Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is a sweeping epic of passion and tragedy, set against the glittering backdrop of 19th-century Russian high society. The novel follows Anna, a beautiful and intelligent woman trapped in a loveless marriage, whose electrifying affair with the charismatic Count Vronsky defies convention—and sets her on a collision course with ruin. As their forbidden love ignites whispers and condemnation, Anna’s struggle for happiness becomes a desperate battle against the suffocating expectations of her world.

Parallel to Anna’s unraveling is the story of Konstantin Levin, a nobleman searching for purpose beyond wealth and status. Through Levin’s introspective journey—his yearning for love, his clashes with modernity, and his quest for spiritual fulfillment—Tolstoy crafts a profound counterpoint to Anna’s tragic descent. Their intertwined fates explore timeless questions: Can true love survive in a rigid society? Is redemption possible for those who dare to break the rules?

With its rich character portraits, piercing social commentary, and unforgettable emotional depth, Anna Karenina remains one of literature’s greatest achievements. Tolstoy’s masterpiece is a haunting, beautiful, and devastating exploration of the human heart—where desire and duty collide, and the consequences of defiance are both glorious and grave. A story that burns as fiercely today as it did over a century ago.

About the author

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was one of Russia’s most celebrated novelists and thinkers, renowned for his deep philosophical inquiries and unparalleled storytelling. His masterpieces, including War and Peace and The Death of Ivan Ilyich, continue to captivate readers for their profound insight into the human condition and their sweeping portrayals of life’s triumphs and tragedies.