No Spoilers
About 60-70 days ago, I started to read that magnificent novel. I began with an Audiobook to be precise. It was narrated by David Horovitch who himself is an actor. His mesmerizing voice took me to the 19th century's Moscow. I read and listen simultaneously. It works very well for me. By the way, I have kept a soft corner in my heart for 19th century, whether it is India, England, France or China. I wish I could travel through time and had a glass of wine with Victor Hugo, Rabindranath Tagore (Never heard of him drinking though) or Jane Austin.
The book was translated by many. I randomly picked up the one which was translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude. The translation is very smooth. I didn’t have to stop to look for new words much. The book came to me at the time when I needed a friend, a friend who would tell me what to do. It gave me directions that I badly needed. I could never imagine that it might change the course of my life.
Here is the cover of the book:
The next page:
The Book at a Glance:
- Full Title: Anna Karenina
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Type of Work: Novel
- Genre: Psychological novel; tragedy
- Original Language: Russian
- Time And Place Written: 1873–1877; the estate of Yasnaya Polyana, near Moscow
- Date Of First Publication 1873–1877 (serial publication)
- Pulbished as a Book: 1878
- Publisher: M. N. Katkov
- Narrator: Third person
- Setting (Time): The 1870s
- Setting (Place): Various locations throughout Russia, Germany and Italy
- Protagonists: Anna Karenina; Konstantin Levin
- Major Conflict:
Anna can't deny her passion for Count Vronsky and her desire for independence; on the other hand, her marriage life and maternal love towards her son.
Levin, a socially awkward but generous-hearted landowner. He is intellectual and philosophical but applies his thinking to practical matters such as agriculture.
Source: Sparknotes
HOW THE STORY BEGINS
"ALL HAPPY families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."
The book starts with this famous line. Probably one of the most famous of all the greatest classics ever written. I have read somewhere that William Faulkner and Vladimir Nabokov have considered it to be the greatest work of literature.
Anna karenina is the wife of Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin (a government officer). Hence, her last name is Karenina. She has a 7 year old boy named Seryozha. Anna is a woman who attracts everyone around her. She is at her early 20s and much younger than her husband. She occupies an important place in Russian aristocratic society.
Another important character is Konstantine Levin, my personal favourite. He is a hardworking countryman. Very caring towards the people he loves, independent, a little unsocial in relation to the Russian society. He has his own notions and vision towards living. It is believed by many of the critics that Levin is a self portrayal of the author himself.
In this book you will find horse races, hunting, farming, country life, city life, authentic Russian culture and society. You'll forget about your existence for a while, it will blend you with the characters.
The story has many characters and the scenario changes time to time. The chapters are short which was very helpful for me. It takes 5-8 minutes to finish each chapter on average. My suggestion is: Read it slowly. Read 10-15 minutes a day. This book is very rewarding that a 10 minutes read would be more than enough.
The book is about love, loneliness, unfaithfulness, envy, betrayal, depression and a true MASTERPIECE.
P. S.: Try not to watch the 2012 movie adaptation by Joe Wright. Do read the book.