Which novel begins with the famous line: “All happy families are alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”?

Correct option is A

Explanation:

The correct answer is Anna Karenina. This iconic opening line is from Leo Tolstoy’s masterpiece Anna Karenina, published in 1877.

The line encapsulates one of the major philosophical themes of the novel — the complexity and uniqueness of personal suffering within domestic life. Tolstoy sets the tone for a novel deeply entrenched in psychological realism and moral dilemmas, reflecting on marriage, fidelity, and family life.

This first sentence is not merely introductory—it has become one of the most frequently quoted lines in world literature, often used in discussions of domestic and emotional dysfunction. It points to the universal nature of happiness versus the multifaceted, unique expressions of familial misery.

Information Booster:

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910), a Russian novelist and one of the greatest literary figures in world literature.

Serialized from 1875 to 1877 and then published in book form in 1877.

Anna Karenina tells the story of the doomed love affair between the beautiful, aristocratic Anna and the charming officer Count Vronsky.

Set against a backdrop of Russian high society, the novel explores themes such as the constraints of social expectations, the conflict between desire and duty, and the role of women in 19th-century Russian society.

The novel also presents a parallel story of Konstantin Levin, whose spiritual and agrarian journey contrasts with Anna’s tragic decline.

Narrative Style: Third-person omniscient, blending deep psychological insight with a realist portrayal of Russian life.

The novel remains a seminal work in the canon of world literature, admired for its rich characterizations and philosophical underpinnings. It also exemplifies Tolstoy’s ability to combine the personal and the political, the romantic and the moral.

Additional Knowledge:

War and Peace:
Another monumental work by Leo Tolstoy, it begins with a conversation in French at a social gathering. It explores themes of war, history, and human destiny during the Napoleonic Wars.

Nineteen Eighty-Four:
Written by George Orwell, this dystopian novel begins with “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” It critiques totalitarian regimes and explores surveillance and propaganda.

Jane Eyre:
Written by Charlotte Brontë, this gothic and bildungsroman novel opens with: “There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.” It deals with themes of identity, independence, and morality.