First published 2023
Isabel Florence Hapgood draws from her personal correspondence and direct encounters with Leo Tolstoy to create an intimate examination of the Russian literary giant. Through their exchanges and interactions, she reveals the man behind War and Peace and Anna Karenina, exploring his philosophical beliefs, his approach to writing, and the experiences that shaped his worldview. Hapgood's firsthand access allows her to illuminate Tolstoy's creative methods and the ideas that drove some of the 19th century's most significant literary achievements. Scholars have recognized this work as culturally significant and vital to preserving our understanding of one of literature's towering figures. The book offers readers direct insight into Tolstoy's character and thinking through the eyes of someone who knew him personally.
Genres: biography, literary-fiction, non-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-study, first-hand-account
Setting: Russia
Period: 19th-century
312 pages · Hardcover · Legare Street Press