Tolstoy's diaries /

Leo Tolstoy, one of Russia's greatest and most prolific creative writers, maintained a diary for most of his adult life. Excellently translated in the most complete edition by a renowned Tolstoy scholar, these diaries are now available to the non-Russian reader. The diaries provide excellent background material on Tolstoy the man and on the times in which he lived. During the 63-year span of the diaries, Russia experienced cataclysmic change, and the reader is a witness to these events. But the diaries are much more concerned with the personal occurrences in Tolstoy's life and with his thoughtful, often provocative views on life. His diaries, coupled with those of his wife (The Diaries of Sophia Tolstoy, tr. by Cathy Porter, CH, Mar '86), provide a vivid picture of their stormy love-hate marriage. Highly recommended for all with an interest in Russian culture, literature, and history. Helpful introductory remarks; copious footnotes. For graduate, undergraduate, and public libraries.-E. Yarwood, Eastern Washington University