Anna Karenina Summary

Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" is a complex tale of love, infidelity, and the constraints of society in 19th-century Russia. The novel intertwines the lives of several characters, focusing primarily on Anna Karenina, a beautiful and aristocratic woman trapped in a loveless marriage to Alexei Karenin. Anna embarks on a passionate affair with Count Alexei Vronsky, leading to her social ostracism and personal turmoil. Meanwhile, the novel also explores the life of Konstantin Levin, a landowner who struggles with existential questions and seeks fulfillment in his marriage to Kitty, a former love interest of Vronsky. As Anna's relationship with Vronsky deteriorates under the strain of societal judgment and personal jealousy, she becomes increasingly isolated and desperate, ultimately taking her own life. Levin, in contrast, finds contentment and meaning through his connection to the land, family, and faith. "Anna Karenina" is a rich and tragic exploration of the human condition, societal expectations, and the search for personal happiness.