Tolstoy: The Death of Ivan Ilyich

In this first episode of a new series, Stephen Blackwood reads Leo Tolstoy’s classic novella, ‘The Death of Ivan Ilyich.’ A masterful text from one of history’s great writers, it tells the story of a man whose fatal illness forces him to confront the shallow assumptions of his life and the slowly encroaching, inevitable reality of death. ‘Ivan Ilyich’ is a timeless meditation on the fundamental content of life: finding purpose, loving others, and understanding our finitude. The translation Stephen is reading from—easily found online, if you’d like to follow along—is by Louise and Aylmer Maude. Links of possible interest: ’The Death of Ivan Ilyich’ and elsewhere Ralston College Ralston College Short Courses Stephen Blackwood