Reviews

This was assigned for a philosophy college course that I was not particularly enjoying, so I did not have high hopes for this read. I worried it would be too overly complicated for me, which was my main issue in the class.

I was very, very wrong. It was immensely enjoyable and thought-provoking, and I am glad I read it as a 20-year-old who still has time in their life rather than a dying woman cursing her own decisions. I became aware that I had lived the past 6 years doing what I thought would make other people happy for me, that they could think I live a good life with what I've got rather than actively doing what makes *me* happy. As such, I am declaring a double major and thinking about a career outside of education.

Ivan Ilych may have led a life not worth living, but at least he made me realize I might've walked down that same path before it was too late.

apprentice322's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mercurue's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

mrei's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Knap hoe Tolstoj in zo'n kort verhaal een heel leven schetst, met genoeg details om de personages en de omgeving heel tastbaar te maken. Het thema zal mensen denk ik altijd blijven aanspreken en dat maakt dit verhaal in zekere zin tijdloos.

taniguchi_c's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

fakk3uzi's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Vida, agonía y muerte de Ivan Ilich; un funcionario ruso con una vida normal para la época. Relato del miedo a la muerte, a lo desconocido, a no haber hecho lo correcto. Merece la pena vivir? Muchas preguntas de libre interpretación por parte del lector. Se lee en hora y media (corroboro)

smurphy5337's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

3.0

A reflection on life, death, and what they both should be or could be. A good introduction to Tolstoy

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