develops, Ana faces a great dilemma, as she must choose between her love for Vronsky and her commitment to her husband and her son.
Throughout the novel, Tolstoy explores different aspects of Russian society, such as politics, religion, and domestic life. He also delves into supporting characters, such as Levin, a landowner who represents rural life and who falls in love with Kitty, Anne’s younger sister, and who also faces his own difficulties in finding happiness.
What makes “Anna Karenina” a masterpiece of literature is Tolstoy’s ability to create complex, realistic characters torn between their desires and responsibilities. Ana is a character who provokes both compassion and repulsion, while Vronsky is a passionate and defiant young man, but also selfish and capricious. Levin is a calmer and more reflective character, representing a more spiritual and contemplative philosophy.
Another highlight of the novel is Tolstoy’s ability to create detailed and realistic atmospheres and settings, such as the description of horse races, train stations, and high society balls. His writing style is simple and elegant, yet very powerful, and his ability to create emotional and dramatic tension is extraordinary.
In short, “Anna Karenina” is a masterpiece of literature that remains relevant and moving today. Through the story of Anne, Tolstoy addresses themes such as love, passion, infidelity, commitment and responsibility. His characters are complex and realistic, and his writing style is captivating and emotional. It is a work that should be read by any literature lover.
Source: https://algunoslibrosbuenos.com/ana-karenina
