Society has many twists and turns, convoluted as it may be however, when one element cuts the societal string, the rest of the beads along the line collapse and fall similar to the events of Anna Karenina. This novel was written from 1875 to 1877 by author Leo Tolstoy as a means of expressing the society of the time. There are many differences between back then and now both societally and in physical being. The first half (pages 1-403) is based upon the building of the characters and their relationships to each other as they evolve after specific events. The book starts off in Moscow, Russia with one of the six main characters, Prince Stephen (Steve) Arkadyevich Oblonsky, and his ongoing issues with his wife, Princess Darya (Dolly) Alexandrovna Oblonskaya. The book’s namesake is due to arrive to help resolve the couple’s issues in the hopes of preventing a societal disaster. Meanwhile, Constantine (Kostya) Dmitrich Levin has hailed from Russia’s countryside to seek Princess Catherine (Kitty) Alexandrovna Shcherbatskaya’s hand in marriage after long working up the courage to do so. A ball is held by the Shcherbatskys in which Anna Arkadyevna Karenina and Count Alexis Kirilich Vronsky meet for the first time. From that point on, sparks fly between the two, setting into effect a snowball of catastrophic events. Anna and Vronsky aren’t the only two with budding romance as Kitty and Levin have plans of their own to be of more relevance in each other’s lives. Anna, hailing from Saint Petersburg, returns to the city after the ball only to be tailed by Vronsky who wished not to live a life in which Anna was not near him. Eventually, Anna’s husband, Alexis Alexandrovich Karenin, arrives on the scene and begins to suspect falsehoods and improper relations. Karenin’s suspicions come to light in a major twist of events, crossing the line that marks the point of no return in the relations of the characters. Towards the end of the first half of the novel, a surprise shift in the proverbial winds leaves readers on a cliffhanger unable to see exactly what will occur next and how the characters will evolve from that point on. From the very first sentence, I fell in love with this book and found that I could not put it down. I have since developed an attachment to some characters and a distaste for others. In itself, this book is a matter of opinion as to who is the true antagonist, who should be despised, and who should be put on a pedestal as a beloved character. The personalities of each protagonist have qualities that create unique beings, allowing you to cherish some and wish others off the face of the pages. Interpretation is a major part of most famous works of literature, a factor beautifully displayed within this novel. Overall, I would say that Anna Karenina is one of the best books I have read to date, displaying in all its glory just how interesting society can be, a fact I previously was doubtful of. In total, Anna Karenina is a must-read for those who enjoy unique plots and interesting character relations. The novel is a classic and is regarded as some to be the best novel ever written. Through the course of the first half of the novel, I can attest to the statement holding definite truth and would without a doubt recommend this book to anyone at an appropriate age.
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