Scan barcode
nuii's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Haunting depiction of dying, the fear and agony of such process and of death itself. It's not easy to read, and there's much to reflect on. I can't quite say I enjoyed it, but in ways I'm glad to have read it as it is thought provoking.
However, watch out for the depressiveness this may evoke.
However, watch out for the depressiveness this may evoke.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
jckdyle's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
relf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A short and dark meditation on death and dying. Ivan Ilyich, a judge, has led a superficially successful but unfulfilling, unexamined life. A painful illness causes him to reflect on the triviality of his life and the unfairness of his coming death. Only a servant, a simple, loyal young man, brings him any solace on his death bed. I read the novella having just watched the film "Living," based on the Kurosawa film "Ikiru" ("To Live"), which in turn was based on this book. While "Ikiru" was the darker of the two films, neither was as dark as Tolstoy's vision; both films' protagonists achieve real redemption through practical works of kindness before their deaths, which Ivan does not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
Moderate: Medical content
pythonesque's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
aritag's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
kajasversion's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really liked the writing. The story and the message also were sad but hopeful. I cried because my grandma recently passed away and his death was quite similar.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
irenelpynn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and Terminal illness
cheuksin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Feels Shakespearen.
Even before he starts dying Ivan suffers from his own success. And his family suffers with him.
Ivan Ilych is very similar to levin Constantine demitrich in Anna Karenina.
In reality it was just what is usually seen in the houses of people of moderate means who want to appear rich, and therefore succeed only in resembling others like themselves: there are damasks, dark wood, plants, rugs, and dull and polished bronzes—all the things people of a certain class have in order to resemble other people of that class.
I read Anna Karenina and loved it but perhaps that was because it was so long that I had to become invested in the characters
It’s like Macbeth but with the feeling of immortality. Ngl I wouldn’t recommend this book
Even before he starts dying Ivan suffers from his own success. And his family suffers with him.
Ivan Ilych is very similar to levin Constantine demitrich in Anna Karenina.
I read Anna Karenina and loved it but perhaps that was because it was so long that I had to become invested in the characters
It’s like Macbeth but with the feeling of immortality. Ngl I wouldn’t recommend this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
ruthmoog's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
4.0
I can't really describe this as enjoyable, but it was quite good... Just rather bleak! Themes of class and politics are beside the interplay of physical and mental experience from living -or dying- with chronic pain.
And it's short for a Tolstoy!
And it's short for a Tolstoy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism and Misogyny
franksalot's review against another edition
4.0
a slow start but a really fascinating depiction of the effect prolonged illness can have on your mental health
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness