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The Death of Ivan Ilyich
- Narrated by: Simon Prebble
- Length: 2 hrs and 35 mins
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The Death of Ivan Ilyich
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Publisher's Summary
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.
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Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 29-09-2021
Gripping
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!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 17-03-2022
Masterpiece
One of the best books of all time; everyone should read it at least once
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 13-09-2022
Beautiful in its misery.
I think I'll go back for a second listen to make sure I soak it all up.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-11-2022
Genius
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 .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 20-12-2022
timeless insight into the human condition
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Webstani
- 10-09-2023
Emotionally confronting
There is no escape from your own mortality and this is a brutal reminder. Superb narration and, of course, another Tolstoy masterpiece.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- j
- 04-05-2022
Accessible Tolstoy
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
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robyn
- 20-07-2022
Excellent
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.
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