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Father Sergius & Other Short Stories: A Compilation of Spiritual Writings
Tolstoy is perhaps best recognized as the author of the classic novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina. While he was able to sustain complex and moving plots though large novels, his ability as a great writer also is demonstrated in his many short stories. Tolstoy brings to these brief tales the same psychological depth and spiritual insight found in his large novels. In fact, his short stories are an excellent place to begin reading this great author. You will find his challenging themes of morality, forgiveness, redemption, and more. // Here Hovel Audio has collected several of Tolstoy's most-loved short stories. Hovel has paid special attention, focusing on themes of spiritual significance. The stories in this collection include: // God Sees the Truth but Waits (1872) // A Prisoner in the Caucus (1872) // Alyosha the Pot (1805) // Father Sergius (w1890-98, p1811) // What Men Live By (1881) // Where God Is Love Is (1885).
4 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2005
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About the author
Leo Tolstoy
7,991 books28.6k followersLev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (Russian: Лев Николаевич Толстой; most appropriately used Liev Tolstoy; commonly Leo Tolstoy in Anglophone countries) was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist fiction. Many consider Tolstoy to have been one of the world's greatest novelists. Tolstoy is equally known for his complicated and paradoxical persona and for his extreme moralistic and ascetic views, which he adopted after a moral crisis and spiritual awakening in the 1870s, after which he also became noted as a moral thinker and social reformer.
His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him in later life to become a fervent Christian anarchist and anarcho-pacifist. His ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal twentieth-century figures as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him in later life to become a fervent Christian anarchist and anarcho-pacifist. His ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal twentieth-century figures as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
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October 18, 2024Heavy-handed Christian parables; probably a better read at the time they were written.
October 5, 2009
A nice collection. I read someone somewhere say that Tolstoy's short stories were a great introduction to his works, and since I haven't read more than a few abridged versions of his writings, in my voracious-reading youth, I picked up another collection of his short stories earlier this year, and read "Death of Ivan Ilych" and "Family Happiness", both of which were *great*, and also recommended.
I'm finding audiobooks pretty fulfilling these days. I've always appreciated them for when you have things to do that require your eyes and hands but little or none of your mind. So, now that I'm sharing babycare duties in the mornings, between that and lawncare, I can manage to get a lot more reading done that I otherwise would, with all the distractions of new fatherhood, work, home ownership--life.
Anyhow, this audiobook collection features six of Tolstoy's stories with somehow spiritual/religious themes. That thread is pretty obvious in all but one or two of the stories, but they fit together well. Stories that illustrate the beauty of honest, humble, God-fearing, self-forgetting lives. Of loss, unjust suffering, and fate, earnestness, the meaning of the Gospels, the nature and purpose of life. Mostly set in the context of humble, hardworking people, though not entirely.
These stories also of course feature Tolstoy's typically (apparently) amazing gift of insight into human nature in its myriad forms, his knack for tracing the developing curve of a variety of lives over time. At their best, they provide beautifully-wrought suspense and unexpected plot turns, repeatedly setting the reader up for what seems inevitable, only for things to go otherwise time and again, until, when what once seemed inevitable no longer does, it happens--but so softly and gently that the reader never sees it coming.
So, for a breakdown, since most of theses stories, in my mind, were certainly better than others; here are my brief general reviews of the stories, in the order they're presented.
1) Father Sergius - Loved it. Uncannily insightful into human, and religious, nature... I love the way it humanizes and makes real the motivations, thought life, and sincere struggles of monastics. For me, it put imaginative flesh and bone on mythic saints like St. Antony and other desert fathers. A bit of a naturalistic approach to some things, perhaps, but not bad in that respect even. Very good story, masterfully told.
2) God sees the truth, but waits - Beautiful, and insightful tragedy.
3) A Prisoner in the Caucuses - Didn’t have much use for this one personally, but it was an alright story. Certainly didn’t see the religious theme, other than a consideration of fate at the very end. In that sense only, reminded me slightly of "Ivan Ilych".
4) What Men Live By - Stunningly brilliant and beautiful. Can’t say too much about the story without a spoiler, but--very highly recommended.
5) Where Love Is, God Is - A pleasant story, with an obvious, but heartwarming and exhortatory plot.
6) Alyosha the Pot - Very short, but sweet.
Overall, a recommended collection by Tolstoy, and another great rendering by Simon Vance and Hovel Audio. If anything, read "What Men Live By", and if anything else, read "Father Sergius" and "Where Love Is, God Is". My favorites from this selection, in that order.
