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The Cossacks and Other Stories

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( 857 ratings, 70 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Cossacks and Other Stories by Leo Tolstoy is a vivid portrayal of Russian society and the intimate dynamics within it. The collection delves into the lives of the Cossack people and explores themes of love, identity, and moral dilemmas. Through richly detailed narratives, Tolstoy examines the contrast between the simplicity of rural life and the complexities of human nature.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this collection if you're drawn to vivid tales of 19th-century Russia, where themes of love, conflict, and personal growth unfold against the backdrop of the Caucasus mountains. These stories offer a deep dive into human nature, morality, and the struggles of individuals within society, perfect for those who appreciate introspective and philosophically rich narratives.

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In 1851, at the age of twenty-two, Tolstoy joined the Russian army and travelled to the Caucasus as a soldier. Begun in 1852 but unfinished for a decade, "The Cossacks" describes the experiences of Olenin, a young cultured Russian who comes to despise civilization after spending time with the wild Cossack people.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Part of the Penguin Classics' fresh new editions of Tolstoy's major works - including Antony Briggs' stunning new translation of War and Peace.

In 1851, at the age of twenty-two, Tolstoy joined the Russian army and travelled to the Caucasus as a soldier. The four years that followed were among the most significant in his life, and deeply influenced the stories collected here.

Begun in 1852 but unfinished for a decade, The Cossacks describes the experiences of Olenin, a young cultured Russian who comes to despise civilization after spending time with the wild Cossack people.

Sevastopol Sketches, based on Tolstoy's own experiences of the siege of Sevastopol in 1854-55, is a compelling consideration of the nature of war, while Hadji Murat, written towards the end of his life, returns to the Caucasus of Tolstoy's youth to explore the life of a great leader torn apart by a conflict of loyalties. Written at the end of the nineteenth century, it is amongst the last and greatest of Tolstoy's shorter works.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Cossacks and Other Stories is often praised for its vivid depiction of Russian life and the deep philosophical questions it explores. Many reviews highlight Tolstoy's ability to create complex, relatable characters and provide insight into human nature and society. Readers frequently note the compelling portrayal of the titular Cossacks and the evocative descriptions of the Russian landscape, making it an engaging and thought-provoking read.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140449594

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 September 2006

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by David McDuff
  • Introduction by Paul Foote
  • Translated by David McDuff

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 362g

Pages: 528

About the Author

Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828 - 1910) was a Russian novelist, social reformer, pacifist, and moral thinker. Tolstoy is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all novelists, particularly noted for his masterpieces War and Peace and Anna Karenina; in Paul Foote was, until his retirement, a University Lecturer in Russian and Fellow of the Queen's College, Oxford. David McDuff was educated at the University of Edinburgh and has translated a number of works for Penguin Classics, including Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov.

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