Leo Tolstoy in Conversation with Four Peasant Sectarian Writers: The Complete Correspondence

Andrew Donskov takes a critical look not only at Tolstoy’s attitude towards the peasant class he so often championed for their simple ways and freedom from upper-class sophistication and pretentiousness, but more importantly, gives voice to representatives of the peasant class itself.

The theme of the peasantry is central throughout most of Tolstoy’s long career. His obsession with this class is seen not just as a matter of social or humanitarian concern, but as a response to the questions ...