Leo Tolstoy (Zhizn Lva Tolstogo)

Leo Tolstoy has long been a hallmark of Russian culture, but in contemporary Russia, his perception is often clouded by stereotypes stemming from the Soviet tradition, school teaching, and the desire to contrast Tolstoy the artist with Tolstoy the thinker. Yet, today, Tolstoy is strikingly relevant: the idea of ​​nonviolent resistance, vegetarianism, downshifting, the demand for conscientious objection, the fight for environmental protection, his attitude toward love and sexuality—all of which seemed odd to him—are becoming part of the global intellectual mainstream. This new short biography of the great writer traces the main lines of his life and work. Tolstoy's artistic and philosophical legacy is considered alongside his military experience, peasant labor, and family tragedy.