Leo Tolstoy: What Men Live By and Other Tales (Annotated)

This collection features six short stories by Tolstoy, written during a period of spiritual transformation when he deliberately chose to craft simple, parable-like tales that convey profound moral and spiritual lessons. Authored at the height of his literary powers after releasing his masterpieces War and Peace and Anna Karenina, these stories reflect Tolstoy’s personal shift away from celebrated novel writing towards a more humble, religiously inspired narrative style. Translated with care by trusted translators Louise and Aylmer Maude, the stories explore themes of human purpose, faith, and morality through engaging, accessible narratives. Ideal for readers seeking the essence of Tolstoy’s late work without the scale of his epic novels, this collection offers a concise introduction to his spiritual and literary philosophy.