Overview

The ten stories collected in this volume demonstrate Tolstoy's artistic prowess displayed over five decades - experimenting with prose styles and drawing on his own experiences with humour, realism and compassion.

Selected Stories

The Two Hussars contrasts a dashing father and his mean-spirited son, inspired by Tolstoy's experiences in the army.

What Men Live By portrays an angel sent to earth to learn three existential rules of life, illustrating Tolstoy's belief that art must serve a moral purpose.

Two Old Men shows a peasant abandoning his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in order to help his neighbours.

Master and Man depicts a mercenary merchant traveling with his unprotesting servant through a blizzard to close a business deal — little realizing he may soon have to settle accounts with his maker.