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pillswor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A truly beautiful short story on the experience of death from Tolstoy's own reflection upon faith and religion. I could do without the incredibly repetitive and mundane introduction which makes up half the length of the book. Tolstoy's transformative writing really gets dragged down by Blythe's surface level and faux deep analysis of a text which plainly puts everything at your feet already. I appreciate the real historical context as to what Tolstoy's life was when writing the story though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, and Suicidal thoughts
It is just a story about a man's experience dying. If you're not comfortable with death, topics surrounding it, or the emotions wrapped up in a terminal illness, don't read.venusynth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
A quick and somber read. It helped me realise the enigmatic nature of death, and nudged me to just appreciate the here and now. Not quite as impactful but I still enjoyed following Ivan to his death, as sadistic as that may sound, because I liked how Tolstoy wrote Ivan's disbelief, fear, and the myriad of emotions that come with realising that the only reason he is suffering is an impending death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship
catnip's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a book about a man dying.
It’s about terminal illness and isolation in dying moments. It’s painfully honest.
And I’m giving it a 5-star review. Yep. I’m fine and sober. Maybe too sober. Lol
I devoured this in one sitting. It’s a very short read and it’s also fast-paced. I like that it’s straight to the point: you’re wrong if you think you’re living your best life because you did everything that’s expected of you.
Stop sabotaging your best life by gaining approval from people who are not even gonna show up and hold your hand in your deathbed.
And also, maybe let’s stop denying the inevitability of death?
It’s about terminal illness and isolation in dying moments. It’s painfully honest.
And I’m giving it a 5-star review. Yep. I’m fine and sober. Maybe too sober. Lol
I devoured this in one sitting. It’s a very short read and it’s also fast-paced. I like that it’s straight to the point: you’re wrong if you think you’re living your best life because you did everything that’s expected of you.
Stop sabotaging your best life by gaining approval from people who are not even gonna show up and hold your hand in your deathbed.
And also, maybe let’s stop denying the inevitability of death?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
bethantg's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death
Moderate: Medical content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy
mrbean's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Death of Ivan Ilych is a sombre, satirical thanatography that is rife with philosophical insight and serves as a timeless cautionary tale on how not to live one's life. Tolstoy's examination of Ivan's illness has metaphorical significance. The juxtaposition of the character's ailment to that of society's chronic malady, i.e., keeping up appearances, provides tremendous insight into human nature. As Ivan's impending death approaches, the realisation of the character's mortality gives life poignant depth and a dimension to meaning—one of substance and deep connections—making it possible to live authentically, even on the verge of death.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Terminal illness
ephemeral_remi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Terminal illness
nuii's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Haunting depiction of dying, the fear and agony of such process and of death itself. It's not easy to read, and there's much to reflect on. I can't quite say I enjoyed it, but in ways I'm glad to have read it as it is thought provoking.
However, watch out for the depressiveness this may evoke.
However, watch out for the depressiveness this may evoke.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
jckdyle's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Death, and Death of parent
relf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A short and dark meditation on death and dying. Ivan Ilyich, a judge, has led a superficially successful but unfulfilling, unexamined life. A painful illness causes him to reflect on the triviality of his life and the unfairness of his coming death. Only a servant, a simple, loyal young man, brings him any solace on his death bed. I read the novella having just watched the film "Living," based on the Kurosawa film "Ikiru" ("To Live"), which in turn was based on this book. While "Ikiru" was the darker of the two films, neither was as dark as Tolstoy's vision; both films' protagonists achieve real redemption through practical works of kindness before their deaths, which Ivan does not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
Moderate: Medical content
pythonesque's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness