So, what's Anna Karenina actually about? The story follows two main threads. The first is Anna herself, a vibrant and admired woman in high-society St. Petersburg. She's married to a cold, powerful government minister, and their life is all about appearances. When she meets the charming cavalry officer Vronsky, she falls deeply in love and begins a scandalous affair that shocks everyone around her. We watch as her choice leads to thrilling highs and devastating lows, all while society turns its back on her.

The second thread follows Konstantin Levin, a wealthy but awkward landowner who prefers life on his country estate to the glitter of the city. He's in love with Kitty Shcherbatskaya (who is initially infatuated with Vronsky), and his story is less about scandal and more about a personal quest. He's trying to figure out how to live a good, honest life, understand his faith, and find real connection in his work and marriage.

Why You Should Read It

I love this book because Tolstoy doesn't judge his characters. He just shows you their hearts. You understand exactly why Anna makes her choices, even when you can see the disaster coming. Her story is a raw look at what happens when you put your entire identity into one person or one feeling. Levin’s journey is the perfect counterbalance—it’s quieter, but just as powerful. His struggles with doubt and his search for simple happiness are incredibly relatable. Reading their stories side-by-side makes you think hard about love, responsibility, and what we all owe to ourselves and to others.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves character-driven stories that stick with you for years. If you enjoy novels where people feel real enough to step off the page, where you highlight sentences because they explain something you've always felt, you'll find a friend in Anna Karenina. It's not a light beach read, but it’s a profoundly human one. Give yourself permission to get lost in its world—you won't regret it.