Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
I want to read the book!
All characters reduced
The Cossacks - cover

The Cossacks

Leo Tolstoy

Translator Aylmer Maude, Louise Maude

Publisher: DigiCat

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

In 'The Cossacks,' Leo Tolstoy delves into the complexities of Russian identity and the clash between civilization and nature. Set against the vivid backdrop of the Caucasus region, the narrative follows Olenin, an aristocrat who seeks a more authentic way of life among the Cossacks. Tolstoy's lyrical prose intertwines introspective character development with profound philosophical themes, including the search for meaning and the juxtaposition of societal norms against primitive existence. This early exploration of realism foreshadows Tolstoy's later masterpieces, capturing the spirit of a turbulent period in Russian history with rich descriptions and deep emotional resonance. Leo Tolstoy, one of the most influential writers of the 19th century, was profoundly shaped by his experiences of class and culture throughout his life. His aristocratic upbringing and military service significantly impacted his worldview, informing his critique of society and his fascination with peasant life. 'The Cossacks' not only marks Tolstoy's literary debut but also reflects his desire to reconcile his roots with a deeper understanding of humanity in connection with the natural world. For readers seeking to explore themes of identity, morality, and the beauty of nature, 'The Cossacks' is an indispensable work. Tolstoy's insightful portrayal of a world at odds with itself invites readers to reflect on their understanding of freedom and community, making this novel a compelling read for anyone interested in the philosophical undercurrents of literature.
Available since: 11/19/2023.
Print length: 149 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • Shadow of a Dead Man - cover

    Shadow of a Dead Man

    William W. Johnstone, J. A....

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    The top dogs of bestselling western action thrillers hit the bullseye once again in the latest in a new series in which a disgraced lawman's quest for vengeance becomes a legendary fight for justice. 
 
 
 
HE WHO LIVES BY THE GUN . . .  
 
 
 
Shotgun Johnny Greenway thought he'd hit rock bottom when he lost his wife and son, hung up his badge, and hit the bottle. But a pretty young woman gave him a second chance. Offered him a job riding shotgun for the Reverend's Temptation Gold Mine. Gave him a reason to live. But even she can't save him when the Starrett gang tries to rob the gold—and Johnny kills their leader . . .  
 
 
 
 . . . DIES BY THE GUN 
 
 
 
When the dust clears, Shotgun Johnny is wanted for murder. The dead man's father has powerful friends, including a town marshal who's Johnny's personal enemy. One wants the gold. The other wants the girl. Both want Johnny dead. With a $1000 bounty on his head—and half the county trying to kill him—Johnny's got to prove his innocence. Not in a court of law. In a trial by shotgun . . .
    Show book
  • The Card Sharp - cover

    The Card Sharp

    Eric B. Ruark

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    A Card Sharp/Con man works the Mississippi River on one of the first class steamboats and plans to relieve as many people as possible of their gold and cash.  But the arrival of a wealthy planter and his slave, changes the card sharps plans.
    Show book
  • Nayak: Chronicles of a Leader - cover

    Nayak: Chronicles of a Leader

    Nomadicriti

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Through the eyes of Bahirji Naik, the legendary 17th-century spy, unfolds the epic life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a warrior-king unlike any other. Revered for his justice, compassion, and unyielding fight for Swarajya, he inspired loyalty beyond measure. From daring escapes and masterful strategies to the forging of the Maratha Empire, this first-person account blends loyalty, intrigue, and the spirit of freedom into a vivid portrait of an immortal leader. 
This is a work of historical fiction. Certain events and characters have been adapted for narrative purposes.
    Show book
  • The Lost Legion - cover

    The Lost Legion

    Rudyard Kipling

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    The Lost Legion by Rudyard Kipling is a gripping tale of mystery, honor, and supernatural folklore set against the backdrop of the Indian frontier. Blending the stark realities of colonial military life with haunting legend, Kipling recounts the story of a rebel cavalry regiment that vanished into the Afghan hills—only to return as ghostly riders, eternally paying for their betrayal. When a daring night operation to capture a notorious tribal outlaw stirs echoes of the past, British soldiers confront the eerie presence of the lost regiment. This atmospheric story explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the inescapable weight of history.
    Show book
  • Changing Woman - A Novel of the Camp Grant Massacre - cover

    Changing Woman - A Novel of the...

    Venetia Hobson Lewis

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Arizona Territory, 1871. Valeria Obregón and her ambitious husband, Raúl, arrive in the raw frontier town of Tucson hoping to find prosperity. Changing Woman, an Apache spirit who represents the natural order of the world and its cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, welcomes Nest Feather, a twelve-year-old Apache girl, into womanhood in Aravaipa Canyon. 
 
 
 
Mexican and Anglo settlers have pushed the Apaches from their lands, and the Apaches carry out raids against them. In turn, the settlers, angered by the failure of the US government and the military to protect them, respond with a murderous raid on an Apache encampment under the protection of the US military at Camp Grant, kidnapping Nest Feather and other Apache children. 
 
 
 
In Tucson, while Valeria finds fulfillment in her work as a seamstress, Raúl struggles to hide from her his role in the bloody attack, and Nest Feather, adopted by a Mexican couple there, tries to hold on to her Apache heritage in a culture that rejects her very being. Against the backdrop of the massacre trial, Valeria and Nest Feather's lives intersect in the church, as Valeria seeks spiritual guidance for the decision she must make and Nest Feather prepares for a Christian baptism.
    Show book
  • George Silverman's Explanation - cover

    George Silverman's Explanation

    Charles Dickens, Dominic Gerrard

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    George Silverman’s Explanation (published in The Atlantic in 1868) is one of Charles Dickens’ rarer short stories. Here the author immerses himself entirely in his character of George Silverman: addressing the reader in a dramatic monologue in which he is reticent, perhaps even unwilling to open up to us, but at the same time compelled to unburden his heart.  
So deeply does Dickens embody the role of Silverman that in a letter to an editor he writes that: 'I feel as if I had read something (by somebody else) which I should never get out of my head …’ 
This tale is an indictment against poverty as powerful as you will find in any of Dickens’ larger works. It is also a biting satire against the 'daring ignorance' and little 'meannesses' found in many non-conformist movements. Above all it is a deeply affecting examination of how far a childhood of of both want and punishing religious control can impact a man’s self-worth and future happiness. 
Narrated by Dominic Gerrard 
Cover Art by Léna Gibert
    Show book