The Ultimate Guide to Leo Tolstoy Books Pdf Free Download: Where to Find Them, How to Read Them, and What to Expect from Them
Leo Tolstoy Books Pdf Free Download: A Guide for Literature Lovers
If you are a fan of classic literature, you have probably heard of Leo Tolstoy, one of the greatest writers of all time. His novels, such as War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are widely regarded as masterpieces of realism, rich in detail, character development, and moral insight. His short stories, such as The Death of Ivan Ilyich and The Kreutzer Sonata, are also powerful and profound, exploring the themes of life, death, love, and morality.
Leo Tolstoy Books Pdf Free Download
But how can you access and enjoy these amazing works of literature without spending a fortune on buying or borrowing physical books? The answer is simple: you can download them in PDF format for free from the internet. In this article, we will show you how to do that, and also give you some tips and recommendations on how to make the most out of your reading experience.
Who was Leo Tolstoy and why should you read his books?
Before we dive into the practical aspects of finding and downloading Leo Tolstoy books in PDF format, let's take a moment to appreciate who he was and why his books are so valuable and relevant today.
A brief biography of Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828 in Yasnaya Polyana, a rural estate in Russia. He belonged to a noble family, but he was not interested in the aristocratic lifestyle. He studied law and languages at the University of Kazan, but he dropped out without completing his degree. He then joined the army and fought in the Crimean War, where he witnessed the horrors of war firsthand. He also traveled extensively in Europe, where he encountered different cultures and philosophies.
Tolstoy began writing while he was in the army, publishing his first novel, Childhood, in 1852. He followed it with two more novels, Boyhood and Youth, which formed a trilogy based on his own life. He then wrote several short stories and novellas, such as The Cossacks, Family Happiness, and Sevastopol Sketches.
In 1862, he married Sophia Andreevna Behrs, who was 16 years younger than him. They had 13 children together, but their marriage was not always happy. Sophia helped Tolstoy with his writing career, copying his manuscripts and managing his finances. She also supported his social causes, such as establishing schools for peasants and promoting pacifism.
Tolstoy's most famous novels were written during his middle age. War and Peace (1869) is an epic historical novel that depicts the lives of five aristocratic families during the Napoleonic Wars. Anna Karenina (1877) is a tragic romance that explores the themes of love, marriage, family, and society. Both novels are considered among the greatest works of literature ever written, praised for their realism, complexity, and psychological depth.
In his later years, Tolstoy underwent a spiritual crisis and a radical transformation. He rejected his previous works as immoral and superficial, and embraced a new philosophy based on Christianity, pacifism, and anarchism. He wrote several religious and ethical works, such as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, What I Believe, and The Gospel in Brief. He also wrote more short stories and novellas, such as The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Resurrection, and The Kreutzer Sonata.
Tolstoy died in 1910 at the age of 82, after leaving his home and family in search of a simpler life. He was revered by millions of people around the world as a moral leader and a literary genius. His legacy continues to inspire and influence many writers, artists, thinkers, and activists today.
The main themes and genres of Leo Tolstoy's works
Leo Tolstoy's works cover a wide range of themes and genres, reflecting his diverse interests and experiences. Some of the main themes that he explored in his writings are:
War and peace: Tolstoy was fascinated by the causes and effects of war, both on individuals and on nations. He portrayed war as a senseless and destructive phenomenon, but also as a catalyst for human growth and change. He also advocated for peace and nonviolence as the only way to achieve true happiness and harmony.
Love and marriage: Tolstoy was interested in the nature and dynamics of love, both romantic and familial. He depicted love as a powerful and complex emotion, capable of both elevating and ruining human lives. He also examined the institution of marriage, its advantages and disadvantages, its challenges and rewards.
Life and death: Tolstoy was obsessed with the meaning and purpose of life, especially in the face of death. He explored the questions of why we live, how we should live, what happens after we die, and how we can cope with mortality. He also expressed his views on religion, morality, and spirituality.
Society and culture: Tolstoy was critical of the social and cultural norms that governed his time and place. He exposed the hypocrisy, corruption, injustice, and inequality that plagued his society. He also contrasted the urban and rural lifestyles, the rich and the poor, the educated and the ignorant.
As for the genres that he used in his writings, they include:
Realism: Tolstoy was a master of realism, a literary movement that aimed to depict life as it is, without idealizing or romanticizing it. He used realistic details, descriptions, dialogues, and characters to create a vivid picture of his world.
Historical fiction: Tolstoy was also a pioneer of historical fiction, a literary genre that combines historical facts with fictional elements. He used historical events, settings, and figures as the backdrop for his stories, but he also added his own imagination, interpretation, and commentary.
Psychological fiction: Tolstoy was also an innovator of psychological fiction, a literary genre that focuses on the inner lives of the characters. He used various techniques, such as stream of consciousness, flashbacks, dreams, and monologues to reveal the thoughts, feelings, motives, and conflicts of his characters.
The literary and cultural influence of Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy's influence on literature and culture is immense and undeniable. His works have been translated into many languages and adapted into many forms of art. His ideas have inspired many movements and individuals. Some examples are:
Literature: Many writers have acknowledged Tolstoy's influence on their own works or have praised him as one of their favorite authors. Some examples are Anton Chekhov , Fyodor Dostoyevsky , Marcel Proust , James Joyce , Virginia Woolf , Ernest Hemingway , Gabriel GarcÃa Márquez , Salman Rushdie , J.D. Salinger , Haruki Murakami , etc.
Film: Many filmmakers have adapted Tolstoy's works into films or have been influenced by his style or themes. Some examples are Sergei Eisenstein , King Vidor , David Lean , Robert Bresson , Andrei Tarkovsky , Woody Allen , Bernardo Bertolucci , Lars von Trier , etc.
How to find and download Leo Tolstoy books in PDF format for free
Now that you have learned more about Leo Tolstoy and his works, you might be wondering how you can get your hands on them without spending any money. The good news is that you can easily find and download most of his books in PDF format for free from the internet. The reason is that his books are in the public domain, which means that they are no longer protected by copyright and anyone can use them freely.
However, there are some advantages and disadvantages of reading books in PDF format that you should be aware of before you start downloading.
The advantages and disadvantages of reading books in PDF format
Reading books in PDF format has some benefits, such as:
It is convenient and accessible. You can download and store hundreds of books on your device and access them anytime and anywhere. You don't need to carry heavy books around or worry about losing or damaging them.
It is cheap and eco-friendly. You don't need to pay for books or shipping costs, and you don't contribute to paper waste or deforestation. You can also share books with others easily and legally.
It is customizable and interactive. You can adjust the font size, color, brightness, and orientation of the text to suit your preferences and needs. You can also highlight, annotate, bookmark, search, and link the text to other sources.
However, reading books in PDF format also has some drawbacks, such as:
It is less comfortable and enjoyable. Reading on a screen can strain your eyes, cause headaches, and reduce your concentration and retention. You might also miss the tactile and aesthetic experience of holding a physical book, turning its pages, smelling its scent, etc.
It is less reliable and secure. You might lose your books if your device gets damaged, lost, stolen, or hacked. You might also encounter technical issues, such as incompatible formats, corrupted files, slow downloads, etc.
It is less authentic and accurate. You might not get the original or complete version of the book, but a modified or abridged one. You might also encounter errors, such as typos, missing pages, wrong translations, etc.
Therefore, you should weigh the pros and cons of reading books in PDF format before you decide to do so. You should also take some precautions to protect your eyesight, your device, and your data.
The best websites and sources for downloading Leo Tolstoy books in PDF format
If you have decided to read Leo Tolstoy books in PDF format, you might be wondering where to find them online. There are many websites and sources that offer free downloads of his books in various languages and formats. However, not all of them are reliable or safe. Some of them might contain viruses, malware, spam, or ads that could harm your device or compromise your privacy.
To avoid these risks, you should only use reputable and trustworthy websites and sources that provide high-quality and legal downloads of Leo Tolstoy books in PDF format. Here are some of the best ones that we recommend:
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is one of the oldest and largest digital libraries of free ebooks. It has over 60,000 ebooks in various languages and formats that you can download or read online. It also has a dedicated section for Leo Tolstoy's works , where you can find most of his novels , short stories , essays , letters , etc.
To download a book from Project Gutenberg , you just need to click on the title of the book , then choose the PDF option from the list of available formats . You can also browse by author , language , genre , etc.
Internet Archive
Internet Archive is a non-profit organization that preserves and provides access to millions of digital materials , including ebooks , audio , video , images , etc. It has a huge collection of Leo Tolstoy's works , both in original Russian and in various translations . You can find his novels , short stories , essays , diaries , etc.
To download a book from Internet Archive , you just need to click on the title of the book , then choose the PDF option from the list of available formats . You can also browse by creator , subject , collection , etc.
ManyBooks
ManyBooks is a popular website that offers over 50,000 free ebooks in various languages and formats. It has a nice selection of Leo Tolstoy's works , both in original Russian and in various translations . You can find his novels , short stories , essays , etc.
To download a book from ManyBooks , you just need to click on the title of the book , then choose the PDF option from the list of available formats . You can also browse by author , genre , popularity , etc.
Planet eBook
Planet eBook is a website that specializes in classic literature. It has over 80 free ebooks in PDF format that you can download or read online. It has some of Leo Tolstoy's most famous novels , such as War and Peace , Anna Karenina , and Resurrection .
To download a book from Planet eBook , you just need to click on the title of the book , then choose the Download option . You can also browse by title or author .
PDF Drive
PDF Drive is a search engine that helps you find and download free PDF files from various sources. It has over 90 million ebooks in various languages and topics that you can download or read online. It has a decent amount of Leo Tolstoy's works , both in original Russian and in various translations . You can find his novels , short stories , essays , etc.
To download a book from PDF Drive , you just need to type the title or author of the book in the search box , then choose the Download option from the list of results . You can also browse by category or popularity .
