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Resurrection Audiobook
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(3.01) - 9,127 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Leo Tolstoy stands tall among the great Russian novelists of the nineteenth century. In fact he fellowships with a handful of great story tellers of all time, the men and women who write literary masterpieces. Tolstoy based Resurrection, the last of his novels, on a true story of a philanderer whose misuse of a beautiful young orphan girl leads to her ruin. Fate brings the two together many years later and the meeting awakens the man's moral conscience. Anger, intimacy, forgiveness, and grace result. While the situation of Tolstoy's plot is alien to most people, his nuanced treatment of mortal life is familiar to all. // Late in his life Tolstoy confessed that he earlier had seduced two young girls for his pleasure. Perhaps his own deeds and their horrible consequences motivated him to write this novel with a special passion. It is a particularly moving tale. Tolstoy's Resurrectionis marvelous in the fullest sense of the word - a story so improbable that it must be a miraculous achievement. // Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) is one of the great novelists. His masterpieces War and Peace and Anna Karenin explore the depths and heights of the human condition with eloquence and an edge that combine to make them powerfully real throughout generations and across national identities. Resurrection is the last of Tolstoy's major novels.
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"The description of the excesses of the statal machine which distinguishes itself through the cruelty and injustice of its punishments clearly foresees the advent of communism. The anatomy of Nekhlyudov's enlightenment reminds me on The Death of Ivan Ilych . Heidegger should have used it extensively to shed more light on the condition of the "they-self". An important part of Tolstoy's book deals with the distinction between the animal and spiritual aspect of the human nature. Although that since 1899 the cultural code has changed and in today's world the animal and the spirit peacefully coexist (Mr. Hyde is no longer our enemy, he became a marketing tool that helps us sell ourselves more efficiently), no longer being disociated (the animal is spiritual, the spirit - animalic), I apreciate Tolstoy's quest for authenticity and his taste for existential drama; apparently a century ago people still believed in something."
— Stefan (5 out of 5 stars)
Resurrection Listener Reviews
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" Good political commentaries entwine their messages seamlessly with their plots. This is not one of them. Tolstoy's four hundred page sermon has some lovely prose, but he hides it well. "
— Peyton, 2/14/2014 -
" Read this over 40 years ago, Its as relevant now as it was to me then.. "
— Lysergius, 2/14/2014 -
" This book is amazing. Everyone should read it. Tolstoi left us a message, a message of peace and harmony between all humans. He show us how easy is to make it, and how hard. "
— Pedro, 2/11/2014 -
" This is an incredible depiction of life in late 19th century Russia, from all its angles. Tolstoy's ideologies of religion and society are rather interesting, and are brought out in this novel magnificently. I would recommend this novel to anyone who's ever questioned religion, society, law - government! Humanity... this novel raises outstanding inquiry in these topics, thus provoking thought and even a better, sort of anarchistic, outlook towards life...if you don't mind it, that is. I definitely don't. This book is indeed a work of life, as well as art! "
— Annelida, 2/9/2014 -
" A nice taste of Tolstoy without the many hundreds of pages. Ha! "
— Rachel, 2/6/2014 -
" Didn't understand the beauty of the conclusion the first time, but upon rereading it I think it is perfect. "
— Taylor, 2/3/2014 -
" I am finally understanding what Tolstoy was up to, I think. I had not realized that he had been so influenced by the Baha'i ideas, although I knew he had written about Baha'u'llah. Now things make sense. "
— Jacqueline, 2/2/2014 -
" They don't write social commentary like they used to. Tolstoy's complaints with corruption and the prison system seem equally relevant today. An interesting book to read - although the story itself falls short of his more famous stories - War & Peace and Anna Karenina. "
— Gary, 1/27/2014 -
" I think that while I agree with much of tolstoy's view of humanity, I do not at all agree with his view if poverty and the poor. Therefore, this book was a little challenging. But also well written, so 4 stars for you. "
— Jennifer, 1/26/2014 -
" This is one of Leo Tolstoy's shorter books. I read this with my bookclub and really enjoyed reading this because of the story and the setting in the Siberia (Russia). It goes into the lives of the character and the folks surrounding her on the journey to Siberia. I learned a lot about the prison system and what the prisoners had to go through. It's an interesting reading experience. I definitely recommend this classic memorable book to all older readers. "
— Lee, 1/21/2014 -
" I was very disappointed with Tolstoy's world view and he doesn't even give the reader the satisfaction of a conclusion to the plot. Worse than both War and Peace and Anna Karenina. A few small gems towards the end (excluding the final chapter), but not enough to justify the book. "
— Ashley, 1/18/2014 -
" Amazingly matter-of fact, simple, direct, frank about the natures of people and society. "
— Ed, 1/18/2014 -
" This was a fascinating book! "
— Tom, 1/17/2014 -
" I'll have to reread it. "
— Joseph, 1/17/2014 -
" first published in 1899, the details of this amazing story explain today's world. human nature does NOT change even as technologies advance at amazing rates. highly recommended for thinking people who care why man's inhumanity to man continues apace yet under disguises. "
— Maggie, 1/11/2014 -
" I LOVED this book! Very touching. My all-time favorite book. "
— Amy, 1/5/2014 -
