Sevastopol - Tolstoy, Leo

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Résumé :
The Sevastopol Sketches, called in English translations the Sebastopol Sketches, also published in English as Sevastopol, are three short stories written by Leo Tolstoy and published in 1855 to record his experiences during the Siege of Sevastopol. The name originates from Sevastopol, a city in Crimea. In the December tale Tolstoy introduces us to Sevastopol by giving the reader a tour and introducing us to the settings, mannerisms, and background that would relevant in the following tales. In the May tale Tolstoy examines the senselessness of war, musings that would lay the foundation for his much larger work and magnum opus War and Peace. In the third and final tale the fall of the town is detailed.

Biographie:
Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828 - 1910), usually referred to in English as Leo Tolstoy, was a Russian writer who is regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time. Born to an aristocratic Russian family in 1828, he is best known for the novels War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877), often cited as pinnacles of realist fiction. He first achieved literary acclaim in his twenties with his semi-autobiographical trilogy, Childhood, Boyhood and Youth (1852-1856) and Sevastopol Sketches (1855), based upon his experiences in the Crimean War. Tolstoy's fiction includes dozens of short stories and several novellas such as The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Family Happiness, and Hadji Murad. He also wrote plays and numerous philosophical essays. In the 1870s Tolstoy experienced a profound moral crisis, followed by what he regarded as an equally profound spiritual awakening, as outlined in his non-fiction work A Confession. His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him to become a fervent Christian anarchist and pacifist. Tolstoy's ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal 20th-century figures as Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and James Bevel. Tolstoy also became a dedicated advocate of Georgism, the economic philosophy of Henry George, which he incorporated into his writing, particularly Resurrection.

Sommaire:
Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian author and philosopher, celebrated as one of history's greatest literary figures. Born into an aristocratic family, he faced early personal losses, including the deaths of his parents. Tolstoy's literary journey began with the acclaimed semi-autobiographical trilogy Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth (1852-1856), and his experiences in the Crimean War inspired the Sevastopol Sketches (1855), which vividly portrayed the realities of conflict.His masterpieces, War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1878), are renowned for their sweeping narratives and psychological depth. War and Peace offers a panoramic view of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars, while Anna Karenina examines themes of love, family, and societal expectations. Tolstoy also penned influential shorter works, including The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886) and Hadji Murad (1912), which explore profound moral and existential dilemmas.In the 1870s, Tolstoy underwent a spiritual transformation, embracing Christian anarchism and pacifism. Works like Confession (1882) and The Kingdom of God Is Within You (1894) reflect his belief in nonviolence, simplicity, and love, rejecting institutional religion and state authority. These ideas influenced global figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., solidifying Tolstoy's legacy as a literary genius and a transformative thinker....