ANNA KARENINA by LEO TOLSTOY

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A must read for every emerging writer, "Anna Karenina" (1878) is one of the most famous classics of all times. Together with "War and Peace" is considered the masterpiece by Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910). First appeared as a series of installments in a local periodical, "Anna Karenina" is an accurate snapshot of the Russian society of the time, it's been labelled as realist fiction.

The love story between married aristocrat Anna Karenina and a young affluent bachelor, Count Vronsky, unravels in a slow tale packed with female feelings and male rational thinking. Two more love stories run parallel to the main one: Levin, a country land owner who despises the city life, is desperately in love with naive Kitty, the little sister of Dolly, who is in turn the mother of three and betrayed wife of Anna's brother, Stephan.

"Anna Karenina" is the perfect book for the summer, when there's time and space enough to focus on the many characters and intrigues created by Tolstoy's imagination. Leo Tolstoy used his novels to express his ideas on various subjects like politics, war, religion, economy. His characters speak the author's mind and doubts, discussing between themselves different point of views and solutions. In the 1870s Leo Tolstoy went through a moral crisis and spiritual awakening and his novels reflect this inner turmoil.

I personally had trouble identifying with the character of Anna as a woman, and maybe for this reason I didn't feel the same attachment for this novel as I felt for "War and Peace". Still, I'm glad I read this masterpiece and I can add it to my classics library.

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LONG WALK TO FREEDOM by NELSON MANDELA

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"It always seems impossible until it's done" - Nelson Mandela

Growing up in the 80's I remember hearingthe name Nelson Mandela every now and the then in the news, in association with the terms Apartheid and Fight against Racism.

One day in the mid 90's that name became a symbol of victory and hope for freedom and justice. Released after 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela talked to his people and published his biography specifying that the battle was not over, there was still a long walk to freedom.

From 1994 to 1999 Nelson Mandela was President of South Africa and he remained involved in the World's politics until his death in 2013.

When I approached "Long Walk to Freedom" I feared the dates and facts would be overwhelming for a person like me who is not into politics and know pretty much nothing about South Africa. I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself reading a humble, felt tale of a down-to-earth man, admitting how he never actually decided to be a hero and how he regrets not having being present for his family as he wished. Nelson Mandela speaks of hope and beliefs that never faltered, not even when denied to receive visits from his family or attend his own son's funeral.

I recommend this significant and moving biography of a man who believed freedom is a natural right for everyone.

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THE WENDY DILEMMA by DAN KILEY

The Wendy Dilemma: When Women Stop Mothering Their Men by Dan Kiley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bestselling author of "The Peter Pan Syndrome", Dan Kiley wrote a second self-help book in 1984 called "The Wendy Dilemma" addressed to women who want to stop mothering their men.
Thirty years later, Dan Kiley theory is still actual and compelling, as women's role in society changed but feelings of inferiority and low self-confidence persist.
I started reading "The Peter Pan Syndrome" and "The Wendy Dilemma" as part of external research for a non-fiction book I meant to write before realizing someone else had already published my very same idea in 2011. Luckily I chose not to interrupt the reading and found myself clearly depicted in some of the examples offered from the author of women struggling to find themselves and express their feelings in appropriate ways.
The first part of the book explains who Wendy is, her characteristics and the reasons for them. There is a simple test to help the readers understand how much of a Wendy is hidden in each one of us.
The second half of the book helps Wendy to become a Tinker, by accepting oneself, overcoming through right behaviors an old sense of inferiority, and eventually set free from wrong relationships.
Dan Kiley has a simple, down-to-earth style with lots of examples taken from his daily practice with patients.
The book also offers a list of helpful readings for further support.

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