Leo Tolstoy Books

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Leo Tolstoy books. Leo Tolstoy, one of the greatest writers in world literature, has inspired millions of people with his profound storytelling and deep philosophical insights.

This guide contains the complete list of Leo Tolstoy most famous works. So it's the ultimate Leo Tolstoy bibliography that can help you understand this great writer.

This guide explores the epic sweep of "War and Peace", the intense drama of "Anna Karenina", and the existential reflections in "The Death of Ivan Ilych". We delve into the themes, characters, and societal commentary that make Tolstoy books timeless classics. Whether you're a long-time admirer or discovering Tolstoy for the first time, this guide will ignite your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for his extraordinary contribution to literature.

In this guide, you can also find the links to the full text of some of Leo Tolstoy short stories.

What Were Leo Tolstoy's Most Famous Books?

"War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina" are Leo Tolstoy's most famous novels. "The Death of Ivan Ilych" is likely Tolstoy's most famous novella; though much shorter in length than his epic novels, it's a work of profound meaning. These three books are not only pillars of Russian literature but also revered globally for their depth, character development, and exploration of human nature. For these reasons, "War and Peace", "Anna Karenina", and "The Death of Ivan Ilych" are widely considered Leo Tolstoy's best books. Each of them showcases Tolstoy's mastery in depicting the complexities of life, society, and human emotions.

Leo Tolstoy Books List

Leo Tolstoy's literature spans many genres, including realist fiction and non-fiction. It showcases his storytelling mastery and philosophical depth. So here's a list of Leo Tolstoy books and other literary works, along with the years during which they were written, organized by type:

Novels

Tolstoy's novels are monumental works that delve deeply into the human condition, society, and morality. His best-known novels, "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina," are considered masterpieces of world literature.

Novellas

Tolstoy's novellas often explore the themes of personal growth and morality. They're concise yet impactful, showcasing his narrative brilliance.

I encourage you to read the full text of Father Sergius because it depicts the quest for spirituality.

Short Stories

Tolstoy's short stories are rich in moral and philosophical themes, often drawing on his own experiences and observations of life in Russia.

I encourage you to read the full text of After The Ball and Alyosha The Pot because they are great short stories.

Philosophical and Didactic Stories

These stories reflect Tolstoy's deep philosophical beliefs and his quest for spiritual truth. They often convey moral lessons and ethical dilemmas.

I encourage you to read the full text of How Much Land Does a Man Need? because this story teaches a moral lesson about greed.

Educational Literature

Tolstoy's contributions to educational literature were part of his efforts to reform education in Russia. These works aimed to provide practical and moral instruction.

Plays

Tolstoy's plays explore social and moral issues, often critiquing contemporary Russian society and the human condition.

Religious and Philosophical Works

Tolstoy's religious and philosophical works reflect his quest for spiritual enlightenment and his critiques of organized religion and state power.

Articles and Essays

Tolstoy's articles and essays cover a wide range of topics, from education and art to social reform and religion. They provide insight into his thoughts and beliefs.

Translations of Aesop's Fables

Tolstoy's translations of Aesop's fables brought these classic moral tales to a Russian audience, highlighting timeless lessons.

Letters

Leo Tolstoy's letters provide a personal glimpse into his thoughts on various subjects, including patriotism, social issues, and personal reflections. These letters reveal his deep engagement with the pressing concerns of his time and his efforts to influence public opinion and policy.

Diaries

Tolstoy's diaries offer an intimate look at his personal reflections, spiritual struggles, and daily life. They are a testament to his continuous quest for self-understanding and his thoughts on a wide range of topics, from personal to philosophical.

How Many Books Did Leo Tolstoy Write?

Leo Tolstoy wrote many literary works, including novels, novellas, short stories, plays, and philosophical essays. Thus, his literary output spans various genres and includes some of the most important and influential works in world literature. While the exact number can vary based on what is counted as a separate work, it's likely he wrote at least 40 major literary works.

War and Peace

"War and Peace" is a monumental epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, which he wrote between 1863 and 1869. The novel intricately weaves together various elements of historical, social, and philosophical narrative, presenting a detailed and profound portrayal of Russian society during the Napoleonic era.

