The Death of Ivan Ilyich

“In the end, it is love alone that matters, the love that we give and receive.”

Considered one of the masterpieces of Tolstoy’s later fiction, The Death of Ivan Ilyich tells the story of Ivan Ilyich Golovin, a high-ranking judge in the Russian judicial system. His life appears successful by societal standards: he has a respectable job, a family, and a comfortable lifestyle until he is diagnosed with a terminal condition which eventually confines him to his bed. Here, he reflects on his life and the relationships around him and comes to realise that he has not truly lived and has instead followed a path dictated by society that has not brought him happiness or contentment. Brought face to face with his mortality, he experiences a revelation about the importance of authentic love and human connection.

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was a Russian novelist, philosopher, and social reformer, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of all time. He is best known for his epic novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, both celebrated for their intricate character development and profound exploration of moral dilemmas and human nature. In his later years, Tolstoy experienced a spiritual awakening which led him to reject materialism and embrace a life of simplicity, seeking to align his life with his beliefs about non-violence and compassion. Tolstoy's legacy endures not only through his literary masterpieces but also through his profound impact on literature and philosophy.