Leo Tolstoy Quote: "All happy families resemble one another; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

Question

Can you please advise the origin (or context) of the above-referenced quotation attributed to the writer Leo Tolstoy. Does it come from one of his writings--either fiction or non-fiction? Also, what was going on in his personal life at the time this statement was made by Tolstoy?

Any and all scholarly or literary/historical references would be appreciated, either found in online or offline (hard-copy) resources.

In summary, I am trying to understand exactly what motivated Count Leo Tolstoy (who came from the Russian upper class and lived a long, fulling, productive life) to make this statement in the first place.

Answer 1

It's the first line from his novel 'Anna Karenina'. Many of the themes of that work are sourced from his own life experience and can be found in his nonfiction work 'Confession'. Both of these are public domain works and copies can be found online at the links provided below. Hope this is of use.

Answer 2

Tolstoy Family Quote

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Leo Tolstoy Quote: "All happy families resemble one another; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."
Can you please advise the origin (or context) of the above-referenced quotation attributed to the writer Leo Tolstoy. Does it come from one of his writings--either fiction or non-fiction? Also, what was going on in his personal life at the time this statement was made by Tolstoy?

Any and all...

Answer 4

It is the first sentence in Leo Tolstoy' s famous book Anna Karenina. The sameness of families in their happiness and varying kinds and degrees of unhappiness.