The Death of Ivan Ilyich

Exploring themes of societal deceit and the politics of family, this novella presents a stark examination of mortality and the human condition. Through the life and death of Ivan Ilyich, Tolstoy critiques the wealthier classes' tendency to overlook the inevitability of death, revealing the emptiness of a life lived for social approval. Published in 1886, it is celebrated as a profound masterpiece that challenges readers to confront their own perceptions of life and death.