Anna Karenina

Penguin Classics Edition | By Leo Tolstoy

Widely regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is a sweeping, deeply human masterpiece of Russian literature that explores love, passion, society, and the search for meaning with unparalleled depth and beauty. First published in 1878, it remains as powerful and relevant today as the day it was written.

This Penguin Classics edition presents Tolstoy’s epic in a beautifully produced format, with an authoritative translation that captures the full richness of the original Russian text.

About the Story

Set in imperial Russia, the novel follows two intertwined narratives: the tragic story of Anna Karenina — a beautiful, married aristocrat who risks everything for a passionate love affair with the dashing Count Vronsky — and the parallel journey of Konstantin Levin, a landowner searching for purpose, faith, and happiness in a changing world. Together, these stories form a profound meditation on love, marriage, morality, and the human condition.

Why This Novel Endures

• Consistently ranked among the greatest novels in world literature
• A masterclass in character, psychology, and social observation
• Explores timeless themes of love, betrayal, class, faith, and freedom
• Tolstoy’s prose is immersive, compassionate, and utterly transporting
• The Penguin Classics edition features an authoritative translation and scholarly introduction

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” — The most famous opening line in all of literature.