How to enjoy and appreciate Leo Tolstoy books in PDF format
Now that you have downloaded some of Leo Tolstoy's books in PDF format, you might be wondering how to read them on your device and get the most out of them. Here are some tips and tricks that we suggest:
Tips and tricks for reading books on your device
Choose a suitable device. You can read books in PDF format on various devices, such as computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, etc. However, not all devices are equally comfortable or convenient for reading. You should choose a device that has a good screen size, resolution, brightness, contrast, and battery life. You should also consider the weight, portability, and durability of the device.
Choose a suitable app. You can read books in PDF format using various apps, such as Adobe Reader, Google Play Books, iBooks, Kindle, etc. However, not all apps are equally user-friendly or functional for reading. You should choose an app that has features that suit your preferences and needs, such as zooming, scrolling, rotating, bookmarking, highlighting, annotating, searching, etc.
Choose a suitable time and place. You can read books in PDF format anytime and anywhere, but you should also consider the impact of your environment and mood on your reading experience. You should choose a time and place that are quiet, comfortable, and distraction-free. You should also avoid reading for too long or too late at night, as it might affect your eyesight, sleep quality, and health.
Choose a suitable pace and style. You can read books in PDF format at your own pace and style, but you should also consider the nature and purpose of your reading. You should choose a pace and style that match your interest level, comprehension level, and learning goal. You should also vary your pace and style according to the content and context of the book.
Recommendations and reviews of some of the best Leo Tolstoy books to start with
If you are new to Leo Tolstoy's works or want to refresh your memory, you might be wondering which books to start with or revisit. Here are some of our recommendations and reviews of some of his best books:
War and Peace
War and Peace is Leo Tolstoy's magnum opus and one of the greatest novels ever written. It is a historical epic that follows the lives of five aristocratic families during the Napoleonic Wars in Russia from 1805 to 1815. It combines fiction with history, romance with philosophy, drama with comedy, realism with fantasy. It explores themes such as war and peace, love and hate, life and death, freedom and fate.
The novel is divided into four volumes and two epilogues. It has over 500 characters and over 1200 pages. It is not an easy read, but it is definitely worth it. It will challenge your mind, touch your heart, and enrich your soul.
Anna Karenina
Anna Karenina is Leo Tolstoy's most famous and most controversial novel. It is a tragic romance that tells the story of Anna Karenina, a married woman who falls in love with a young and handsome officer, Count Vronsky. She leaves her husband and son for him, but she faces the consequences of her actions in a society that condemns her. She struggles with guilt, jealousy, loneliness, and despair.
The novel is divided into eight parts and an epilogue. It has over 200 characters and over 800 pages. It is not only a love story, but also a social commentary, a philosophical inquiry, and a psychological study. It explores themes such as love and marriage, family and society, happiness and misery, faith and doubt.
The novel is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of literature ever written, praised for its realism, complexity, and depth. It will captivate your imagination, move your emotions, and stimulate your intellect.
The Death of Ivan Ilyich
The Death of Ivan Ilyich is Leo Tolstoy's most famous and most influential short story. It is a moral tale that depicts the life and death of Ivan Ilyich, a successful and respected judge who falls ill and realizes that he has wasted his life on trivial and superficial pursuits. He faces his mortality with fear, anger, regret, and denial. He also realizes the hypocrisy and indifference of his family and friends.
The story is divided into 12 chapters and has about 60 pages. It is a simple but powerful story that exposes the meaninglessness and emptiness of modern life. It explores themes such as life and death, truth and illusion, authenticity and conformity.
The story is widely regarded as one of the best examples of existential literature, praised for its clarity, honesty, and insight. It will make you reflect on your own life, values, and choices.
Resurrection
Resurrection is Leo Tolstoy's last and most personal novel. It is a social critique that follows the journey of Prince Nekhlyudov, a wealthy and noble man who tries to redeem himself after he recognizes a former lover among the defendants in a trial. He learns that he is partly responsible for her downfall into prostitution and crime. He decides to help her and other prisoners who are unjustly convicted and mistreated by the corrupt legal system.
The novel is divided into three parts and an epilogue. It has over 100 characters and over 400 pages. It is not only a story of repentance and forgiveness, but also a manifesto of Tolstoy's religious and ethical views. It explores themes such as justice and injustice, sin and salvation, love and hate.
The novel is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and provocative works of literature ever written, praised for its realism, compassion, and courage. It will challenge your conscience, inspire your action, and transform your vision.
The Kreutzer Sonata
The Kreutzer Sonata is Leo Tolstoy's most controversial and most censored short story. It is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Pozdnyshev, a married man who confesses to killing his wife after he suspects her of having an affair with a violinist. He reveals his motives, his feelings, his thoughts, and his opinions on love, sex, marriage, family, society.
The story is divided into 28 chapters and has about 80 pages. It is a shocking but fascinating story that exposes the dark side of human nature. It explores themes such as passion and violence , jealousy and madness , morality and hypocrisy.
The story is widely regarded as one of the most daring and original works of literature ever written , praised for its intensity , complexity ,and depth . It will intrigue your curiosity , stir your emotions ,and provoke your thoughts .
Conclusion
In conclusion , Leo Tolstoy books are among the best books that you can read in your lifetime . They are not only entertaining , but also