Reviews

كم هو نصيب الإنسان من الأرض by ليو تولستوي, Leo Tolstoy

happea's review against another edition

inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

How Much Land Does a Man Need? by Leo Tolstoy captures the essence of greed and temptation as the protagonist, Pakhom, strives for more land in an effort to achieve happiness and security.  He covets all that others have, unable to be satiated with what he owns. There's a religious facet to Tolstoy's writing as

Pakhom is enticed by the Devil after him and his wife proclaim that they fear no one and bow to no authority as long as land is abundant, suggesting they are not religious. The first mention of God comes only as Pakhom nears his death, perhaps Tolstoy's method of promoting faith in a man who claims to have none.

The ending was a stark reminder of the things we truly own. Overall, the read was enjoyable, at times repetitive and predictable, but the emphasis of avarice did give a true perspective on society. 

Tolstoy's What Men Live By gave a generous viewpoint of what dwells in man, or what should dwell in man, but the overly religious focus and simpleness that

love is the answer

provided a self-righteous undertone that wasn't to my taste. 

Altogether, my final rating is taken from a 3.25/5 for How Much Land Does a Man Need? and 2.75/5 for What Men Live By.

simplyycharlii's review against another edition

4.0

3.5

severin23's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

vanitas's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

ambrou's review against another edition

inspiring reflective 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

4.0

diannemarini's review against another edition

inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I love Tolstoy's short stories. That's all I have to say.

talitha's review against another edition

2.5

How much land does a man need? 2* 
What men live by 3* 

Moralistische verhalen. Weinig ruimte voor eigen interpretatie. Wel prima korte verhalen, structuur wordt goed neergezet. 

sonyapenkova's review against another edition

inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

lucazani11's review against another edition

5.0

Two incredible stories about death and the Divine, about selflessness and charity and greed and understanding human nature.

kylec97's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.0