What Is Art and Essays on Art

What Is Art and Essays on Art
Author: Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy
Publisher: Read Books Ltd
Total Pages: 327
Release: 2020-10-16
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1528769643

Originally published in 1930, this book contains the widely respected essay 'What Is Art', by the well-known Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, and is highly recommended for inclusion on the bookshelf of any fan of his works. Many of these earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Tolstoy's Art and Thought, 1847-1880

Tolstoy's Art and Thought, 1847-1880
Author: Donna Tussing Orwin
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 283
Release: 2013-05-16
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 140082088X

"My aim is to present Tolstoy's work as he may have understood it himself," writes Donna Orwin. Reconstructing the intellectual and psychic struggles behind the masterpieces of his early and middle age, this major study covers the period during which he wrote The Cossacks, War and Peace, and Anna Karenina. Orwin uses the tools of biography, intellectual and literary history, and textual analysis to explain how Tolstoy's tormented search for moral certainty unfolded, creating fundamental differences among the great novels of the "pre-crisis" period. Distinguished by its historical emphasis, this book demonstrates that the great novelist, who had once seen a fundamental harmony between human conscience and nature's vitality, began eventually to believe in a dangerous rift between the two: during the years discussed here, Tolstoy moved gradually from a celebration of life to instruction about its moral dimensions. Paying special attention to Tolstoy's reading of Rousseau, Goethe, Schopenhauer, and the Russian thinker N. N. Strakhov, Orwin also explores numerous other influences on his thought. In so doing, she shows how his philosophical and emotional conflicts changed form but continued unabated--until, with his religious conversion of 1880, he surrendered his long attempt to make sense of life through art alone.

Tolstoy

Tolstoy
Author: Rosamund Bartlett
Publisher: HMH
Total Pages: 581
Release: 2011-11-08
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0547545878

This biography of the brilliant author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina “should become the first resort for everyone drawn to its titanic subject” (Booklist, starred review). In November 1910, Count Lev Tolstoy died at a remote Russian railway station. At the time of his death, he was the most famous man in Russia, more revered than the tsar, with a growing international following. Born into an aristocratic family, Tolstoy spent his existence rebelling against not only conventional ideas about literature and art but also traditional education, family life, organized religion, and the state. In “an epic biography that does justice to an epic figure,” Rosamund Bartlett draws extensively on key Russian sources, including fascinating material that has only become available since the collapse of the Soviet Union (Library Journal, starred review). She sheds light on Tolstoy’s remarkable journey from callow youth to writer to prophet; discusses his troubled relationship with his wife, Sonya; and vividly evokes the Russian landscapes Tolstoy so loved and the turbulent times in which he lived.

The Complete Works of Tolstoy

The Complete Works of Tolstoy
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 6712
Release: 2023-12-29
Genre: Literary Collections
ISBN:

The Complete Works of Tolstoy encompasses a wide range of genres including novels, short stories, and essays, showcasing Tolstoy's masterful storytelling and profound insights into human nature. Known for his realistic portrayal of Russian society in the 19th century, Tolstoy's literary style is characterized by detailed character development and philosophical themes. This collection provides readers with a comprehensive look into the mind of one of the greatest writers of all time. Each work offers a unique perspective on love, war, and the search for meaning in life. Tolstoy's works continue to be studied and revered for their enduring relevance in today's world. Leo Tolstoy, a Russian novelist and philosopher, drew inspiration from his own experiences and beliefs to create timeless works of literature that have resonated with readers for generations. His strong convictions on pacifism and social justice are prominent themes throughout his writing, reflecting his commitment to addressing the complexities of the human condition. I highly recommend The Complete Works of Tolstoy to any reader interested in exploring the depths of human emotion and societal issues through the eyes of a literary giant. This collection is a must-read for anyone looking to expand their literary horizons and engage with thought-provoking literature.

Tolstoi: Art and Influence

Tolstoi: Art and Influence
Author:
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2023-01-23
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 9004533435

Editors Robert Reid and Joe Andrew present eleven contributions by international scholars which highlight Tolstoi’s influence on his contemporaries and posterity through his fiction and thought. A figure of Tolstoi’s intellectual stature has naturally inspired an impressive range of responses. These encompass stage versions of his novels (War and Peace and Resurrection), communes founded in his name, and translations which have sought to capture the essence of his works for successive generations. Tolstoi is also compared in this volume with his contemporaries in chapters on Dostoevskii, Veselitsakaia, Rozanov and Elizabeth Gaskell. The reader of this work will gain new and unique insights into an unparalleled genius of world literature, especially into his immense cultural reach which continues to this day. Contributors: Carol Apollonio, Katherine Jane Briggs, Elena Govor, Nel Grillaert, Susan Layton, Cynthia Marsh, Henrietta Mondry, Richard Peace, Alexandra Smith, Olga Sobolev, Willem Weststeijn, Kevin Windle.

WHAT IS ART? & WHEREIN IS TRUTH IN ART? (Meditations on Aesthetics & Literature)

WHAT IS ART? & WHEREIN IS TRUTH IN ART? (Meditations on Aesthetics & Literature)
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 469
Release: 2024-01-11
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN:

Leo Tolstoy's book 'What is Art? & Wherein is Truth in Art?' is a profound exploration of the role of art in society, delving into the essence of true artistic expression. Written in a philosophical and contemplative style, Tolstoy challenges traditional notions of art and beauty, arguing that true art must serve a moral purpose and connect with universal truths. Through a series of meditations on aesthetics and literature, Tolstoy urges readers to seek a deeper understanding of art beyond mere decoration or entertainment. Drawing inspiration from his own experiences as a renowned novelist, Tolstoy offers a unique insight into the power of art to transform and uplift the human spirit. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the philosophical underpinnings of art and its significance in shaping society.

Death of Ivan Ilych

Death of Ivan Ilych
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Publisher: Alma Books
Total Pages: 193
Release: 2018-01-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 184749238X

The judge Ivan Ilyich Golovin has spent his life in the pursuit of wealth and status, devoting himself obsessively to work and often neglecting his family in the process. When, after a small accident, he fails to make the expected recovery, it gradually becomes clear that he is soon to die. Ivan Ilyich then starts to question the futility and barrenness of his previous existence, realizing to his horror, as he grapples with the meaning of life and death, that he is totally alone.Included in this volume is another celebrated novella by Tolstoy, The Devil, which addresses the conflicts between desire, social norms and personal conscience, providing at the same time a further exploration of human fear and obsession.