Why is Tolstoy so Addictive

As this author begins her third audio book by Leo Tolstoy this month she takes a moment to ponder what it is that makes his works so addictive even after they have been translated from Russian to English. 
Seriously, as each chapter ends there is an almost hunger for the next to begin. 
Does anyone else have an old classic author who they not only can't put down but can't resist picking up?