I'm finding audiobooks pretty fulfilling these days. I've always appreciated them for when you have things to do that require your eyes and hands but little or none of your mind. So, now that I'm sharing babycare duties in the mornings, between that and lawncare, I can manage to get a lot more reading done that I otherwise would, with all the distractions of new fatherhood, work, home ownership--life.
Anyhow, this audiobook collection features six of Tolstoy's stories with somehow spiritual/religious themes. That thread is pretty obvious in all but one or two of the stories, but they fit together well. Stories that illustrate the beauty of honest, humble, God-fearing, self-forgetting lives. Of loss, unjust suffering, and fate, earnestness, the meaning of the Gospels, the nature and purpose of life. Mostly set in the context of humble, hardworking people, though not entirely.
These stories also of course feature Tolstoy's typically (apparently) amazing gift of insight into human nature in its myriad forms, his knack for tracing the developing curve of a variety of lives over time. At their best, they provide beautifully-wrought suspense and unexpected plot turns, repeatedly setting the reader up for what seems inevitable, only for things to go otherwise time and again, until, when what once seemed inevitable no longer does, it happens--but so softly and gently that the reader never sees it coming.
So, for a breakdown, since most of theses stories, in my mind, were certainly better than others; here are my brief general reviews of the stories, in the order they're presented.
1) Father Sergius - Loved it. Uncannily insightful into human, and religious, nature... I love the way it humanizes and makes real the motivations, thought life, and sincere struggles of monastics. For me, it put imaginative flesh and bone on mythic saints like St. Antony and other desert fathers. A bit of a naturalistic approach to some things, perhaps, but not bad in that respect even. Very good story, masterfully told.
2) God sees the truth, but waits - Beautiful, and insightful tragedy.
3) A Prisoner in the Caucuses - Didn’t have much use for this one personally, but it was an alright story. Certainly didn’t see the religious theme, other than a consideration of fate at the very end. In that sense only, reminded me slightly of "Ivan Ilych".
4) What Men Live By - Stunningly brilliant and beautiful. Can’t say too much about the story without a spoiler, but--very highly recommended.
5) Where Love Is, God Is - A pleasant story, with an obvious, but heartwarming and exhortatory plot.
6) Alyosha the Pot - Very short, but sweet.
Overall, a recommended collection by Tolstoy, and another great rendering by Simon Vance and Hovel Audio. If anything, read "What Men Live By", and if anything else, read "Father Sergius" and "Where Love Is, God Is". My favorites from this selection, in that order.
October 19, 2024
I love the bite-sized version of Tolstoy in his short stories. He's one of my favorite authors because he describes seemingly normal people in very engaging ways. This group of short stories is dripping with religious themes and overt questions of faith and temptation. In truly Russian fashion those questions are explored through kidnapping, killing horses, and the infamous chopping of a thumb. I love it.
February 26, 2018
The subtitle: A Compilation of Spiritual Writings. These stories burst my expectations. They are wonderful, though a couple ended earlier than expected, and thus the point eluded me--another reason to listen again.
The six stories:
In "Father Sergius," the inner life of a holy father reveals one who struggles with holiness.
In another story, a man serves 26 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, until he comes across another man who may be the actual murderer. The title adds another dimension not discussed in the story: "God Sees the Truth, But Waits."
"What Men Live By" is surprising in its development as a struggling cobbler and his wife take in a naked foreigner.
"A Prisoner in the Caucuses" does what he can to get by and to attempt to escape.
"Where Love Is God Is" spotlights another cobbler, this one waiting for Christ to show up.
"Alyosha The Pot" shows a young man, simple and hard-working and crying only once.
These stories stir reverence for God, faith in at least some strains of humanity, appreciation for at least the character-promoting tendencies of poverty and privation, and admiration for Tolstoy.
The six stories:
In "Father Sergius," the inner life of a holy father reveals one who struggles with holiness.
In another story, a man serves 26 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, until he comes across another man who may be the actual murderer. The title adds another dimension not discussed in the story: "God Sees the Truth, But Waits."
"What Men Live By" is surprising in its development as a struggling cobbler and his wife take in a naked foreigner.
"A Prisoner in the Caucuses" does what he can to get by and to attempt to escape.
"Where Love Is God Is" spotlights another cobbler, this one waiting for Christ to show up.
"Alyosha The Pot" shows a young man, simple and hard-working and crying only once.
