Reviews with content warning for Grief - The Death of Ivan Ilych

There was no deceiving himself: something terrible, new, and more important than anything before in his life, was taking place within him of which he alone was aware.

Most books one reads are about those living their lives but there are only a few where they are actively dying. A tragic and sad read of the loneliness of dying and the questioning of how one has lived. A beautifully written book where one can't help but sympathize with the struggles of accepting one's impending death and their struggle against it. This will stick with me for some time.

Content Warnings

maria_borges1507's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

One of the best books I have ever read! It certainly makes think about death and life in a whole other way.

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jaiari12's review against another edition

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challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No

3.0

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unoriginalinspiration's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

He considered his duty to be what was so considered by those in authority.

"Why these sufferings?" And the voice answered, "For no reason - they are just so." Beyond and besides this there was nothing.

Review:
This is Mr. Tolstoy's existential and spiritual crisis in the form of a book. Don't get me wrong, I love myself some existentialism, and the author has so perfectly managed to capture the emotions of a man suddenly confronted with his mortality. A man, who has never before reflected on his thoughts and actions, faces his life laid out before him, dealing with his inevitable death and illness.
This book was the first piece of Russian Literature I read, and for anyone looking to start their own Russian lit journey, I would 100% recommend this as well! Its short and it gives you a beautiful look into the style of writing!
This is definitely going to be an amazing read for those who do not contemplate death regularly. Unlike some of us in the book community.
To me, the things laid out in this book, even though it is done so beautifully, do not seem new and thought provoking. Existential crises have evolved over time, have they not? We have so much more to take into consideration when we look at our lives, the technological and cultural growth is immense, the effect an individual has on the planet itself is shocking to take note of. I'm going to cut myself short before I write my own version of the book, but, you get what I mean! There is just a little more spice,(for the lack of a better word), we can add to our own contemplation these days.

Content Warnings

maryxdarko's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This is the first book in a long time that I’ve read in one sitting as well as the fact that it’s my first time reading Tolstoy, and I’m so glad that it was this book. Never had I read a book about death, maybe except The Book Thief, that confronted the question of life and death. As humans we are afraid of the unknown so when it’s time to confort the unknown, it’s terrifying and this book truly encompasses that feeling. Also I love some existential literature.

Content Warnings

aconfundityofcrows's review against another edition

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dark reflective slow-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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