“Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” — Epigraph to Anna Karenina
Part 1
The novel opens with the famous line: “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Prince Stepan “Stiva” Oblonsky has been unfaithful to his wife, Dolly, causing a family crisis. Meanwhile, his friend Konstantin Levin, a landowner, arrives in Moscow to propose to Dolly’s younger sister, Kitty Shcherbatskaya. However, Kitty rejects Levin because she is infatuated with the dashing cavalry officer Count Alexei Vronsky.
Anna Karenina, Stiva’s sister, arrives in Moscow to reconcile the couple. At a ball, Anna and Vronsky share a passionate dance, captivating each other. Kitty, heartbroken, realizes Vronsky’s affections have shifted to Anna. Levin, devastated by rejection, returns to his country estate.
Part 2
Anna returns to St. Petersburg, with Vronsky following her. Their growing attraction becomes the subject of gossip. Meanwhile, Kitty falls ill from heartbreak and travels to a German spa to recover. Levin, back on his estate, immerses himself in agricultural work and philosophical reflections on peasant life.
Anna’s husband, Alexei Karenin, a high-ranking government official, notices the rumors but initially ignores them. When Anna confesses her feelings for Vronsky after nearly dying in childbirth, Karenin forgives her—but she soon abandons him and their son, Seryozha, to flee abroad with Vronsky.
Part 3
Levin struggles with existential questions while managing his estate. He reconnects with Kitty, who has regained her health. Their renewed courtship leads to marriage, offering a contrast to Anna’s doomed affair. Meanwhile, Anna and Vronsky travel through Europe, but their relationship becomes strained by societal rejection and Vronsky’s restlessness.
Part 4
Anna and Vronsky return to Russia, where she faces social ostracism. Karenin, influenced by a manipulative countess, refuses to grant Anna a divorce or let her see Seryozha. Levin and Kitty adjust to married life, though Levin remains troubled by spiritual doubts. Stiva’s financial troubles deepen, and he seeks help from Karenin.
Part 5
Anna and Vronsky move to the countryside, but their relationship deteriorates due to her jealousy and his resentment. She becomes increasingly paranoid, convinced he will abandon her. Meanwhile, Levin witnesses Kitty’s childbirth, which profoundly moves him. He experiences a fleeting moment of religious clarity but remains conflicted.
Part 6
Dolly visits Anna and Vronsky, observing the tension between them. Levin’s brother Nikolai dies, deepening Levin’s existential crisis. Anna, desperate to reclaim her social standing, attends the opera but is publicly humiliated. Her mental state worsens as Vronsky grows distant.
Part 7
Consumed by jealousy and despair, Anna accuses Vronsky of loving another woman. After a bitter argument, he leaves briefly. In a fit of madness, she throws herself under a train at a station, ending her life. Vronsky, shattered, volunteers for war in Serbia.
Part 8
Levin, grappling with the meaning of life, finds solace in faith and family. Though still uncertain, he chooses to embrace morality and love. The novel ends with his tentative hope for redemption, contrasting Anna’s tragic fate.
Key Ideas
- The destructive consequences of adultery and societal hypocrisy.
- The search for meaning in love, faith, and labor.
- The contrast between urban decadence and rural authenticity.
- The tension between individual desire and moral duty.
- The inevitability of suffering in flawed human relationships.
Who should read this book?
- Readers who enjoy profound psychological and philosophical explorations.
- Those interested in 19th-century Russian society and its complexities.
- Fans of tragic love stories with deep emotional resonance.
- Individuals reflecting on morality, faith, and the human condition.
Notable Adaptations
| Year | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Anna Karenina (film) | Starring Greta Garbo as Anna. |
| 1997 | Anna Karenina (film) | Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean in lead roles. |
| 2012 | Anna Karenina (film) | Directed by Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley. |