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The Death of Ivan Ilyich: A Leo Tolstoy Short Story Audiobook
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(4.07) - 28 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The brilliance of the story is how a normal bureaucrat, a judge in this case, has a small accident that winds up gradually taking his life. As he deals with this incident, with hope at first, and then despair, he comes to terms with his family, his life, and his mediocrities that we all suffer with except for the exceptional few. This story rings a particularly poignant note for those in early middle age facing the next part of their lives. Tolstoy's story is considered his best.
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"Este libro de verdad es duro, y hace poco lo relei y no me cabia la menor duda de que es un libro que mata en verdad la esperanza, y por eso mismo es tan bueno. Las reflexiones antes de morir siempre han sido puestas en una luz tenue a la que nadie quiere llegar, pero esta historia de un abogado ruso enfrentandose al cese de su existencia es la mejor historia que Tolstoy nos pudo haber dado, Ivan Ilych es el heroe tragico que debate sobre lo artificial y vacia que le parece su vida sintiendo que al final de cuentas todo acabara sin el menor aviso, y es en ese ironico momento que halla la manera autentica de vivir. Un clasico sencillo y corto que ahonda en la conciencia del ser humano sin pretensiones ni adornos, Grande Leo."
— Azjericho (5 out of 5 stars)
The Death of Ivan Ilyich Listener Reviews
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" A moving account of one man's confrontation with death. I think Tolstoy's pace works better in longer works, but he deals with his themes well in this short novella. "
— Jason, 2/20/2014 -
" This was a great and really short book which focused less on plot or writing and more on content, more specifically the philosophy of death via a narrative of Ivan Ilyich's last days, hours, and minutes. Very deep and thought-provoking. Concise. My first impression of Tolstoy has been a good one. "
— Gita, 2/18/2014 -
" A beautiful short story about a man's personal anguish and sense of regret as he approaches death and reflects back upon his life. Tolstoy handles this difficult struggle with insight, compassion and humanity. "
— Laurel, 2/2/2014 -
" Tolstoy, from what I've read, has nothing on Dostoevsky! "
— Hayden, 1/31/2014 -
" Reading this as a freshman in college on the cusp of my life journey, as it were, this book confirmed everything I had come to conclude about life but had not the experience to prove. "
— Ron, 1/26/2014 -
" First work by Tolstoy that I have read and already it has cemented his undeniable genius. The depth of characterization is incredible you'd be humbled and crushed immensely if you have ambitions of being a writer. "
— Kareef, 1/17/2014 -
" peasant life in Russia...one man's death may mean another man's good fortune. Actually, I am re-reading it now "
— Janet, 1/16/2014 -
" Read this for a book discussion group. Found it to be precise, very male, and introspective. Not my favorite. "
— Kristi, 1/6/2014 -
" Loving the mood. "
— Diana, 11/12/2013 -
" The Russians know how to write timeless stories. "
— Louise, 10/23/2013 -
" Superb but slightly depressing as one may wonder what is the point of life "
— Brigitte, 10/18/2013 -
" Not only should this be read by every human being, but it should also be nailed to their bed posts to be the first thing they see when they wake. "
— Angela., 1/15/2013 -
" Good portrayal of how personal dying is. "
— Sheryl, 11/16/2012 -
" Did not care for it. Tolstoy is boring. Maybe if he got back up as a zombie and ate his wife and kid it would have been better, but it still would have been boring. "
— Shawn, 11/13/2012 -
" I haven't been able to get very into much Russian lit. "
— Colleen, 11/10/2012 -
" Jesus. Made me want to die. Certainly not because it's a bad story. It's incredible of course, even through the translation the absolute angst and hopelessness of Ivan Ilych is portrayed perfectly. Have something happy on hand to read afterwards or you may feel a little pain in the side of your own. "
— Sam, 10/23/2012 -
" Such a fascinating and heartbreaking story. This is why I'm an English major and why I love reading. "
— Rachel, 9/8/2012 -
" Awful, horrible rendition, but so rivetting. Enjoyable. "
— Robert, 1/1/2012 -
" This book might just change the way you live your life. One realizes the importance of a life worth living rather than a life lived 'properly.' Ivan Ilych does not realize this until his deathbed and he regrets it, but dies with this knowledge--giving him a sort of peace. "
— Sarah, 8/15/2011 -
" I wish I'd gotten one of the many collections of Tolstoy's novellas rather than just The Death... I would recommend you do so yourself if you're interested in this great Russian writer. "
— Andrew, 6/2/2011 -
" Amazing. Everyone needs to read this book. "
— Jen, 5/28/2011 -
" Long short story or novella. My freshman lit project. Enjoyed every sentence. "
— Ctb, 5/17/2011 -
" Very well written short story and pretty sad "
— John, 4/25/2011 -
" First work by Tolstoy that I have read and already it has cemented his undeniable genius. The depth of characterization is incredible you'd be humbled and crushed immensely if you have ambitions of being a writer. "
— Kareef, 4/20/2011 -
" I can safely say this book changed my life. "
— Eric, 4/18/2011 -
" This was an interesting book on the process of one man's death. did make me want to read more of Tolstoy. "
— Joanne, 3/28/2011 -
" What is death? Why do we live? You can see Tolstoy wrestle with death in this book. A great read! "
— Trae, 3/25/2011
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 Bill DeWees
Bill DeWees is a voice actor who has worked extensively in radio, commercials, and audiobook narration. Some of his clients include Lowe’s, Pizza Hut, Whole Foods, and Whirlpool. Among his audiobook narrations are What Makes an Effective Executive by Peter F. Drucker, The Jefferson Lies by David Barton, and Cold-Case Christianity by James Warren Wallace.