The Death of Ivan Ilyich

The Death of Ivan Ilyich is a profound meditation on mortality and the meaning of a well-lived life. The novella delves into the existential crisis of a seemingly ordinary man, Ivan Ilyich Golovin, as he confronts his impending death. The narrative chronicles his pursuit of societal success and conventional happiness, which ultimately lead him to a life devoid of authenticity and meaning. As Ivan grapples with the excruciating pain of a terminal illness, his gradual realization of the emptiness of his existence forces him to confront the lies he has been living and the genuine emotional connections he has neglected.

Leo Tolstoy was a prolific Russian writer and philosopher whose towering literary achievements include monumental novels like War and Peace and Anna Karenina. His ponderings on nonviolence, spirituality, and the human condition have left an enduring mark on both literature and thought.

Patrick Maxwell is an English writer and journalist. He writes on literature for The Big Issue and The London Magazine, and is a regular commentator for TheArticle magazine and Classical Music Daily. He lives near Oxford. 

Aylmer Maude (1858–1938) and Louise Maude (1855–1939) were English translators of Leo Tolstoy’s works and his personal friends. Aylmer Maude wrote, with Tolstoy’s authorization, The Life of Tolstoy. After living many years in Russia the Maudes spent the rest of their life in England translating Tolstoy’s writing and promoting his work.