The Diaries of Sofia Tolstoy

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More by Cathy Porter : The Diaries of Sofia Tolstoy

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“[A] testament to a great spirit, a woman who lived in terrifying proximity to one of the greatest writers of all time, and who understood exactly the high price she would have to pay for this privilege.”

—Jay Parini, author of The Last Station

Translated by Cathy Porter and with an introduction by Nobel Laureate Doris Lessing, The Diaries of Sofia Tolstoy chronicles in extraordinary detail the diarist’s remarkable marriage to the legendary man of letters, Count Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Set against the backdrop of Russia’s turbulent history at the turn of the 20th century, The Diaries of Sofia Tolstoy offers a fascinating look at a remarkable era, a complicated artist, and the extraordinary woman who stood at his side.

But what was it truly like to live with, love, and challenge one of literature’s most formidable figures?
A Tumultuous Marriage: An unflinching, day-by-day account of the forty-eight-year marriage to Leo Tolstoy, from passionate early days to the bitter arguments and reconciliations of their later years.Literary History from the Inside: Witness the creation of literary masterpieces as Sofia copies War and Peace and Anna Karenina by hand, offering her own sharp critiques and insights into her husband’s genius.A Window into Russian History: Experience life within the Russian aristocracy against the backdrop of a nation in turmoil, from the emancipation of the serfs to the dawn of revolution.An Essential Work of Women’s History: Discover the personal voice of an extraordinary woman struggling with motherhood, her identity, and the overwhelming price of living in the shadow of a great man.

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