The Tolstoy Library
Books & Literature
About
In these unabridged readings, Tolstoy's stories are returned to the living voice, as they were first imagined: spoken slowly, as one might speak by firelight. They tell of human hearts in search of truth - of suffering that softens us, love that redeems us, and the unseen bonds that join one life to another. Listen patiently. Let the words pass through you. What is true will remain, and what is false will fall away.
Episodes
- Anna Karenina Part 2 Chapter 10
This episode covers Chapter 10 of Part 2 of Anna Karenina. It focuses on the subtle estrangement between Alexey Alexandrovitch and his wife, Anna, and his unsuccessful attempts to overcome it.
- Anna Karenina Part 2 Chapter 9
Chapter 9 of Anna Karenina Part 2 sees Anna return home with a troubled look. Her husband's gentle caution about societal expectations is met with an impenetrable distance and guarded silence, highlighting the growing rift in their marriag…
- Anna Karenina Part 2 Chapter 8
In chapter 8 of Anna Karenina Part 2, Alexey Alexandrovitch experiences discomfort and internal conflict as he observes his wife. He wrestles with marital duty, social expectations, and unfamiliar thoughts about his wife's inner life.
- Anna Karenina Part 2 Chapter 6
Chapter 6 of Anna Karenina Part 2 depicts a salon gathering where fashionable guests, including a princess and an officer, engage in social conversation, revealing underlying social dynamics through subtle communication.
- Anna Karenina Part 2 Chapter 7
This episode of The Tolstoy Library covers Chapter 7 of Part 2 of Anna Karenina. It focuses on a significant encounter between Anna Karenina and Vronsky during a gathering, highlighting unspoken emotions and moral conflict beneath a veneer…
- Anna Karenina Part 2 Chapter 4
Chapter 4 of Anna Karenina Part 2 delves into Petersburg high society through Anna’s relationships with three social circles. The chapter explores the interplay of intentions and glances within fashionable and official settings.
- Anna Karenina Part 2 Chapter 3
In Chapter 3 of Anna Karenina Part 2, Dolly confronts Kitty's hidden sorrow and anguish, stemming from her grievous pride and a burdened heart. The episode explores the fragility of hope and despair through their emotional exchange.
- Anna Karenina Part 2 Chapter 5
Chapter 5 of Anna Karenina Part 2 details a misguided pursuit of a lady by two young men, with Vronsky attempting to mediate. The story touches upon themes of honor, youthful mistakes, and diplomacy within the regimental community.
- Anna Karenina Part 2 Chapter 1
In Chapter 1 of Anna Karenina Part 2, the focus is on Kitty's delicate health. The household consults various medical opinions, blending science and social norms, and considers travel abroad as a possible remedy.
- Anna Karenina Part 2 Chapter 2
This episode delves into Anna Karenina, Part 2, Chapter 2, highlighting the complexities of family life, Dolly's visit, and the emotional states of Kitty and others as they prepare for a journey.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 34
Vronsky returns to Petersburg and reconnects with his social circle, including Petritsky and the baroness. He finds himself back in a world of carefree gaiety and gossip.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 33
Chapter 33 of Anna Karenina focuses on Alexey Alexandrovitch's official life impacting a domestic evening, highlighting Anna's patient understanding and reflections amidst societal expectations. The narrative subtly explores the tension be…
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 32
In Chapter 32 of Anna Karenina, Anna returns home to her son and finds solace in motherhood and friendships. She calmly reflects on recent events, feeling secure in her husband's trust and her understanding of propriety.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 31
Chapter 31 of Anna Karenina Part 1 details Count Vronsky's intense focus on Anna and his uneasy disdain for her husband. A charged encounter at the station highlights themes of rivalry and social dynamics.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 29
In Chapter 29, Anna Arkadyevna undertakes a cold, snowy journey, grappling with internal unrest. Amidst the train’s noise, she experiences delirium but finds temporary solace on a stormy station platform.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 28
Chapter 28 of Anna Karenina features Anna's troubled departure from Moscow after a ball, where she confides in Dolly about her complex emotions and relationships.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 30
In Chapter 30, Anna experiences a fierce winter storm at a railway station where she meets Vronsky, leading to inner turmoil. Upon reaching Petersburg, her husband's cold demeanor exacerbates her feelings of dissatisfaction.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 27
In Anna Karenina Part 1, Chapter 27, Levin, surrounded by his family home and dog, contemplates the ideal of family life and his future. Inspired by scientific thoughts and simple joys, he resolves to live a better life.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 25
This episode covers Chapter 25 of Anna Karenina, detailing Nikolay Levin's discussion of his labour association and his brother Konstantin's reaction. The chapter explores themes of societal injustice and human frailty.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 26
In Chapter 26 of Anna Karenina Part 1, Levin returns to his country estate. The familiar rural life eases his turmoil, inspiring resolutions for self-improvement and land care. He faces practical duties and prepares for future labor.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 22
Chapter 22 of Anna Karenina Part 1 describes a ball where Kitty experiences social interactions and observes the guests. The atmosphere is filled with music, dancing, and subtle emotional exchanges.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 24
In Chapter 24, Levin visits his brother Nikolay, grappling with self-reproach and a sense of kinship. The encounter reveals Nikolay's suspicion, pride, and warmth, showcasing the complex humanity of his troubled life.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 23
Chapter 23 of 'Anna Karenina' depicts a grand ball, highlighting social dynamics and the inner states of Kitty and Anna. Kitty experiences despair amid subtle shifts, while Anna exerts a powerful fascination.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 19
Chapter 19 of Anna Karenina Part 1 focuses on a wife's sorrow and betrayal, with her sister-in-law Anna offering understanding.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 21
