The Death of Ivan Ilyich cover art

The Death of Ivan Ilyich

Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Death of Ivan Ilyich

By: Leo Tolstoy
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $9.99

Buy Now for $9.99

About this listen

Hailed as one of the world’s masterpieces of psychological realism, The Death of Ivan Ilyich is the story of a worldly careerist, a high-court judge who has never given the inevitability of his death so much as a passing thought. But one day death announces itself to him, and to his shocked surprise, he is brought face-to-face with his own mortality. How, Tolstoy asks, does an unreflective man confront his one and only moment of truth?

The first part of the story portrays Ivan Ilyich’s colleagues and family after he has died, as they discuss the effect of his death on their careers and fortunes. In the second part, Tolstoy reveals the life of the man whose death seems so trivial. The perfect bureaucrat, Ilyich treasured his orderly domestic and office routine. Diagnosed with an incurable illness, he at first denies the truth but is influenced by the simple acceptance of his servant boy, and he comes to embrace the boy’s belief that death is natural and not shameful. He comforts himself with happy memories of childhood and gradually realizes that he has ignored all his inner yearnings as he tried to do what was expected of him. Will Ilyich be able to come to terms with himself before his life ebbs away?

This short novel was the artistic culmination of a profound spiritual crisis in Tolstoy’s own life, a nine-year period following the publication of Anna Karenina, during which he wrote not a word of fiction. A thoroughly absorbing glimpse into the abyss of death, it is also a strong testament to the possibility of finding spiritual salvation.

Public Domain (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction Russia Short Stories

Critic Reviews

“Written more than a century ago, Tolstoy’s work still retains the power of a contemporary novel." ( Publishers Weekly)
All stars
Most relevant  
One of the best books of all time; everyone should read it at least once

Masterpiece

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I was tentative at first, because the story starts with the reaction of people around him to Ivan’s death.
Tolstoy, in his rich prose, then weaves the story of the man - his struggles and his triumphs.
I loved the narration which was expressive but without too much pathos. The story itself has enough sadness and drama. Buckle up for a relatively short intense ride!

Gripping

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I think I'll go back for a second listen to make sure I soak it all up.

Beautiful in its misery.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The description of a terminally ill persons emotions is fascinating. The complexity of describing dying and at the same time bring the plot to a peak and keep it engaging is absolutely genius!
Loved it .

Genius

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Sharply observed yet empathetic sketch of patients and partners facing illness and mortality. The critique of doctors is as relevant today as it was then. Medical science may advance, but humans are human, and uncertainty is as certain as death and taxes. The story perfectly captures illness as a complex interplay between physiology, psychology, and sociology.

timeless insight into the human condition

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

There is no escape from your own mortality and this is a brutal reminder. Superb narration and, of course, another Tolstoy masterpiece.

Emotionally confronting

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

A magnificent narration of a truly great short novel: the story perceptive and moving; the narrator perfectly delivers the mood
The theme is timeless- one not to be missed

Accessible Tolstoy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

There's nothing I could say about this famous novel that hasn't already been said millions of times, so I'll just stick to giving it five stars. Simon Prebble's narration is perfect so he gets five stars too.

Excellent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.