The Death of Ivan Ilych, Tolstoy- Review

The Death of Ivan Ilych    L.Tolstoy

I must first admit that while I enjoy Russian literature, I have never read any of Tolstoy’s work. I can’t help but feel I have been missing out. I admit it to be a tad cliché, to say of an author, that the man has a way with words, he also has a way with making the reader feel for his characters in a way I find most remarkable. As far as the book itself is concerned it is not particularly long, around sixty pages if that,  making this book a fantastic starting point for anyone like myself who has never yet dived into the words and worlds of Tolstoy.

At the beginning I felt this book lacked substance and was hard at first to delve into. The characters had no visage to them and no one person seemed to stand out in the lime light of the pages. However persevere with the book and you will not be disappointed.
The novel begins with a few men of notoriety, discussing certain cases of law when they are interrupted and informed about the death of Ivan Ilych. The men then reminisce about the man that is Ivan. Towards the end of the chapter they visit Ivan’s family to pay their respects.

The second chapter is where the story really begins to take shape and all of the following chapters up until his death (which quite literally marks the end of the story). This is where the character of Ivan really comes to life. Tolstoy really makes you feel for him by giving you a personal account of what he is feeling and why. Most of the first few chapters are joyous, noting his job and promotions and how he moves up in the world of Russian society. Like most Russian literature of the 19th century, class plays a very prominent factor. We are introduced to his wife, Praskovya Fedrovana and how he swoons her in a fairytale style, with his formidable dance moves well above his station in Russian society, which everyone is apparently incredibly jealous of.
How ever after staying with Praskovya’s brother in the country, after losing one of his children and needing some time away from work, our protagonist begins to feel that something is missing in his life. Tolstoy describes how he has this feeling of ennui, as well as deep set depression.
He always has power in his line of work throughout the novel and it is about how he balances such power with fairness. He is a true hand of righteousness and justice, with the power to lock away anyone he sees fit as governing magistrate. However he is declined a position he had coveted and returns to Petersburg after his demands are fortunately met.
By this point in the novel however his relationship with Praskovya has soured. He begins to resent her, and she him. It would seem she only stays with him because of his salary, of 5000 roubles.
It seems that Ivan begins to channel his pleasure elsewhere and after purchasing a rather big property begins to take the time and enjoy decorating it appropriately, in a rather bourgeois style.
It is unfortunately to be our protagonist’s downfall. As one day when decorating his house he falls and bumps his side against a curtain decorative knob. He joke about how any other man would of been killed but thank God for his athleticism, and that he was lucky only to have a bruise. After a while he complains of pains in his side and a bad taste in his mouth. After seeing many doctors and some of St Petersburg’s most elite medical professionals, they all diagnose him differently but most come to the conclusion of his kidney or appendix.  This is where our character spirals down further into a pit of pain and depression. We begin to feel sad towards him and his inability to do anything. A man of power is reduced to a pathetic creature that all feel sorry for but do not even have the decency to be honest to. He knows he is dying but no one else will admit it, which causes him the greatest heart ache of all. He begins to resent everyone around him except his helper, his role of master is still affirmed to him, and he does not lie to him and gives him the pity he wants and the comfort he deserves.

Overall I found this book a heart warming and enjoyable piece with moments of great joy and utter sadness. I would urge anyone who is a fan of Russian Literature to read this piece, there are many theory’s on the story, read it for yourself and see what you make of it.
I know you will enjoy it.