Tolstoy's Anna Karenina: Real Housewives of Russia

Benny decided it was time for the boys to read Leo Tolstoy's 800 page whopper Anna Karenina. Today we discuss parts 1 and 2 of the novel.

Rich immediately fell in love with all the characters. He wants be Levin, be with Anna, and be... something with that majestic horse Frou Frou. 

On the famous opening line: Are happy families alike? Are any of Tolstoy's families happy? Rich argues the line is actually about statistical mechanics. 

On Stepan and Dolly: We meet our first unhappy family. Are they meant to be nodes who connect everyone else? Will they stick in there and make the marriage work?

On Levin: Rich identifies with Levin, warts and all. Is this Tolstoy's mary-sue character? How did he fumble the bag so hard with Kitty? Speaking of, why can't Benny bowl without the gutters up?

On Anna: Rich falls in love with Anna almost as quick as a Tolstoy character. Her elegance, intelligence, and her black dress. He loves her even more than Levin but Frou-Frou the horse gives her a run for her money. How does Tolstoy write such likeable characters? Is Anna's burgeoning relationship with Vronsky love? What to think of her cucked bureaucrat husband Alexei Karenin, who's obsessed with propriety? On fiery passion vs duty.

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) AI rates our podcasting skills  
(00:05:00) Opening line: are all happy families alike?  
(00:11:58) Benny history snippet: Freeing the serfs  
(00:13:44) Stepan and Dolly
(00:20:10) Meeting the famous Anna Karenina  
(00:27:15) Levin crushing on the Schchchcherbatskys  
(00:36:15) Anna and Vronsky  
(00:50:23) Alexei Karenin in denial
(01:01:23) Where's all the sex?  
(01:14:00) Tolstoy's writing

 

WRITE US:

We love listener feedback. Send us a note at douevenlit@gmail.com to correct our hot takes, add your own, or ask a question.

NEXT ON THE READING LIST:

• Anna Karenina - parts 3-5
• Anna Karenina - parts 6-8
• A new book!