Brady Meyer’s Reviews > Tolstoy's Short Fiction > Status Update

"Father Sergius"
Not for me, but it had a pretty shocking moment part way through that I did really enjoy.

"After the Ball"
I loved the lengthy description of dance, music, and movement at the heart of this very short story. The ending was.. disturbing.

"Alyosha Gorshok"
A perfect five page story. Simple but so moving.

"Master and Man"

Illuminating. A story that constitutes a repeated mantra throughout Tolstoy's life, that the only way we can achieve true happiness is through sacrifice towards others. The struggle through the wintery conditions that Nikita and Vasily go through is so memorable.

"The Kreutzer Sonata"

Tolstoy seems to be working through some inner demons in this one, as he objects to a life of indulgence, sex, and violence, of which he struggled with in real life. I'm more interested in reading "The Kreutzer Sonata Variations" which includes Sophia Tolstoya's response to this harrowing novella.

"The Three Hermits":
Did not resonate with me at all.

Got through some of The Kreutzer Sonata. Spoiler: I think it isn't as good as Beethoven's original.

"The Death of Ivan Ilych":
Gripping story that confronts you with both mortality and meaning, with some (bleak) humor. It is amazing how Tolstoy can make the happy times of life fly by in just a few words while drawing out the moments of suffering into several full pages. Everyone should read this, as it is free to read online! This is the short story that got me back into fiction last fall. A masterpiece.

"Three Deaths" - A short story showing three ways one could die; in arrogance, in peace, or in nature.

"Sevastopol in May" - Doesn’t quite live up to the first part of the story. Great moments, especially the closing thesis: “The hero of my tale… is Truth.”

"Sevastopol in December" --- Focuses on the indifference of nature towards man, the carnage of warfare, and the people trying to pretend everything is okay. Interesting use of 2nd person point of view.