Study Guide to Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

A comprehensive study guide offering in-depth explanation, essay, and test prep for Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, which he claimed as his first true novel despite having written several before it.


As an 1877 realist novel, Anna Karenina follows a Russian wife in the midst of a love affair, who risks all she has for a lover. Moreover, Tolstoy discusses the betrayal by weaving in themes such as forgiveness, social class, and jealousy. This Bright Notes Study Guide explores the context and history of Tolstoy’s classic work, helping students to thoroughly explore the reasons it has stood the literary test of time. Each Bright Notes Study Guide contains:


- Introductions to the Author and the Work

- Character Summaries

- Plot Guides

- Section and Chapter Overviews

- Test Essay and Study Q&As


The Bright Notes Study Guide series offers an in-depth tour of more than 275 classic works of literature, exploring characters, critical commentary, historical background, plots, and themes. This set of study guides encourages readers to dig deeper in their understanding by including essay questions and answers as well as topics for further research.