Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

Anna Karenina

By Leo Tolstoy

  • Release Date: 1877-12-30
  • Genre: Classics
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 3,620 Ratings

Description

An Apple Books Classic edition.

“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Thus begins what many consider the world’s greatest novel. Leo Tolstoy originally published this sweeping saga in serial form beginning in 1875, portraying a vast swath of Russian life, from the fields worked by starving peasant farmers to the sitting rooms (and bedrooms) of privileged aristocrats.

Despite its epic nature, Anna Karenina is an intricate, intimate study of one woman’s downward spiral into tragedy. As Anna’s husband becomes increasingly absorbed in philosophical and political introspection, Tolstoy’s heroine grows weary of her life as a mother and wealthy man’s wife. Increasingly unsettled by the stark class differences she observes, Anna finds passion again in a forbidden affair with Count Vronsky. But can she overcome her obsessive concern with societal norms to find a measure of happiness?

Passion. Betrayal. Love. Revenge. Tolstoy’s classic has it all.

Reviews

  • So RELEVANT

    5
    By RoseBisou5
    This is now one of my favorite books of all time. It’s so well written. Every character is so thoroughly developed in a way I’ve never come across. You’re privy to their inmost thoughts and feelings with such frankness and honesty that you understand and empathize with them on a deeper level… it’s like a mirror - you can’t help but recognize parts of yourself in them all at various times in your life. You’ve had those same experiences from various perspectives… you’ve been in all their shoes in one way or another and if you’d ever been honest with yourself you’d have to admit you felt just the same way, thought just the same things, and acted just like that - flattering or not. You’ll see parts of every relationship you’ve ever had in the story of each couple. Beyond that there’s much of the social and political climate of the era in Russia that strikes a chord and accurately reflects the landscape of America today. It feels so… current.
  • Emma

    5
    By Wolf619_
    Epic narratives.
  • One of the greatest novels of all time

    5
    By dhoffmanlaw
    Tolstoy is a genius beyond comprehension, melding brilliant artistry with profound philosophical inquiry, all in a beautifully readable and compelling narrative.
  • Incredible

    5
    By ericxues
    It is the Garnett translation for those wondering
  • Who is the translator?

    4
    By Lemonchip
    Does Apple list this information anywhere?
  • Stands the test of time

    4
    By BrChildr
    I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this book and especially how it’s stuck with me. The storyline is still relevant after all these years and thought provoking. It’s interesting and rare for a book to have so many characters that are well developed and all relevant to the story. I found that a little hard to keep up with at first, but in the end it’s really what made the book so good.
  • A Journey of a Book

    3
    By Zayïne
    Originally I picked this up to read a classic and mostly to tell people I was reading Tolstoy, but after it was done, I was glad I read it. It was pretty dry and boring, but by part five out of eight, I was invested in finishing it — partly given to the fact that I felt so invested in the characters. Of course, with an 800+ page book, one does get to know characters pretty well. There were a lot of people in the book to keep track of at the beginning, but the important ones do get easier to remember. A good shock near the end, and hopefully one day I can get to ‘War and Peace’!
  • Anna Karenina

    5
    By Marywashington
    Very philosophical, with a humanistic recounting of Levin’s journey toward a rule book for life. Anna represents self-centered, narcissism leading to self-annihilation as its result. Kitty is the benevolent part of humanity as the good. Each character displays a different aspect of humanity.
  • The Best Yet

    5
    By rossandbeth
    My favorite book by one of my favorite Russian authors. The story asks and answers many questions we all have about life and the kinds of people we meet and know.
  • Must Read!

    5
    By LaLa Christine
    I am a huge fan of historical fiction and classic novels. This is, without a doubt, the most well written novel I have read! This is your ticket for a wonderful trip to late 19th century Russia.

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