Anna Karenina by Leo TolstoyAll happy families are alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in their own way. (First 14 words of the novel)
Oh my goodness, I love Tolstoy. He is mostly the reason why I changed my educational goals from a primarily math/science and business orientation to a literature/arts and writing orientation. A lot of the influence that fueled the change in me started with this line. It's relatively simple, but it causes one to reflect. He started his second of three novels, Anna Karenina after War and Peace, with this line and then spent the next 800 pages depicting 3 or 4 family units that support his opening statement.
I really liked his style of writing, it always makes the reader reflect on their own life and how they can improve and find joy in the simply ordinary tasks of life. In War and Peace he depicts his characters so well that you feel like they are real and even your friends now and today. You're constantly thinking about who you most resemble, Andre the outstanding war hero or Pier the rich, educated man with high ambitions though it plagued with failure. In Anna Karenina you wonder who you want to more better resemble in a relationship, Vronsky and Anna with their drama and ever-changing views of one another or Levin and Dolly with their simple, ordinary, boring, loving relationship. It seems that after his novels and after considerable reflection that Tolstoy teaches the reader and everyone that mediocre and simple lives and relationships are the ones that are most important to mankind. He exploits the beauty of happiness, of love, and of accomplishments and shows that these only come about with work and a better understanding of what they are.
A 300-page essay, entitled What is Art?, that he wrote later on in his life solidified these thoughts. He compared major works of art (painting, sculptures, and writing) to life itself. He stated something along the lines that life is not governed or defined by major events, such as weddings, graduations, parties etc. but in the small changes and the small details; therein lies the true beauty. Through his writing he has taught me to be more reflective and to enjoy the "simpleness" that every day brings.
This is an excellent post! I like that you focused on the first 14 words of the novel as an illustration of W&R ch. 8's point that the author's voice leaps out from the first words written on the page. Your thoughts about relationships also remind me of my dad and my father-in-law; by others' standards, they are not thrilling, spontaneous, or exciting. But they are steady and dependable and hard workers, and that's what's been most important in the long run.
ReplyDeleteThis book is on my bucket list now. Thank you!