Summary of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Summary of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

This is the simple blog friendly summary of the novel, but if you prefer the longer more comprehensive summary I wrote there is a google docs link at the bottom of the page. I actually do prefer the longer summary because it is more entertaining like reading a short story.

The simplest way to summarize the plot is to break it up into two separate story lines involving the main characters of Anna Karenina and Levin. Although both story lines constantly interact with each they don’t affect each other’s plot for the most part. The novel begins with a love triangle between Anna, Kitty, and Vronsky before the stories diverge. Anna is a St. Petersburg socialite that’s admired by almost everyone, but her main admirer is a young up and coming Calvary man named Vronsky. Anna is married, but that doesn’t stop the endless chapters of flirtations and affairs behind her husband’s back.

Kitty was kicked to the curb by Vronsky and is distraught because she rejected her other suitor in Levin. Coping with this rejection, Levin takes up a heavy interest in his farming. After a year of avoidance Kitty and Levin nervously reconcile and marry. This will end up being the foil relationship to Anna and Vronsky, because while Anna’s love started out strong it begins to wither.

After tension filled chapters Anna finally confesses her relationship to her husband named Karenin. Karenin was upset, but doesn’t want the embarrassment of a divorce and stays married. Vronsky and Anna continue their relationship, but Anna soon is on her deathbed after giving birth to Vronsky’s child. Karenin forgives Anna and Vronsky, but soon after Anna cheats death she and Vronsky leave St. Petersburg. Happiness soon turns gloomy after Anna becomes unhappy in her social situation and her divorce situation with Karenin who wont grant a one. Suffering from constant jealousy and an addiction to morphine Anna tragically commits suicide by jumping in front of a train.

Kitty and Levin suffer no major problems after they get married and live happily ever after on Levin’s farm. There were important tests in the relationship that worked out for the better as the couple welcomed a baby towards the end of the book.

Full Summary of Anna Karenina

My review of the novel is soon to follow.....

Get to know me! Q 4,5,6

Last Random Questions Post before 1st official post

Q4: What DVD in your collection are you most embarrassed about owning?

A4: Crank for sure. I was in high school and I never saw the movie and my friend told me it was good. I picked it up at Costco as an impulse buy and hated it. I thought it was so stupid and over the top, but now years later it still sits in my closet.

Q5: Whats the most played song on your itunes library?

A5: Dont Panic by Coldplay. It's not my favorite song, but its short and catchy so I almost never skip it while on shuffle mode.

Q6: What was your least favorite subject in school?

A6: Definitely math because I have a short attention span when it comes to numbers. I'm not that much better when it comes to Chemistry, but Biology I can understand.

Get to know me! Q 1,2,3

Before I start my blog with a review of a long novel its best that you get the know me and my writing style while I set up the logistics of this blog.  Here are some random questions I'm answering:

Q1: Did your parents give you a car at the age of 16?

A1: Nope. I got my learners permit at age late 16 or early 17 and then 6 mo. later I got my license. I honestly had no where to go nor was I eager to be anywhere. My family was moving to another state so when we moved my dad bought a new car so I just used his old one still to this day.

Q2: Do you use a bath robe?

A2: No. I live in California so there really is no need for one temp wise. Some guys will use a robe when they get out of the shower then shave, but I shave before I shower. I get dressed pretty quickly so there is no need for one anyway.

Q3: Do you have a tattoo?

A3: I wish I could answer yes to one of these random questions I'm finding online, but no. Both my younger siblings have them and in order to be different I'm not getting one. I just know I'll regret a tattoo after a couple of weeks.

Mindblowing stuff right?