I remember telling myself I would never read this, that I had no interest in classic literature, especially Russian lit. Over the last 2 years—maybe as a consequence of getting older, of being frustrated with the world we live in, or even just a natural consequence of the human condition—I find myself looking furiously and insatiably for answers to a question, a question so infuriating in its simplicity : how to live?

The movie adaptation of this novel lead me to believe this was a story of a gorgeous socialite defiled by lust and the sin of adultery. Now, having read the novel, I feel as though this is not only a cheap distillation but completely off the mark. Anna Karenina isn't only a story about adultery; Anna's sin wasn't that she cheated on her husband, her sin was that she thought she could play God. Anna Karenina is Tolstoy's answer to the question 'what is the meaning of life?'. The parallels and opposing directions of Levin and Anna's storylines force the reader to assess for themselves how to go about leading a moral life. For Tolstoy, that answer lies in the nuclear family, in faith, and in recognizing that reason and pride mislead us in this pursuit.

You'd think that a novel so heavy in philosophical undertones would be a bore to get through and, although I can agree that this book does require some extra research to fully grasp its beauty, the act of reading it felt effortless. The plot was enjoyable, certain moments even clever and funny. I'm happy I picked this as my first Russian classic because, despite its length, it was relatively easy to get through.


I understand why this is one of the greatest novels ever written.
I am so glad I challenged myself to give it a try.