Leo Tolstoy's Remarkable Writings and Profound Philosophy

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Leo Tolstoy is perhaps the greatest Russian writer of all time, if not the greatest writer ever. He is a towering figure in Russian literature. His masterpieces such as War and Peace and Anna Karenina always make the list of the best novels of all time.

Here, I will look into Tolstoy’s life, his major novels, his life philosophies and much more.

In the first section, I will compare Tolstoy to the giant of English literature, Charles Dickens. They lived around the same time, more or less so this comparison can give those in the English speaking world the window through which they can understand Tolstoy’s life and writing style.

In the second part, I will discuss Tolstoy’s two masterpieces, Anna Karenina and War and Peace in great details so you get to understand Tolstoy’s mastery of storytelling and his unique insights into the Russian society of the time but more importantly his insights about the human condition.

In the third part I will discuss some life lessons we can learn from Tolstoy as well as a few storytelling techniques. In the final section, I will compare Tolstoy with another giant of Russian literature, Fyodor Dostoevsky to give you even more depth about the man through their similarities and their differences.

By the end of this video, you will know Tolstoy as if he was your wise old grandpa who had some amazing stories to tell and a lot of wisdom to share. You will also learn a lot about Russia and its literature through the lens of a giant who dominates Russian literature.

WHERE TO FIND ME:

🕔Time Stamps🕔
00:00 intro
01:54 Dickens vs Tolstoy
44:02 Anna Karenina
01:07:00 War and Peace
01:42:36 Tolstoy's Storytelling Tips
01:49:48 Dostoevsky vs Tolstoy
02:15:15 Life Lessons from Tolstoy
02:29:02 Last words

#fictionbeast
#russianliterature
#leotolstoy

[simongladdish]

Fantastic video! I read Russian Literature at Oxford but you have taught me even more than my professors there.

[sahilkhurana_]

I'm not watching the video now but will save it for later. Thank you for this, I absolutely love it whenever you make a video, such a pleasure it is to listen to these. 2h30m wow.

[Reza]

Thanks and an extra thanks for captioning the paintings as the cherry on the cake❤❤❤ This takes time and effort and is indeed instructive.

[cheri]

Fiction Beast, you are one of my favorite programs on YouTube.
You bring Dickens, Tolstoy, Doedysifsky, or any writer you discuss with depth with fervor and complete luminosity.
With the deepest appreciation and respect for all your videos.
One question, if I may ask, have you ever written anything?What a dedicated teacher you are.
🙏♥️🌍🎵🎶

[yeyuravi]

Please do a video on Victor Hugo and his masterpiece Les Miserables because its a gem that deserves a video on its own. It was a life changing experience for me and its sad theres not enough content on him on youtube. I really hope you take my suggestion. Thanks a lot!

[Saeder]

Thank you for your work! Amazing production as always!

[Beesmakelifegoo]

I appreciate how you pointed out the differences.
I will read from both before being able to have an opinion.
Thank you.

[misss]

Thank You for this. This year I finished War and Peace and am now about to finish Notes from Underground. This was great timing for me to have this lengthy comparison at the end :)

[Rico-Suave_]

Great video, thank you very much, note to self(nts) watched all of it 2:30:07

[alexclouds]

This video was Amazing! I learned many things from it. I love Russian literature so much. Please make more videos.

[TheKingWhoWins]

Only 10 minutes in but, another intellectually interesting video from you. Thanks for creating these wonderful videos. I was wondering if you have ever, or would ever cover Cormac McCarthy?

[whatyousaydere]

Bro you're awesome. I've never read these authors and don't read much fiction, but I've been listening to your vids at work today, been 5 hours so far, last one was the philosophers piece, and you sir, paint a wonderful picture while spawning the segment in my mind that will now not allow me to ignore their work, and yours.

Thanks for talking about what you love and putting it into the world. Legend.

[robbtaylor]

Simple excellent! Thank you for sharing your depth of knowledge and understanding of Russian history through their son's Tolstoy and Dostoevsky ... simply excellent .

[andrewnippert]

Appreciated the summaries. Perhaps you are selling Tolstoy short a little by saying he "ran away from his wife" at the end of his life when the reality is far more complex and interesting. Both men were very religious, but Dostoevsky was a traditionalist conservative (orthodox) while Tolstoy was a religious and social reformer whose extensive Christian writings and correspondence influenced even Gandhi. Tolstoy's Christian beliefs caused a gradual change in his life and led him on a journey to renounce his wealth and fame, educate the children of his peasants, and even to a desire to give his peasants his land--something that naturally didn't sit well with his wife, who did not share the same level of enlightenment. Tolstoy may deserve some criticism but it needs to be fair and balanced in light of his own personal journey.

[koalasandwich]

Real surprised you haven't done anything with Victor Hugo yet. Here's hoping you do him

[notpub]

Why is it so many in Russian literature attempt suicide but survive? It must be more of a gesture than a true desire to end?

[AvgerinouAna]

Τις ιστορίες του Dickens μέσες άκρες τις καταλαβαίνω ενώ για τα βιβλία του Tolstoy έχω πολλά ερωτήματα. Για τα βιβλία του Dostoevsky ακόμα αναρωτιέμαι. Ο πιο αγαπημένος μου είναι αυτός που καταλαβαίνω λιγότερο
Υ.Γ. Το βίντεο είναι επιπέδου πανεπιστημιακής διατριβής

[Brainteaser]

51:06 Sad, times, the weight of the human helplessness of this hour is breaking even the viren weights.

[Sachie]

The Kreutzer Sonata is my favourite Tolstoy

[notpub]

Will you please contrast Les Miserable and Crime and Punishment?