What makes for a meaningful human life? Who and what are the most important for you? Leo Tolstoy addresses these questions in his 1886 short story The Death of Ivan Ilyich.
This is a book that I give away often. It is a short book, just over 50 pages long. It can be read from start to finish in a couple of hours.
I share this book with students, friends, employees… anyone who is searching for a more meaningful approach to living their life.
Read: The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Tolstoy
- Paperback from Amazon
- Free pdf from Project Gutenberg
The Death of Ivan Ilych, published in 1886, is a short story by Leo Tolstoy, considered one of the masterpieces of his late fiction, written shortly after his religious conversion of the late 1870s. The Death of Ivan Ilych tells the story of a high-court judge in 19th-century Russia and his sufferings and death from a terminal illness.
If you have read the book, would love your reflections on the book in the comments below.
If you have not read the book, get a copy (amazon | free pdf) and find a couple of hours to read the story… then come back here and let us know your reflections.
3 Reflection Questions for The Death of Ivan Ilyich
- What are the specific factors that lead to Ivan’s life transformation?
- What purpose does Ivan discover for himself?
- What does Ivan’s transformation mean for you and your life?
What are your thoughts?