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Literary Fiction· Russia

Anna Karenina

by Leo Tolstoy
Aggregate Editorial Score76/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1877660 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina (1877) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. Tolstoy's epic masterpiece weaves together the tragic story of the aristocratic Anna, who abandons her husband for the dashing officer Vronsky, with the pastoral happiness of Levin and Kitty. Widely regarded as the greatest novel ever written, it is a profound study of love, society, hypocrisy, and spiritual longing. Its first sentence—'All happy families are alike...'—is among the most famous in literature. Themes of love, society, morality run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1877 and Times Literary Supplement 1877.

Book Details

AuthorLeo Tolstoy
Published1877
Country of Origin🇷🇺 Russia
LanguageEnglish
Pages660
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780143035008
Editorial Score76/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇷🇺 Russia

This book is part of Russia's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Russia →

Editorial Assessment

Leo Tolstoy published Anna Karenina in 1877, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Russia. The book's treatment of love, society, morality, marriage accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Anna Karenina among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Nobel Prize in Literature 1877; Times Literary Supplement 1877. Our aggregate score of 76/100 is compiled from 2 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. The appeal of Anna Karenina lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of love, society, morality, marriage is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Anna Karenina reflects Leo Tolstoy's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Russia's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
187760
Times Literary Supplement
list · global
187712
✍️
About the Author
Leo Tolstoy
Russia
View Author →

Leo Tolstoy is a celebrated author from Russia known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anna Karenina about?

Tolstoy's epic masterpiece weaves together the tragic story of the aristocratic Anna, who abandons her husband for the dashing officer Vronsky, with the pastoral happiness of Levin and Kitty. Widely regarded as the greatest novel ever written, it is a profound study of love, society, hypocrisy, and spiritual longing. Its first sentence—'All happy families are alike...'—is among the most famous in literature.

Who wrote Anna Karenina?

Anna Karenina was written by Leo Tolstoy, from Russia. First published in 1877.

What awards has Anna Karenina won?

Anna Karenina has received the following awards and honours: Nobel Prize in Literature 1877; Times Literary Supplement 1877.

Is Anna Karenina worth reading?

Anna Karenina is a widely acclaimed work with strong critical consensus, with an aggregate editorial score of 70/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in love, society, morality.

Where can I buy Anna Karenina?

You can buy Anna Karenina on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Anna Karenina?

Anna Karenina is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Anna Karenina from?

Anna Karenina originates from Russia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Russia on our country page.

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