The Death of Ivan Ilych (ePub)

Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, known as Leo Tolstoy, was a towering figure in Russian literature and one of the greatest authors of all time. Born to an aristocratic Russian family in 1828 in Yasnaya Polyana, his literary works encompass a vast range of human experiences and spiritual depth. Tolstoy's writing is characterized by a unique blend of philosophical insights and detailed observations of 19th-century Russian society. His masterpiece, 'War and Peace' (1869), encapsulates the complexities of Russian society against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, while 'Anna Karenina' (1878) deals with issues of love, family, and politics. The novella 'The Death of Ivan Ilych' (1886), offers a profound examination of the human condition, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. Tolstoy's approach is often marked by a stark realism combined with a deep moral and ethical exploration, a combination that has influenced both his contemporaries and future generations. In addition to fiction, Tolstoy also penned essays and philosophical treatises, including 'The Kingdom of God Is Within You' (1894), where he outlines his anarchistic views on society and government. He died in 1910, leaving behind a legacy that endures through his extensive body of work as a novelist, essayist, and social reformer.