Anna Karenina

In 1872 the mistress of a neighbouring landowner threw herself under a train at a station near Tolstoy's home. This gave Tolstoy the starting point he needed for composing what many believe to be the greatest novel ever written. In writing Anna Karenina he moved away from the vast historical sweep of War and Peace to tell, with extraordinary understanding, the story of an aristocratic woman who brings ruin on herself. Anna's tragedy is interwoven with not only the courtship and marriage of Kitty and Levin but also the lives of many other characters. Rich in incident, powerful in characterization, the novel also expresses Tolstoy's own moral vision. 'The correct way of putting the question is the artist's duty', Chekhov once insisted, and Anna Karenina was the work he chose to make his point. It solves no problem, but it is deeply satisfying because all the questions are put correctly. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

ISBN	0199536066	Pages	880
ISBN13	9780199536061 (What's this?)	Volumes	1
Publisher	Oxford University Press	Weight (grammes)	590
Imprint	Oxford University Press	Published in	Oxford
Format	Paperback	Series title	Oxford World's Classics
Publication date	08 May 2008	Previous ISBN	9780192833815
Translator	Louise Maude, Aylmer Maude	Height (mm)	196
Writer of introduction	Jones, W. Gareth	Width (mm)	129
Library of Congress	2008274369	Spine width (mm)	39
DEWEY	891.733	Academic level	General
DEWEY edition	DC22	Alternative ISBN	9789626341308

I admire this book because it gives a realistic grownup treatment of an affair. It shows that 'love is all you need' is a fallacy. The characters are all well drawn and you follow the unravelling of Annas personality when excluded from society and the gradual disintegration of the couples love when faced with hostility ans jealousy - pauline brailsford

A wonderful classic tale of troubled love, with characters inspiring both adoration and contempt. It seems as though this one book (albeit a long one) contains all of life within its covers. - Stuart Sheppard

Tolstoy observes human traits and personalities very perceptively and the characterisation is brilliant. The story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster but it is interesting to learn about Russian High Society and culture and well as some of Russia's history. I read this book in response to its being named as the World's greatest Novel!..but I would have to agree with that. I also thought it was much more accessible than I had imagined. - Catherine Derby, Bookseller at Blackwell, Nottingham Trent

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