Showing results by author "Leo Tolstoy" in All Categories

Dive into the world of Anna Karenia, a timeless narrative that explores love, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships. Follow Anna as she navigates the challenges of society, passion, and self-discovery in a tale that resonates through the ages.

Dive into Youth, the captivating third installment of Tolstoys autobiographical trilogy, which includes Childhood and Boyhood. Originally published in a literary journal during the 1850s, this novel offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of youth and the journey to adulthood. (Introduction by Bill Boerst)

In The Death of Ivan Ilyitch, we follow the life of a socially ambitious middle-aged judge who suddenly finds himself grappling with a mysterious and terminal illness. As Ivan confronts the specter of death, he begins to question the very essence of his existence, pondering whether the life he believed to be morally sound was truly meaningful. This poignant novella, shaped by Tolstoys own spiritual awakening, is celebrated as one of his greatest works. (Summary by Laurie Anne Walden)

Resurrection stands as the final major work of fiction published by Tolstoy during his lifetime. With this poignant novel, Tolstoy shines a light on the injustices of man-made laws and the hypocrisy entrenched within institutionalized religion. Initially published in the magazine Niva to support the resettlement of the Dukhobors, the narrative follows nobleman Nekhlyudovs quest for redemption after a long-buried sin resurfaces. His fleeting affair with a maid, which led to her dismissal and subsequent fall into prostitution, haunts him as he grapples with guilt and strives to alleviate her ...

The publication of The Kreutzer Sonata in 1889 marked a pivotal moment in intellectual discourse around the globe. Censored in Russia, this provocative novella ignited passionate debates in Europe, America, and Asia about sexual abstinence and the hypocrisy surrounding marriage. Through its gripping narrative, Tolstoy presents his controversial views on sexuality, suggesting that physical desire can hinder genuine connections between men and women, often leading to tragic outcomes. Celebrated as a masterclass in storytelling, The Kreutzer Sonata remains one of Tolstoys most compelling works. (...

In Critique of Dogmatic Theology, Tolstoy embarks on a bold exploration of Orthodox Christianity, reflecting his deepening spiritual journey. This thoughtful work serves as both a systematic analysis and a heartfelt examination of religious beliefs and traditions. Following the groundwork laid in A Confession, Tolstoy presents the insights garnered from his thorough research and unflinching inquiry. This book invites readers to reconsider the foundations of faith and the complexities of spiritual life, making it a significant contribution to discussions on religion and belief. - Summary by ...

Dive into the striking contrasts of wealth and poverty in Tolstoys Russia with this engaging podcast. Through a vivid lens, we explore the deep-rooted causes of economic inequality and envision a more just society. Tolstoy recounts his unsettling experiences with extreme poverty in Moscow, initially believing that financial generosity could alleviate suffering—only to discover that the complexities of poverty are far more intricate. He reflects on the interconnectedness of the affluent, including himself, and the struggles of the less fortunate, revealing how this dynamic harms both sides. ...

Der 19-jährige Fürst Dmitri Nikolajitsch Nechljudow hat seine Universitätsstudien nach dem dritten Studienjahr abgebrochen. Mitja, wie der Fürst von seiner bald 50-jährigen Tante, der Gräfin Belorezkaja, gerufen wird, will sich fortan lieber vor Ort um das Wohl seiner siebenhundert leibeigenen Bauern kümmern und findet, dafür benötige er keinen Hochschulabschluss. Die Tante hält überhaupt nichts von den hochfliegenden Plänen des Neffen und belehrt den Jungen, die Armut einiger Bauern sei nun mal ein unvermeidliches Übel.

Part 6: Dolly, her children, and her mother, the Princess Shcherbatskaya, spend the summer with Kostya and Kitty. The couple's life is simple and unaffected, although Kostya is uneasy at the "invasion" of so many Shcherbatskys. He becomes extremely jealous when one of the visitors, Veslovsky, flirts openly with the pregnant Kitty. Kostya tries to overcome his jealousy, and briefly succeeds during a hunt with Veslovsky and Oblonsky, but eventually succumbs to his feelings and asks Veslovsky to leave. Veslovsky immediately goes to stay with Anna and Vronsky at their nearby estate.

Part 7: While visiting Moscow for Kitty's confinement, Kostya quickly gets used to the city's fast-paced, expensive and frivolous society life. He accompanies Stiva to a gentleman's club, where the two meet Vronsky. Kostya and Stiva pay a visit to Anna, who is occupying her empty days by being a patroness to an orphaned English girl. Kostya is initially uneasy about the visit, but Anna easily puts him under her spell. When he admits to Kitty that he has visited Anna, she accuses him of falling in love with her.

