Rosamund Bartlett, a distinguished biographer of Tolstoy and translator of 'Anna Karenina,' delves into the life of one of literature's greatest figures. She discusses Tolstoy's transformation from a soldier in various imperial wars to a critic of the Russian Empire. The conversation highlights his empathy towards the Chechens and his evolving views on the futility of war. Additionally, Bartlett explores Tolstoy's personal struggles, including tensions in his marriage and his journey toward pacifism, revealing the profound impact of his philosophy on future generations.
54:23
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Tolstoy's Ancestor and Peter the Great
One of Tolstoy's ancestors, Pyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy, served Peter the Great.
He was involved in retrieving Peter's errant son, who was later tortured and killed.
insights INSIGHT
Tolstoy's Complex Personality
Tolstoy was described as attractive but difficult, prone to rubbing people the wrong way.
He was self-conscious about his appearance and orphaned at a young age.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Tolstoy's Dissolute Youth
As a youth, Tolstoy was described as crude and dissolute, driven by ambition, vanity, and lust.
He gambled heavily, dropped out of university, and contracted venereal diseases.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Published in 1878, 'Anna Karenina' is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that delves into the complexities of Russian society in the late 19th century. The story centers around the extramarital affair between Anna Karenina, a married socialite, and Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, which scandalizes the social circles of Saint Petersburg. The novel also follows the parallel story of Konstantin Levin, a wealthy landowner, and his struggles with marriage, faith, and managing his estate. Tolstoy explores a wide range of themes including love, loyalty, betrayal, hypocrisy, and the differences between rural and urban life. The novel is known for its detailed character development and its profound commentary on the human condition[2][4][5].
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements[3][4][5].
Haji Murat
Lev Nikolaevič Tolstoy
Роман «Хаджи-Мурат» — последнее произведение Льва Толстого, написанное между 1896 и 1904 годами и опубликованное посмертно в 1912 году. История рассказывает о Хаджи-Мурате, знаменитом чеченском повстанческом лидере, который заключает неустойчивый союз с русскими, чтобы отомстить и спасти свою семью, захваченную имамом Шамилем. Роман исследует темы сопротивления и конфликта между христианской Россией и мусульманским Кавказом.
The Savage Storm
The Battle for Italy 1943
James Holland
James Holland's 'The Savage Storm' provides an unflinching and insightful look at the opening months of the Italian Campaign. The book weaves together letters, diaries, and other documents to recount the battles from the perspectives of Allied, Axis, and civilian participants. It reappraises the reputations of senior commanders and highlights the challenges faced by Allied troops due to limited resources allocated to Italy.
Tolstoy was one of the greatest writers of all time. His books have constructed how we think about Russian imperial history. But he was not just an observer, he was also a participant. As a young man, Tolstoy fought in several of Russia's imperial wars– against the Chechens and the Ottoman Turks, then against both the French and the British in the Crimea. As he matured he grew far more critical of Russian Empire building and lamented the futility of war and conquest. His writings were a driver of the growing disillusionment with tsarism, and he began to be censored by the regime. So great was his influence that Lenin himself wrote about his role in the Russian Revolution. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Tolstoy's biographer Rosamund Bartlett to unpick this remarkable life.
Empire 
