Anna Karenina (1877)

featured-image

Title: Anna Karenina
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Year of Publication: 1877
Genre: Realist Fiction, Romance
Setting: Russia during the late 19th century

Plot: "Anna Karenina" is a complex and sweeping novel that explores themes of love, morality, societal norms, and the consequences of one's actions. The story follows the lives of several characters, with the central focus on Anna Karenina, a married woman who enters into a passionate affair with the charming Count Vronsky. As their affair becomes increasingly scandalous, Anna faces social alienation, guilt, and inner turmoil. The novel also delves into the lives of other characters, including Konstantin Levin, a landowner struggling with personal and philosophical questions. "Anna Karenina" offers a rich portrayal of Russian society, examining the complexities of human relationships and the tensions between personal desires and societal expectations.

Major Characters:

  • Anna Karenina: The protagonist, a married woman caught in a forbidden love affair.
  • Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky: Anna's lover and a charming military officer.
  • Konstantin Dmitrievich Levin: A landowner and a counterpart to Anna's story.
  • Princess Ekaterina Alexandrovna Shcherbatskaya (Kitty): A young woman courted by both Levin and Vronsky.

Awards: As "Anna Karenina" was published in 1877, it did not receive any contemporary awards. However, it has since become regarded as one of the greatest novels in world literature and a masterpiece of realist fiction.

Legacy: "Anna Karenina" is considered one of Leo Tolstoy's finest works and a significant contribution to the literary canon. The novel explores profound philosophical and moral questions while delving into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Its rich character development, detailed descriptions, and thematic depth have made it a beloved and enduring classic. "Anna Karenina" continues to be studied, analyzed, and appreciated for its exploration of universal themes and its depiction of 19th-century Russian society.