The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories

Discover the profound exploration of love in 'The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories' by Leo Tolstoy. This compelling collection showcases four masterful narratives that delve into the various dimensions of desire, ranging from idealistic romance to sexual jealousy and relentless longing. Each story paints a vivid picture of love's complexities, making it a quintessential read for literature enthusiasts and fans of Russian literature. In 'Family Happiness', Tolstoy discusses the evolution of love through the journey of a couple facing the trials of marriage. The titular novella, 'The Kreutzer Sonata', tells a gripping story set on a train, where themes of infidelity, suspicion, and murder intertwine. Readers will be captivated by 'The Devil', which portrays the struggle of a young man confronted by an irresistible temptation, and 'Father Sergius', capturing the desperate lengths one goes to in order to escape the temptations of life. This edition, published by Penguin UK, features translations by David McDuff and Paul Foote, ensuring that Tolstoy's powerful prose is delivered in its original vigor. Also included is an insightful introduction by Donna Orwin, along with a chronology, further reading suggestions, and notes that enhance the reading experience. With stunning cover art and 352 pages of rich storytelling, this beautifully bound trade paperback is perfect for collectors and casual readers alike. Enjoy FREE shipping with your order, and immerse yourself in Tolstoy's nuanced perspective on love and human nature today.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780140449600
Format: Trade paperback (UK)
Year: 2008
Publisher: Penguin UK
Pages: 352


Description:
"Each phase of life has its own love" In these four stories, Leo Tolstoy (1828 - 1910) depicts desire in its different manifestations - from idealistic romance to sexual jealousy, from desperate lust to relentless longing. Family Happiness, an early work, portrays the struggles of a couple as they move from courtship and passion through disillusionment to the quieter stage of married love. A passenger tells a bitter tale of sex, suspicion and murder when strangers on a train discuss the nature of love in The Kruetzer Sonata, a novella banned for its scandalous content in 1890. In The Devil, a young man finds it impossible to resist a beautiful peasant woman with whom he had an affair before his marriage, while Father Sergius shows a man going to increasingly desperate ends - from a soldier to monk, to hermit to beggar - in order to avoid the temptations of the flesh. The translations by David McDuff and Paul Foote faithfully convey Tolstoy's candid, vigorous prose. This edition also includes a new introduction by Donna Orwin discussing Tolstoy's depiction of love and sex in these works, as well as a chronology, further reading and notes.

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