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Anna Karenina
- KateHubbs
- Jan 30, 2017
- 2 min read
Title: Anna Karenina
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Pages: 964
Genre: Fiction
Narrator: Wanda McCaddon
Recommended: If you like a good cold Russian tragedy.
Not What I Thought
From what I knew about the plot of Ana Karenina, I thought this would be a cautionary tale for loose women (kind of like "The Book of Margery Kempe"). While it does highlight the complications that arise when someone is unfaithful in their marriage, it takes the time to analyze those complications and sympathize with everyone involved.
It's Just Like Real Life
I also thought that this book would be so far removed that I couldn't understand it. What commonalities could I have with a member of the Imperial Russian aristocracy? In reality, a lot. Anna Karenina tackles things like infidelity, divorce, custody, jealousy, loyalty, unrequited love and what it means to lead a fulfilling life with equally fulfilling relationships.
Sure the societal rules differ between the present day and that time period, but the concerns are the same. People go to court every day trying to get their kids in the divorce. People are still shunned and shamed and judged for making "poor life decisions". Who is to say they're poor anyway?
Statement Piece
Tolstoy made a lot of statements in this book. His use of dialogue and internal monologue wonderfully flesh out very realistic human characters. Then he uses those characters to make commentary on society at large.
Women's Rights - Without a husband, a woman stood to lose everything. Was it morally right? What if choosing another path meant emotional happiness but no financial or societal stability. Women were trapped to follow a prescribed path, be they happy or miserable.
Double Standards and Gender - Anna's brother Stiva is a serial cheater, and he never really faces any consequences. Anna cheats with one man and her life is over. Boo.
Wealth and the Simple Life- Not one of the rich people in this book is happy. They are all searching for the next best thing. This is where Tolstoy injected the story of Kitty and Levin, who choose a farming life. They have to work hard, but they are truly happy with each other. (Sorry, no spoiler warming. But for real, the book has been out for like, 150 years. You don't read these books for the ending.)
Audiobook
It takes a special kind of person to narrate epic tomes such as this, especially those that are originally in a foreign language. I thought Wanda McCadden did a great job.
Book vs. Film
When I say film, I'm referring to the 2012 Focus Films production. It's as beautiful and colorful and intricate as the time period. It is dramatized and acted phenomenally, though I felt like it only half told the story. It's like, super long, so I can see where they would choose to cut the fluff. The book is better, but if you ever have two hours to kill and want a depression binge, check it out.
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