Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy is recognized as one of the finest writers of all time and a master of realistic fiction. The Russian Messenger magazine first released Anna Karenina in installments between 1875 and 1877. It was initially released as a book in 1878. The central conflict of the book is around Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky and Anna's adulterous affair, which drives them from Saint Petersburg to Italy. Perhaps Tolstoy's most well-known quote is found in the opening line of his book: "All happy families resemble one another; each unhappy family is miserable in its own manner." One of the pinnacles of world literature and a challenging novel with eight sections, Anna Karenina is widely regarded as the best novel ever. It has been adapted into various media including theater, opera, film, television, ballet, figure skating and radio drama.

Anna Karenina, widely regarded as the finest novel ever written, offers a comprehensive portrait of both humankind and Russian society today. In it, Tolstoy employs his keen imagination to develop some of literature's most enduring characters. In order to satisfy her passionate nature, Anna, a smart woman, leaves her empty life as Karenin's wife and goes to Count Vronsky, with tragic results. Tolstoy's personal opinions and convictions are frequently expressed by Levin, who is a reflection of the author himself. Throughout, Tolstoy points out no moral, merely inviting us not to judge but to watch. As Rosemary Edmonds comments, 'He leaves the shifting patterns of the kaleidoscope to bring home the meaning of the brooding words following the title, 'Vengeance is mine, and I will repay.

Author: Leo Tolstoy
Published: 1878