The novel consists of four volumes and an epilogue, each corresponding to specific time periods and significant events:

Genre and Themes

"War and Peace" is an epic novel, distinguished by its vast scope and the magnitude of depicted historical events and themes. It incorporates elements of historical, social, philosophical, and battle novels, as well as memoirs and chronicles. The main theme is the historical fate of the Russian people during the Patriotic War of 1812. The novel features over 550 characters, both fictional and historical.

Tolstoy's philosophical views play a crucial role in the novel. He believed in the spontaneous, collective life of humanity, where history's success and failure depend on how well individuals embody the essence of historical events rather than their personal talents or wills.

Historical Context and Writing Process

The idea for "War and Peace" began long before Tolstoy started writing the text. Initially, he envisioned a story about a Decembrist returning to Russia with his family. However, he soon realized the need to begin the narrative in 1805 to fully understand the protagonist’s background.

Tolstoy returned to the story eight times, continuously revising and expanding it. He read chapters from the novel "The Decembrists" to Turgenev and communicated about his work on the novel to Alexander Herzen. However, the work was postponed several times until "War and Peace" was written between 1863 and 1869.

Critical Reception and Legacy

"War and Peace" is recognized by critics worldwide as one of the greatest epic works of modern European literature. The novel’s psychological portrayal of the Russian people is remarkable, with Tolstoy capturing both the high and base moods of the crowd. The novel's success and significance are reflected in its detailed depiction of historical events and characters.

Tolstoy's later skepticism towards his novels is well-documented. He expressed doubts about the importance of "War and Peace," yet acknowledged its impact and value. In 1906, he admitted to Japanese writer and philosopher Tokutomi Roka that "War and Peace" was his favorite work.

Anna Karenina

"Anna Karenina" is a masterpiece of realist literature by Leo Tolstoy, first published in 1877. This socially and philosophically rich novel explores the intricate lives of its characters, set against the backdrop of Russian aristocracy.

The novel belongs to the literary direction of realism. Tolstoy meticulously depicts the lives of ordinary people shaped by their environment, creating characters that reflect the personalities of people one might have encountered in that era. The genre of "Anna Karenina" is a socio-philosophical novel, blending Tolstoy's worldview on human life with his perspectives on the significant issues of 19th-century Russian society.

Plot Summary

The primary plot of the novel revolves around Anna Karenina, the wife of a high-ranking official in the privileged aristocratic society. She visits her sister-in-law Darya to help resolve a conflict with her irresponsible husband, Stepan Oblonsky. However, while saving her brother’s marriage, Anna jeopardizes her own.

Anna embarks on an affair with the young officer Alexei Vronsky. When she realizes she is pregnant, her husband, Alexei Karenin, decides to divorce her. However, witnessing her suffering during childbirth, he forgives her and even accepts the newborn child, willing to tolerate her infidelities and ensure her happiness.

Despite this, Anna continues to suffer in her marriage with a man she no longer loves, feeling ashamed of his sudden nobility. She flees abroad with Vronsky, leaving behind her beloved son and husband. Over time, the relationship between Anna and Vronsky begins to fracture. Isolated from society and denied access to her son by Karenin, Anna becomes increasingly desperate. Learning of Vronsky's mother's plans to marry him off, Anna, embittered and feeling abandoned, throws herself under a train and dies.

Parallel to Anna's story, Tolstoy explores the life of the provincial landowner Levin, depicting his marriage, family life, agricultural activities, and philosophical reflections. Through Levin, who serves as Tolstoy's alter ego, the novel answers many of the questions it raises, teaching us about a life of integrity, far removed from the corrupting influences of society.

Themes and Ideas

The central idea of the novel is Tolstoy's belief in the supremacy of "family thought" over "love thought." He argues that personal happiness cannot be built on the ruins of a family, as it inevitably leads to the suffering of many.

Tolstoy views family and its challenges as a ladder to understanding life's truth and one's place in the world, as exemplified by Levin's enlightenment. The main theme is the realization of Konstantin Levin, embodying Tolstoy's ideal of the family as a fundamental societal unit.

Social Issues

The novel addresses numerous complex issues, challenging to cover in a single article. Key among them is society's destructive influence. Tolstoy exposes the hypocrisy and double standards of aristocratic society, which tolerates the indiscretions of characters like Oblonsky and Vronsky while fiercely condemning Anna, destroying her life. This "brutal force" is personified by characters like Princess Betsy, who initially encourages Anna's affair with Vronsky only to later ostracize her, preventing Karenin from forgiving Anna and suggesting separation as the only solution.