Chapter 21 of Anna Karenina explores the subtle harmonies and tensions within a family gathering at the Oblonskys’. An unexpected visitor’s arrival stirs emotions, highlighting the unseen threads in social interactions.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 20
Anna Arkadyevna rejoins the Oblonskys, finding a domestic atmosphere mixed with children's affection and Kitty's admiration. The evening features conversations about society and past acquaintances.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 16
Chapter 16 of Anna Karenina Part 1 reveals Vronsky's complex feelings as he courts Kitty. He is entranced by affection but distant from family life, finding contentment in society.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 18
In Anna Karenina Part 1, Chapter 18, Vronsky meets Madame Karenina at the train station. Their brief interaction is overshadowed by the sudden, fatal accident of a guard, leaving a lasting impression on the witnesses.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 17
Chapter 17 of Anna Karenina, Part 1, depicts a chance encounter between Vronsky and Stepan Arkadyevitch at the Petersburg railway station. Their conversation touches on mutual acquaintances and romantic interests.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 13
This episode covers chapter 13 of "Anna Karenina Part 1." It focuses on a young woman's internal conflict as a confession and proposal lead to a painful refusal, highlighting the complexities of love and honor.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 15
Kitty finds herself torn between Levin and her beloved, experiencing a mix of happiness and prayer. Her parents engage in a marital dispute regarding marriage prospects and true intentions.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 14
Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin returns to Moscow society, observing social dynamics and engaging in conversations with Kitty, Countess Nordston, and Count Alexey Vronsky, while reflecting on love and belonging.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 12
This episode of The Tolstoy Library covers Chapter 12 of Anna Karenina Part 1, focusing on Princess Kitty Shtcherbatskaya's social prospects and the anxieties surrounding marriage proposals. It examines the interplay between youthful innoc…
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 11
This episode delves into a discussion of love, fidelity, and human desire, as presented in Anna Karenina Part 1, Chapter 11. Two friends confront their differing views and personal challenges.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 10
In Chapter 10, Levin visits Moscow with Stepan Arkadyevitch, experiencing unease with urban refinement and social bustle. He reflects on his rustic simplicity and inner turmoil, confiding conflicted feelings to Stepan.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 8
This episode covers Chapter 8 of "Anna Karenina," Part 1. Levin visits his brother Sergey Ivanovitch, and they discuss farming, local governance, and family issues, including their troubled half-brother Nikolay.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 7
In Chapter 7 of Anna Karenina, Part 1, Levin encounters a philosophical discussion in Moscow concerning existence and consciousness. The debate touches on spiritual questions but ultimately focuses on abstract distinctions, leaving Levin t…
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 9
In Chapter 9 of Anna Karenina Part 1, Levin meets Kitty at the Zoological Gardens. Their shared moments on the ice, filled with subtle gestures and brief words, highlight budding affection and underlying uncertainty, evoking a sense of del…
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 4
Chapter 4 of Anna Karenina, Part 1, focuses on Darya Alexandrovna's emotional distress following her husband's betrayal. The episode explores her internal conflict between despair and maternal obligation within a troubled family setting.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 6
This episode covers Chapter 6 of Anna Karenina Part 1. Konstantin Levin visits Moscow intending to propose to Kitty Shtcherbatsky, grappling with self-doubt and societal expectations.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 5
Stepan Arkadyevitch Oblonsky, a well-connected figure, presides over a Moscow government board, highlighting the privileges and indifference of his duties. He encounters his old friend Levin, whose arrival suggests a meeting of contrasting…
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 2
In Chapter 2 of Anna Karenina Part 1, Stepan Arkadyevitch honestly contemplates his marital problems and the pain he has caused. He hopes his sister's upcoming visit will help resolve his domestic issues.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 1
Stepan Arkadyevitch awakens to the consequences of his actions, which have shattered the domestic peace of the Oblonsky household, leaving a sense of confusion and regret.
- Anna Karenina Part 1 Chapter 3
Chapter 3 of Anna Karenina Part 1 focuses on Stepan Arkadyevitch Oblonsky's morning reflections on his domestic life, societal obligations, and the growing estrangement from his wife.
- Youth Chapters 41-45
This episode covers chapters 41-45 of 'Youth', detailing the challenges of friendship, navigating new social groups, and the impact of examinations on self-reflection.
- Youth Chapters 37-40
In "Youth Chapters 37-40" of The Tolstoy Library, the narrator experiences the complexities of first love and student life while becoming acquainted with the Nechludoff family.
- Youth Chapters 33-36
This episode of The Tolstoy Library covers chapters 33-36 of 'Youth,' focusing on the narrator's changing dynamics with the Epifanov family, the father's upcoming second marriage, and the narrator's experiences returning to university.
- Youth Chapters 29-32
Chapters 29-32 of "Youth" explore strained relationships within the household, contrasting social expectations with the narrator's solace found in music, novels, and nature, which foster his early dreams.
- Youth Chapters 25-28
This episode covers chapters 25-28 of "Youth," detailing a young man's experiences with the Nechludoff family, his internal struggles with desire and vanity, and his journey between social life and his childhood home.
- Youth Chapters 21-24
In "Youth Chapters 21-24" of The Tolstoy Library, the narrator grapples with feelings about inheritance and social status during a visit to Prince Ivan Ivanovitch's. Later, he travels with Dimitri, reflecting on love, friendship, and human…