Painting of Leo Tolstoy

Timeline

Lifetime: 1828 - 1910 Passed: ≈ 113 years ago

Title

Novelist, Short Story Writer, Playwright, Essayist

Country/Nationality

Russia
Wikipedia

Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy was a significant figure in Russian literature, known for his novels "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina." These works are celebrated examples of realist fiction, examining human experiences and themes such as love, loss, societal pressures, and the search for meaning. Tolstoy's influence extended beyond literature; he was a thinker who addressed social injustices and developed his own philosophical and religious beliefs, which both inspired and challenged his contemporaries.

Tolstoy's Critique of Society

Although Tolstoy came from an aristocratic background, he became disillusioned with the inequalities in Russian society. His military service during the Crimean War exposed him to violence and the struggles of the lower classes, which influenced his social awareness and writing. Characters in his works, like Ivan Ilyich, question the emptiness of their privileged lives.

Vladimir Lenin, a communist leader, recognized Tolstoy's portrayal of the peasantry's issues but criticized his solutions, such as non-violent resistance, as insufficient. Lenin believed Tolstoy's revolutionary ideas lacked a concrete plan to dismantle the existing system and establish a socialist one.

Leo Tolstoy's Legacy

Tolstoy's ideas had a significant impact, particularly on Mahatma Gandhi, who was inspired by Tolstoy's principles of non-resistance to evil. Gandhi incorporated these ideas into his philosophy of Satyagraha, a form of non-violent resistance that was crucial in India's fight for independence.

Tolstoy's literary influence endures, with his works being adapted for film and television and continuing to provoke discussion and inspire readers. A silent film recording of Tolstoy from 1901 highlights his lasting cultural significance, despite the film itself being surrounded by mystery.

Conclusion

Leo Tolstoy was a literary giant and a social critic who challenged the status quo. His complex views continue to spark debates and inspire social change. Through his enduring literary legacy and the influence of his ideas on figures like Gandhi, Tolstoy's impact on the world remains significant.

Books by Leo Tolstoy

The Coffee house of Surat Cover image

The Coffee house of Surat

Philosophy Religion
Debate Ecumenism Tolerance Arrogance Divine

It is set in the Indian city of Surat, which was a major port and commercial center during the colonial period. The story centers on a group of travelers who meet at a coffee house in Surat and discuss their experiences and observations of the city....

War and Peace, Book 01: 1805 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 01: 1805

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published serially, then published in its entirety in 1869. It is regarded as one of Tolstoy's finest literary achievements and remains an internationally praised classic of world lite...

Anna Karenina Cover image

Anna Karenina

Romance Fiction History Novel
Love Realism Death

Leo Tolstoy’s psychological novel Anna Karenina follows the life of the enchanting and rebellious Anna who seeks to break free from the shackles of society. Set in late 19th century Russia, Anna is portrayed as an ideal, cultivated aristocratic wife,...

Childhood Cover image

Childhood

Fiction Memoir Biography
Autobiography

Childhood is the first published novel by Leo Tolstoy, released under the initials L. N. in the November 1852 issue of the popular Russian literary journal The Contemporary.

War and Peace, Book 02: 1805 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 02: 1805

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russki Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other bein...

War and Peace, Book 03: 1805 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 03: 1805

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russki Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other bein...

War and Peace, Book 04: 1806 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 04: 1806

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published serially, then published in its entirety in 1869. It is regarded as one of Tolstoy's finest literary achievements and remains an internationally praised classic of world lite...

War and Peace, Book 05: 1806-1807 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 05: 1806-1807

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published serially, then published in its entirety in 1869. It is regarded as one of Tolstoy's finest literary achievements and remains an internationally praised classic of world lite...

War and Peace, Book 06: 1808-1810 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 06: 1808-1810

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russki Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other bein...

War and Peace, Book 07: 1810-1811 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 07: 1810-1811

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russki Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other bein...

War and Peace, Book 08: 1811-1812 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 08: 1811-1812

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russki Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other bein...

War and Peace, Book 09: 1812 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 09: 1812

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russki Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other bein...

War and Peace, Book 10: 1812 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 10: 1812

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russki Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other bein...

War and Peace, Book 11: 1812 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 11: 1812

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life

War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russki Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other bein...

War and Peace, Book 12: 1812 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 12: 1812

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life Invasion

War and Peace is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published serially, then published in its entirety in 1869. It is regarded as one of Tolstoy's finest literary achievements and remains an internationally praised classic of world lite...

War and Peace, Book 13: 1812 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 13: 1812

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life Invasion

War and Peace is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published serially, then published in its entirety in 1869. It is regarded as one of Tolstoy's finest literary achievements and remains an internationally praised classic of world lite...

War and Peace, Book 14: 1812 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 14: 1812

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life Invasion

War and Peace is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published serially, then published in its entirety in 1869. It is regarded as one of Tolstoy's finest literary achievements and remains an internationally praised classic of world lite...

War and Peace, Book 15: 1812-1813 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 15: 1812-1813

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life Invasion

War and Peace is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published serially, then published in its entirety in 1869. It is regarded as one of Tolstoy's finest literary achievements and remains an internationally praised classic of world lite...

War and Peace, Book 16: First Epilogue 1813-1820 Cover image

War and Peace, Book 16: First Epilogue 1813-1820

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life Invasion

War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russki Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other bein...

War and Peace, Book 17: Second Epilogue Cover image

War and Peace, Book 17: Second Epilogue

History Novel
Inheritance Misogyny Intricacies of life Invasion

War and Peace is an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russki Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other bein...

What Men Live By and Other Tales Cover image

What Men Live By and Other Tales

Fiction
Short Stories

"What Men Live By" is a short story written by Russian author Leo Tolstoy in 1885. It is one of the short stories included in his collection What Men Live By, and Other Tales, published in 1885. The compilation also included the written pieces "The T...

The Kingdom of God is Within You Cover image

The Kingdom of God is Within You

Religion
Anarchism Christian Theology

The Kingdom of God Is Within You is a non-fiction book written by Leo Tolstoy. A Christian anarchist philosophical treatise, the book was first published in Germany in 1894 after being banned in his home country of Russia. It is the culmination of 30...

Resurrection Cover image

Resurrection

Fiction Novel
Philosophical fiction Misery

Resurrection, first published in 1899, was the last novel written by Leo Tolstoy. Also translated as The Awakening. The book is the last of his major long fiction works published in his lifetime. Tolstoy intended the novel as an exposition of the inj...

The Slavery of Our Times Cover image

The Slavery of Our Times

Political Science Non-Fiction
Governments Culture Freedom Laws

This little book shows, in a short, clear, and systematic manner, how the principle of Non-Resistance, about which Tolstoy has written so much, is related to economic and political life.

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