The Cossacks

· Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
201
Pages
Eligible
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About this ebook

"The Cossacks" is believed to be somewhat autobiographical, partially based on Tolstoy's experiences in the Caucasus during the last stages of the Caucasian War. Disenchanted with his privileged life in Russian society, nobleman Dmitri Olenin joins the army as a cadet, in the hopes of escaping the superficiality of his daily life. On a quest to find "completeness," he naively hopes to find serenity among the "simple" people of the Caucasus. In an attempt to immerse himself in the local culture, he befriends an old man. They drink wine, curse, and hunt pheasant and boar in the Cossack tradition, and Olenin even begins to dress in the manner of a Cossack. He forgets himself and falls in love with the young Maryanka, in spite of her fiancee Lukashka. While spending life as a Cossack, he learns lessons about his own inner life, moral philosophy, and the nature of reality. He also understand the intricacies of human psychology and nature. (Excerpt from Wikipedia)

About the author

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) stands as a towering figure in world literature, renowned for his profound exploration of human nature and society. Born into Russian aristocracy, Tolstoy's early life was marked by privilege, yet he was deeply affected by the suffering he witnessed around him. This duality fueled his literary genius and moral inquiries.Tolstoy's literary contributions are monumental, with works like "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina" offering intricate portrayals of Russian life and the human condition. His narrative style, characterized by deep psychological insight and philosophical depth, has influenced countless writers, from Virginia Woolf to James Joyce.However, Tolstoy's significance extends beyond literature. He was a vocal critic of institutionalized religion and the state, advocating for a return to a simpler, more spiritual way of life. His later years were marked by a radical transformation, embracing pacifism, Christian anarchism, and asceticism. These revolutionary ideas inspired figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., cementing his legacy as a thinker who transcended the written word.Controversially, Tolstoy's rejection of his aristocratic roots and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Sofia, added a dramatic flair to his life story. His relentless quest for truth and authenticity, often at odds with societal norms, continues to captivate modern readers, making him not just a literary icon, but a timeless beacon of moral and philosophical inquiry.

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