Any Tolstoy fans out there?

[Titanoboa92]

I loved the book Anna Karenina. It was full of good characters. Her brother was a really interesting character, I thought. He cheated on his wife but somehow managed to be completely lovable to the reader. Most authors wouldn't be able to pull off a character like that.

[qwietstorm]

Tolstoys "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" is a very moving novella. I like how he conveyed the contrast between the artificial life vs the authentic life. It is food for thought for even people living in modern society. There are still people in this world, that feel as if success and wealth define living a happy life, as Ivan did momentarily. However, it took illness and suffering for him to get a grasp on an authentic life; which in essence is more meaningful than the artificial life.

[laurieminer3]

Im currently reading War and Peace by Tolstoy and how captivating it is.

[flaming_quills]

I tried to read War and Peace sometime last year but for some reason I couldn't get past the first chapter. Not sure if I should try again.

[Nikolas Farmakis]

I think Tolstoy is a great author, and I want to read some of his books in the future.

[tjportugal]

Hey
I read Family Happiness because of the author (I didn't know anything about the book). I have to say that I was disappointed. But I'm convinced that Anna Karenina will fix that.

[Bigwig1973]

Tolstoy was part of the reason I changed my major from literature to philosophy. I checked out the types of literature philosophy majors read and as Tolstoy was included, I decided to opt for that instead. I think at that time I had only read War and Peace, Anna Karenina, The Cossacks and the Raid, and The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Maybe "Master and Man". I'm not sure what exactly it is that I like so much about his writing. It almost has a Melville sort of feel but it feels somber and sad and serious - almost as if he had been hurt or he was tired or angry. Strange but interesting. I didn't know anything about him when I started reading him; I've since learned more about him.

[MrsTurner2013]

I have never had the pleasure of reading his work. I am very intrigued. Let me ask you something: If you could describe his work in one sentence, what would it be?

[aby johnson]

War and Peace or Anna Karenina , which should i read first?

[Lhammamy]

I totally agree with you. I've enjoyed lots of Tolstoy's books along my life just like war and peace and the Resurrection.

[Laura P 2]

I am currently reading Anna Karenina but I am so stuck... I got sick of reading about grain cutting. Where is that promised the greatest love story of all time? I've read more than 300 pages and still, I do not feel involved with the book at all. :/

[Bigwig1973]

I am currently reading Anna Karenina but I am so stuck... I got sick of reading about grain cutting. Where is that promised the greatest love story of all time? I've read more than 300 pages and still, I do not feel involved with the book at all. :/

It gets better/worse.

[Kajol Dadhania]

I have been meaning to read Anna Karenina, but the length of the book scares me. I usually avoid long classics.

[TolsyoyFan]

For those reading Tolstoy for the first time, try starting with his short stories. Father Sergius is fast moving and captures what Tolstoy does best, in my opinion— deep character introspection and character redemption. It gets a little weird at the end but is a great story.

[Michael Adam Glidden Forteski]

Tolstoy and Dostoevsky often get lumped together, but they are both so different from each other. I truly admire both and have a special place in my heart for both.