Picking this book up and down multiple times, I didn't begin to fully grasp the beauty of the novel until hundreds of pages in. Anna Karenina did not create a single plot with antagonists our characters must overcome and grow from as a result - as is classic in many novels - but rather liberally utilizes hundreds of pages simply to set the scene of our story to the smallest of details, the story of Russian aristocrats searching for what provides meaning in their lives, whether it be society, industry, religion, politics, drinking copiously, art, and nature. Upon realizing the directionless nature of Tolstoy's masterfully created world, I quickly became fully engrossed with each character's listless quests to define themselves. Anna Karenina attempts to mimic real life by íntimately characterizing players from all walks of life, all of whom are subject to relatable emotional and logical dilemmas and contradictions, and in doing serves as the channel by which Tolstoy expresses his musings on the complexities and simplicities of life.

Overall, an amazing book I'm sure I'll need to reread as I'm certain volumes of meaning flew over my head. Looking back, the scope of the story is incredible. If you have plenty of time and are looking for a epic filled with vast networks of relationships, characters with three to four different names, emotional rollercoasters, and chapter long descriptions of grain harvesting, I definitely recommend :)