Set in Imperial Russia this book tells the tale of Russian nobility more specifically that of a fallen women. Im sure some people would like to hold her up as a hero in some regard and in truth elements of her are indeed heroic but at her core I saw her as an egocentric selfish women whom I probably would have fallen in love with. In the end I would say she was more a victim of her time than her circumstance. The character I enjoyed was Levin although from the noble class he hated society life and preferred to live and work in the country. He faced a similar duality I find in that when surrounded by civilization his morals and habits slip into self destruction but when out in the country his virtues and work ethic are beyond reproach. What I found most endearing about him was he was an atheist in an intellectual pursuit for salvation and God.

The book was masterfully written and engaging but essentially it had the same pitfalls I find with all books of that style and period.
1st- Russian Books are loooong. I understand that they were released in serialization so they are all in essence soap operas.
2nd- This Russo- Victorian period I find very un relatable and many of the male characters spastic and emotionally over the top.

Ultimately I picked the book up because it is held up as a Classic. I enjoyed elements of the book but in the end I felt it was the modern day equivalent of a soap opera. If you have a lot of time on your hands and think a forbidden love story in high society will keep you enthralled go ahead and swipe right. If your just looking to make interesting dinner conversation and impress learned mofos read the last 19 chapters or just get the cliff notes.

I am happy I read it but I wouldnt read it again.