Walk in the Light and Twenty Three Tales by Leo Tolstoy

Walk in the Light and Twenty Three Tales is a collection of Tolstoy’s spiritual and religious inspired stories. These works are uploaded with permission from The Plough Publishing House, copyright 2011. Leo Tolstoy is considered one of history’s greatest writers. He is known mostly for his epic works like Anna Karenina and War and Peace. Yet most of his short stories are unknown to many. In Walk in the Light and Twenty Three Tales we find Tolstoy’s spirituality and fascination with  the early Christians. Download the free work here as a PDF e-book (274 pages):

Walk In The Light by Leo Tolstoy

Who was Leo Tostoy?

Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, commonly known as Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), stands as a towering figure in the pantheon of world literature. Born into Russian nobility, Tolstoy’s extensive body of work spans novels, short stories, plays, and essays, showcasing his profound insights into human nature, ethics, and society. His most celebrated novels, “War and Peace” (1869) and “Anna Karenina” (1877), are exemplified by their intricate character development, sweeping narratives, and thoughtful exploration of themes such as morality, free will, and the search for meaning in life.

Detailed realism

Tolstoy’s literary style is characterized by his use of detailed realism and psychological depth. His ability to depict the minutiae of everyday life, combined with his acute observation of the human condition, has earned him acclaim as one of the greatest novelists of all time. Beyond his literary achievements, Tolstoy was also a prominent moral philosopher and social reformer. In his later years, he became a vocal advocate for nonviolent resistance, a stance that influenced figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

His philosophical treatises and religious writings, including “The Kingdom of God Is Within You” (1894), criticized the church, state, and the injustices of Russian society, promoting instead a doctrine of pacifism, personal morality, and social responsibility based on the teachings of Jesus Christ as he understood them. Tolstoy’s radical ideas on Christian anarchism and pacifism contributed to his excommunication from the Russian Orthodox Church in 1901.

Rights of the peasant class

Despite his aristocratic background, Tolstoy spent the latter part of his life advocating for the rights of the peasant class and promoting a return to a simpler, more ethical way of life. This ideological shift not only influenced his philosophical and religious writings but also led to a personal crisis that he documented in “A Confession” (1882), detailing his search for existential meaning.

Tolstoy’s legacy extends far beyond his literary output. His commitment to social justice, his critique of institutional power, and his enduring quest for moral clarity continue to resonate with readers and thinkers worldwide. His works and his life’s journey reflect a perpetual quest for truth, making him a pivotal figure in the realms of literature, philosophy, and social activism.