All posts tagged Leo Tolstoy

Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (9 September 1828 – 20 November 1910), usually referred to in English as Leo Tolstoy, was a Russian writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential authors of all time.

—Wikipedia

The Kreutzer Sonata

Published on March 1, 2025

Leo Tolstoy’s The Kreutzer Sonata is not only a profound exploration of marriage, jealousy, and the destructive power of unchecked desire but also a deeply personal work that reflects Tolstoy’s struggles and philosophical evolution. Framed as a conversation overheard on a train, the novella centers on the confession of Pozdnyshev, a man who recounts the tragic unraveling of his life and marriage. His story serves as a critique of societal norms, particularly those surrounding relationships, sexuality, and the institution of...

The Death of Ivan Ilyich

Published on January 22, 2014

Leo Tolstoy wrote and published the novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich in 1886. It tells the story of Ivan Ilyich, a high-ranking Russian bureaucrat, and his gradual realization of his own mortality as he faces a terminal illness. The novella begins with the news of Ivan Ilyich’s death, which prompts his colleagues to reflect on their own mortality briefly before resuming their daily lives. The narrative then shifts back in time to explore Ivan Ilyich’s life and the events...