" Good political commentaries entwine their messages seamlessly with their plots. This is not one of them. Tolstoy's four hundred page sermon has some lovely prose, but he hides it well. "
— Peyton, 12/27/2013 -
" Excelente pero no lean el ultimo capitulo "
— Raul, 12/17/2013 -
" A friend, Aubrey, commented that what was irritating about this selection is the "Tolstoy as God" theme running throughout, and I couldn't agree more. Like his writing but not this one particularly. "
— Salvatore, 12/12/2013 -
" Maybe Tolstoy's best book or maybe I read it in the right age approaching 50, having lived in many countries and learned some about the multitude of cultural perspectives; and after having experienced some different life situations. "
— Cristina, 12/11/2013 -
" A unforgettable gripping tale of the innocence and struggles of the human soul. It's a heart wrecking story that touched me deep in my own being. "
— Esme, 11/8/2013 -
" the indonesia version of "resurrection". i havent finished reading yet...pretty boring..wouldnt mind to finish it though.. "
— Nina, 10/29/2013 -
" Wonderful portrait of a member of the nobility who undergoes an inner transformation. "
— Ryan, 10/5/2013 -
" My favorite Tolstoy. He does ramble like an old man in this one, though, so I'm sure a lot of people would find it annoying. "
— Vera, 8/29/2013 -
" The most amazing book ever written!!!!! Pure genius. "
— Emily, 8/26/2013 -
" Highly recommended for fans of Russian literature. Despite its faults (which others have pointed out, so no need for me to join in), Resurrection is a powerful book. I also think it's a good companion read to The House of the Dead. "
— MountainShelby, 7/23/2013 -
" Part love story, part redemption, and part a searing indictment of Tsarist Russia - written when Tolstoy himself was going through a religious crisis. "
— Linda, 5/28/2013 -
" I loved this book. It was life changing. Inspires good living and caring for the poor. Don't get attached to worldliness. "
— Ben, 5/27/2013 -
" The highlight of Tolstoy's books. "
— Mena, 4/17/2013 -
" Different from Tolstoy's better known novels: War and peace and Anna Karinine, but very interesting. A facinating description of Russian Society: urban life and peasantry, prison life and justice before 1919 revolution. "
— Danielle, 3/8/2013 -
" I think that while I agree with much of tolstoy's view of humanity, I do not at all agree with his view if poverty and the poor. Therefore, this book was a little challenging. But also well written, so 4 stars for you. "
— Jennifer, 2/17/2013 -
" first published in 1899, the details of this amazing story explain today's world. human nature does NOT change even as technologies advance at amazing rates. highly recommended for thinking people who care why man's inhumanity to man continues apace yet under disguises. "
— Maggie, 2/6/2013 -
" Another tale about human nature and relationships - truly Russian. "
— Lorraine, 1/29/2013 -
" I would rather have read a finnish translation of this book and learned something. "
— Alik, 9/19/2012 -
" Amazing, underrated work of the great Tolstoy. "
— Meg, 7/18/2012 -
" A yearning, searching tale of loss that finds that redemption for mistakes of the past is never clean. This novel is Tolstoy's greatest, and most realistic look at the human condition. "
— John, 5/19/2012 -
" Great. This was given to me by a friend for Christmas. It's a bit dark, but also is the story of an amazing spiritual journey simultaneously with a reflection of Russian values and history. "
— Iliana, 3/9/2012 -
" Ignore the cynics. Tolstoy's novel is a moralistic tale, yes, but the finest you are ever going to read. Life-changing. "
— MJ, 1/1/2012 -
" Thought provoking book. I will have to read it a few more times to really soak it up. "
— Jennifer, 10/31/2011 -
" This is the single most influential book from my childhood. I was 8 at the time when I picked up this book from my father's bookstore. I never looked at the world in the same way after this. "
— Ian, 7/1/2011 -
" I read the Magarshack translation. A great book. "
— Mike, 5/22/2011 -
" A very long soap opera. Some parts of the book were page turners, other parts were a drag to get through. Very good author and can display the characters emotions on you with precision, overall not bad. "
— Steven, 5/22/2011 -
" This was the perfect book to read while snowed in for weeks! ( well, snowed in by choice) "
— Cissie, 5/19/2011 -
" This was a long one, but I got attached to the characters. It's a good one. "
— Crystal, 5/19/2011 -
" To think I'd have anything to add... Tolstoy is always so deeply, deeply human. And I love him for it. "
— Heather, 5/18/2011 -
" Takes a long time, but well worth it! "
— Becky, 5/17/2011 -
" My favorite book ... Ever!<br/> "
— Brenda, 5/16/2011 -
" Tolstoy writes like nobody else I have ever read. He can describe the simplest or most complex situation or human emotion "eyes and smiles" are what make you fall in love. Anna, Levin, Vronsky, Kitty, Dolly, what unforgettable characters. A great read. "
— Magdad, 5/13/2011 -
" Very impressive book, sad too but the kind of book that stays with you for a while. "
— Katinka, 5/13/2011 -
" Beautiful. You can tell Tolstoy cares about his characters, even when they are unlikeable. "
— Sarah, 5/12/2011
About Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was born about two hundred miles from Moscow. His mother died when he was two, his father when he was nine. His parents were of noble birth, and Tolstoy remained acutely aware of his aristocratic roots, even when he later embraced doctrines of equality and the brotherhood of man. After serving in the army in the Caucasus and Crimea, where he wrote his first stories, he traveled and studied educational theories. In 1862 he married Sophia Behrs and for the next fifteen years lived a tranquil, productive life, finishing War and Peace in 1869 and Anna Karenina in 1877. In 1879 he underwent a spiritual crisis; he sought to propagate his beliefs on faith, morality, and nonviolence, writing mostly parables, tracts, and morality plays. Tolstoy died of pneumonia in 1910 at the age of eighty-two.
About Simon Vance
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.