The Devil and Other Stories'It is impossible to explain why Yevgeny chose Liza Annenskaya, as it is always impossible to explain why a man chooses this and not that woman.' This collection of eleven stories spans virtually the whole of Tolstoy's creative life. While each is unique in form, as a group they are representative of his style, and touch on the central themes that surface in War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Stories as different as 'The Snowstorm', 'Lucerne', 'The Diary of a Madman', and 'The Devil' are grounded in autobiographical experience. They deal with journeys of self-discovery and the moral and religious questioning that characterizes Tolstoy's works of criticism and philosophy. 'Strider' and 'Father Sergy', as well as reflecting Tolstoy's own experiences, also reveal profound psychological insights. These stories range over much of the Russian world of the nineteenth century, from the nobility to the peasantry, the military to the clergy, from merchants and cobblers to a horse and a tree. Together they present a fascinating picture of Tolstoy's skill and artistry. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
Contents
LUCERNE | |
THREE DEATHS | |
THE STORY OF A HORSE | |
GOD SEES THE TRUTH BUT WAITS | |
WHERE LOVE IS GOD | |
FATHER SERGY | |
AFTER THE BALL | |
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Aksyonov Akulina Anna Karenina Arzamas asked asleep Avdeich bast shoes became began boots carpenter’s wife coat devil door driver Dunyasha Dutlov everything eyes face Father Sergy feeling feet felt filly forgive Fyodor gave gelding God’s groom hair hand happened head heard horses husband Ignat Ilyich Ilyushka Ivan Kasatsky Khvyodor knew Kreutzer Sonata laughed legs Leo Tolstoy live Liza looked Lucerne man’s Martyn Marya Pavlovna mistress monastery mother night Nikolay old woman once peasant piebald Polikey Polikushka prayed prayers recruit replied roubles round samovar seemed Serpukhovskoy Seryoga Sevastopol shouted silent sledge smile Snow Storm starets Stepanida steps stood stopped story Strider suddenly talking tell There’s thing thought told Tolstoy Tolstoy’s took troika turned uncle Varvara Alexeevna versts vodka voice walked window women Yegor Mikhaylovich Yelizaveta Petrovna Yevgeny young