batbones 's review for:

The Death of Ivan Ilyich/Master and Man by Leo Tolstoy

4.0

---

Loved both stories, especially how the first dealt with the notion of how realising one's own death makes us reflect on a life well lived, or realise with horror one that is not. This translation seems more...modern than some I've read - maybe in the use of words or style. Overall a succinct introduction to Tolstoy (since I'm deciding whether it would be a suitable read for a thirteen year old acquaintance); the length, speed and flow are perfect. The footnotes would be much better were they printed at the bottom of each page - that way I wouldn't have to disrupt the flow of the story by constantly flipping to the back, and it would've ensured I dutifully read every single painstakingly noted footnote the translator invested time in.