Literary Fiction· Russia
The Death of Ivan Ilyich
by Leo TolstoyAggregate Editorial Score40/100
Times Literary Supplement
Published 188692 pagesEnglish
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Published in 1886, The Death of Ivan Ilyich established Leo Tolstoy as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Ivan Ilyich, a respected judge, is dying slowly and painfully, and only in his last days does he confront the question of whether he has lived a good life. Tolstoy's novella is the supreme literary treatment of mortality and self-deception. Themes of death, self-deception, meaning run through the work. The book has received recognition from Times Literary Supplement 1886.
Book Details
About the Category
📖 Literary Fiction
Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.
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🇷🇺 Russia
This book is part of Russia's rich literary tradition.
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Leo Tolstoy published The Death of Ivan Ilyich in 1886, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Russia. The book's treatment of death, self-deception, meaning, Russia accounts for much of its enduring reputation.
Among its recognitions: Times Literary Supplement 1886. With an editorial score of 40/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys.
The appeal of The Death of Ivan Ilyich lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of death, self-deception, meaning, Russia is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page.
The Death of Ivan Ilyich reflects Leo Tolstoy's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Russia's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
Times Literary Supplement
list · global
188612
Leo Tolstoy is a celebrated author from Russia known for influential works of literary fiction.
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