Anna's Tragedy

Anna Karenina's quest for a love she had never known leads to her downfall. Despite her genuine virtue, she ends up a lonely, despised woman, dependent on sedatives. Society fails to understand her profound love, which transcends mere infidelity. In contrast, hidden affairs are respected, but open, honest love, leading to sacrifice, is scorned.

Search for Life's Meaning

Throughout the novel, Levin searches for his place in the world, grappling with existential despair. Even after marrying the woman he loves, he contemplates suicide due to his perceived lack of purpose. A sudden epiphany restores his inner peace, illustrating the struggle to find oneself and understand one's destiny.

The Death of Ivan Ilych

"The Death of Ivan Ilych" is a novella by Leo Tolstoy, which he worked on from 1882 to 1886, adding the final touches even during the proofreading stage. The story vividly describes the agonizing death of a mid-level judicial officer named Ivan Ilych Golovin.

Plot Summary

At the outset, the novella depicts officials discussing the news of their colleague Ivan Ilych's death. Each of them ponders what personal gain they can derive from his passing. Tolstoy uses this scene to highlight the selfishness of the "living dead" who strive to live "pleasantly and properly." This sets the stage for a detailed, naturalistic account of Ivan Ilych's illness and death: "The past history of Ivan Ilych's life was the simplest and most ordinary and therefore most terrible."

The author outlines the story of Ivan Ilych's "decent and pleasant" life, the pinnacle of which was the acquisition of a "charming little apartment". While trying to show the upholsterer how to hang curtains, Ivan Ilych falls off a ladder. This fall marks the beginning of his illness, initially manifesting as a dull pain in his side. Over time, it grows into relentless physical decay, although the diagnosis remains unknown.

As he breathes his last, Ivan Ilych sees a light before him and experiences true happiness. The guide of his soul to real life is Gerasim, a peasant who continues the gallery of Tolstoyan characters from the common folk. These characters are especially close to nature (such as the peasant from "Three Deaths" and Platon Karataev from "War and Peace").

Themes and Reflections

Ivan Ilych is portrayed as an ordinary, even commonplace person, like many others, with nothing to distinguish him from the multifaceted crowd. It's only on the threshold of death that he realizes his life was lived incorrectly, even in vain. He postponed too much, endured too much, and failed to do what he truly wanted.

Tolstoy delves into the emotional suffering that a person on the brink of death can endure. It is at this moment that one reconsiders all their actions, every step they took. But by then, it's impossible to change anything. Ivan Ilych can only agonizingly reflect on how his days passed meaninglessly, without joy, without friends, and without true unity with the world.

Conclusion

"The Death of Ivan Ilych" is a profound lesson on the importance of living a meaningful life. Don't postpone reading this novella because it can help you learn from Ivan Ilych's mistakes and fully understand the meaning of the phrase "tomorrow may never come."

What Was The Last Book Tolstoy Wrote?

"Resurrection" is Leo Tolstoy's last full-length novel. Based on a real court case, this profound work of fiction spans about 600 pages. Leo Tolstoy wrote Resurrection between 1889 and 1899, publishing it in 1899. Tolstoy's "Resurrection" shows a panoramic view of 19th century Russia from the highest to the lowest levels of society. It exposes the injustice of man-made laws and the hypocrisy of church. That novel conveys sharp criticism of church rites. So it became one of the reasons Russian Orthodox Church excommunicated Leo Tolstoy in 1901.

"Hadji Murat" is Leo Tolstoy's last novella; depending on the edition, it's between 160 and 200 pages. Leo Tolstoy wrote this novella between 1896 and 1904. However, "Hadji Murat" was published only two years after the great author's death, in the year 1912. Partially based on the memories from his youth, "Hadji Murat" explores the struggles of a Caucasian rebel fighter. That rebel fighter, due to the desire of personal revenge, forges an uneasy alliance with the Russians whom he has been fighting.

How Did Leo Tolstoy Comment On Society In His Books?

Leo Tolstoy books often contain insightful commentary about human society. Through his detailed portrayal of characters and their interactions, Tolstoy critiques the hypocrisy, moral shortcomings, and societal pressures of his time. In "Anna Karenina", for example, he exposes the double standards and destructive influence of aristocratic society. In "War and Peace," he reflects on the collective life of humanity and the forces that shape history, emphasizing the importance of moral strength. Thus, Tolstoy's insights turn his literature into a timeless exploration of human nature and social norms.