Hey! I get it! This book is extremely long and if lengthy books are not your thing.... well... READ IT ANYWAY! This book reflects the time and the norms that are in some ways relevant and antiquated to our current way of life. Multiple times throughout the book the feminist within me wanted to scream; actually, a few times, I did. The themes of womanhood, love, society, faith, wealth, poverty, life, and death constantly vexed me.

Initially, I felt that the book was boring and had no end. However, the more I read, the more I understood the parallels between the characters and myself. Ignoring the moments in the book that were sexist, homophobic, and sexist, I kept on reading. The characters Anna Karenina and Lepin interested to me more than the others.

Anna had to make one tough decision after the other; every time she wanted to do something that gave her life meaning, a man, and society forbid her or took something away from her. This lead to her drug use, depression, and ultimately her death. Lepin was just going through the motions of life without actually living. Lepin constantly asked himself "who is God? what is life? who am I living for?" These are similar questions I am sure we all have asked ourselves once or twice. Only to find out that life is what you make of it, to serve yourself, and others.

This book put a lot of things into perspective on how I think about the decisions I make and people in my life. But, most importantly, how society tends to rain on your parade once you make a decision. This book is MUST read!