Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy

This is a classic story of adultery when adultery was adultery, when it had earthly consequences, told by a classic storyteller. It is a classic tragedy of marriage turned sour and clandestine romance set in late nineteenth century Russia, principally in St Petersburg and Moscow, and including the rustic countryside.
The tale features two beautiful women intertwined with three resourceful gentlemen. Anna Karenina is a heroine caught in a nondescript union with Karenin who finds himself increasingly disenchanted with his wife who seeks the charms of a vibrant suitor, the Count Vronsky, with whom she absconds, leaving her adored son behind. It is only a matter of time before this tryst develops a bitter taste.
Kitty, heroine as well, finds herself jilted in her courtship with Vronsky before he buckles under the charms of Anna. Kitty settles for the love of Levin who suffered an earlier rebuff from her, she then hoping for the hand of the Count.
Tolstoy loves to detail frivolous city life with many interesting, and sometimes delightful, secondary characters, many as relatives, juxtaposed with the meaningful country life of hard working peasants, who display a more meaningful relationship with life.
Tolstoy delves into the mind and soul of Levin at length, transforming him into the true hero of this true classic.