Part 8: Sergei Ivanovich's (Kostya's brother) latest book is ignored by readers and critics and he participates in the Russian commitment to Pan-Slavism. Stiva gets the post he desired so much, and Karenin takes custody of Vronsky and Anna's baby, Annie. A group of Russian volunteers, including the suicidal Vronsky, depart from Russia to fight in the Orthodox Serbian revolt that has broken out against the Turks, more broadly identified as the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878).

Part 1: Prince Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky ("Stiva"), a Moscow aristocrat and civil servant, has been unfaithful to his wife, Princess Darya Alexandrovna ("Dolly"). Dolly has discovered his affair with the family's governess, and the household and family are in turmoil. Stiva informs the household that his married sister, Anna Arkadyevna Karenina, is coming to visit from Saint Petersburg in a bid to calm the situation.

Part 3: Kostya continues working on his estate, a setting closely tied to his spiritual thoughts and struggles. He wrestles with the idea of falseness, wondering how he should go about ridding himself of it, and criticizing what he feels is falseness in others. He develops ideas relating to agriculture, and the unique relationship between the agricultural laborer and his native land and culture. He comes to believe that the agricultural reforms of Europe will not work in Russia because of the unique culture and personality of the Russian peasant.

Part 5: Kostya and Kitty marry and start their new life on his country estate. Although the couple are happy, they undergo a bitter and stressful first three months of marriage. Kostya feels dissatisfied at the amount of time Kitty wants to spend with him and dwells on his inability to be as productive as he was as a bachelor. When the marriage starts to improve, Kostya learns that his brother, Nikolai, is dying of consumption. Kitty offers to accompany Kostya on his journey to see Nikolai and proves herself a great help in nursing Nikolai.

Part 4: When Anna and Vronsky continue seeing each other, Karenin consults with a lawyer about obtaining a divorce. During the time period, a divorce in Russia could only be requested by the innocent party in an affair and required either that the guilty party confessed or that the guilty party be discovered in the act of adultery. Karenin forces Anna to hand over some of Vronsky's love letters, which the lawyer deems insufficient as proof of the affair. Stiva and Dolly argue against Karenin's drive for a divorce.

Part 1: Prince Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky ("Stiva"), a Moscow aristocrat and civil servant, has been unfaithful to his wife, Princess Darya Alexandrovna ("Dolly"). Dolly has discovered his affair with the family's governess, and the household and family are in turmoil. Stiva informs the household that his married sister, Anna Arkadyevna Karenina, is coming to visit from Saint Petersburg in a bid to calm the situation.

Part 2: The Shcherbatskys consult doctors over Kitty's health, which has been failing since Vronsky's rejection. A specialist advises that Kitty should go abroad to a health spa to recover. Dolly speaks to Kitty and understands she is suffering because of Vronsky and Kostya, whom she cares for and had hurt in vain. Kitty, humiliated by Vronsky and tormented by her rejection of Kostya, upsets her sister by referring to Stiva's infidelity, saying she could never love a man who betrayed her. Meanwhile, Stiva visits Kostya on his country estate while selling a nearby plot of land.

El Sitio de Sebastopol (título original en ruso, Севастопольские рассказы, Sevastopolskiye rasskazy) son tres relatos cortos escritos por León Tolstói y publicados en 1855 para documentar sus experiencias durante el sitio de Sebastopol (1854-1855). El nombre se refiere a Sebastopol, una ciudad en Crimea. Estos breves "esbozos" forman la base de muchos de los episodios de la obra maestra de Tolstói, Guerra y paz. - Summary by Phileas Fogg

Boyhood is a semi-autobiographical novel by Leo Tolstoy, recounting the early years of its protagonist, Nikolai Irtenev. As a sequel to Childhood, it explores Nikolai’s emotional and intellectual growth, capturing the joys, fears, and confusions of adolescence. Through vivid storytelling, Tolstoy delves into themes of love, self-doubt, and the struggle for moral integrity. The novel portrays family relationships, first crushes, and the pain of loss, offering deep psychological insight. With rich, introspective narration, Boyhood provides a glimpse into the shaping of a young mind, reflecting...

War and Peace is rightly considered to be one of the most important books ever written. Leo Tolstoy's epic novel chronicles the Napoleonic Wars from the viewpoint of five noble Russian families: Rostov, Bolkonsky, Bezukhov, Drubetskoy and Kuragin. The main story begins in 1805 with Napoleon's impending invasion of Austria, and ends with his disastrous retreat from Moscow in 1813, moving deftly between geopolitics, military strategy, family alliances, religion and philosophy as the men and women of these families try to survive and get ahead.