These stories stir reverence for God, faith in at least some strains of humanity, appreciation for at least the character-promoting tendencies of poverty and privation, and admiration for Tolstoy.
May 31, 2012
It was interesting as a diversion from the usual. Tolstoy, much like fellow Russian author Dostoyevsky usually have very deep and recurring religious themes in their stories. This was the case here.
Interesting.
Interesting.
bits-and-pieces
October 10, 2020Although I read only the first story I highly recommend it. I just don't have time these days for the rest. The first is quite a long story about an extraordinarily proud man who becomes a monk and who develops humility through a life-long series of struggles with himself. Although this is not an idea in step with our time, or probably any other, it's a very Tolstoyan idea and a good evocation of how our delusions and sense of identity operate.
February 18, 2023
Re: the title story - I too find it a struggle to be so capable, so successful, and to have to fend off so many females of the world because - evidently - all females desire me so. Off I go! Ahh to be a pilgrim thro and thro! Forgive me my Lo' !
"Prisoner of the Caucuses" was a gem. "Alyosha the Pot" is one of my favourite short stories: simple, powerful, poignant.
"Prisoner of the Caucuses" was a gem. "Alyosha the Pot" is one of my favourite short stories: simple, powerful, poignant.
May 16, 2020
Was this collection by Tolstoy... bad? I certainly think so. If someone had told me it was a list of old Christian stories told to instruct children, I'd believe it. Just not seeing the brilliance of Anna Karenina in these stories. Simon Vance is a great narrator though.
May 10, 2022
This book is somewhat the "religious" collection of Tolstoy's short stories, and they're great of course. Feel like being planted in the 1800's, and although lifestyles are different, fundamentals of character, right/wrong and love are unchanged.
September 3, 2018
A couple of these are great, but most are overly steeped in obvious religious lessons.
July 22, 2019
Delicious suffering. There's so much delight in the suffering of others, especially the tempted priest who chops off a finger.
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July 1, 20244 stars. It shows as just a few pages, but it is more
October 23, 2024
great short stories by a great wrier, as expected.
April 18, 2019
Idea/Execution 4.2
Intrigue 3.8
Style/Richness 4.0
Rating 4.0
Intrigue 3.8
Style/Richness 4.0
Rating 4.0
February 13, 2017
Always difficult rating a collection.
The first story, Father Sergius felt like a Chekov story except for the religious turn at the end- 4stars.
My favorite was "A Prisoner in the Caucuses" - 4stars. I loved the description of the landscape as well as the overall plot.
The others were all two/three stars.
Oh, and Simon Vance the reader is brilliant! I enjoyed his different voices and accents. I believe I enjoyed the stories quite a bit more because he read them.
The first story, Father Sergius felt like a Chekov story except for the religious turn at the end- 4stars.
My favorite was "A Prisoner in the Caucuses" - 4stars. I loved the description of the landscape as well as the overall plot.
The others were all two/three stars.
Oh, and Simon Vance the reader is brilliant! I enjoyed his different voices and accents. I believe I enjoyed the stories quite a bit more because he read them.
October 21, 2013
Tolstoy is a master storyteller. Besides his two famous novels Anna Karenina and War and Peace he also wrote numerous short stories and novellas. This compilation has six stories that focus on loss, powerty, unjust suffering, religious doubt, forgiveness and compassion.
The first one - and the longest - is also the best, Father Sergius. It's about a young man in the military with a promising career, who give up everything to become a monk, later a hermit and a pilgrim. But throughout his life he doubt's his way of life and the meaning of existence, believing he's a complete failure. It's a moving portrait. Also I liked The Prisoner of Caucuses which is an exhilarating escape-story and God Sees the Truth, but Waits about a man who is unjustly sentenced for a murder. Two of the stories work more like gospel-parables. They are moving, but very sentimental and too heavy on moral teaching.
The first one - and the longest - is also the best, Father Sergius. It's about a young man in the military with a promising career, who give up everything to become a monk, later a hermit and a pilgrim. But throughout his life he doubt's his way of life and the meaning of existence, believing he's a complete failure. It's a moving portrait. Also I liked The Prisoner of Caucuses which is an exhilarating escape-story and God Sees the Truth, but Waits about a man who is unjustly sentenced for a murder. Two of the stories work more like gospel-parables. They are moving, but very sentimental and too heavy on moral teaching.
May 17, 2007
The only short story I really read was Father Sergeius, but it has been one of my favorites since high school. I don't know what it is about it, but despite all the tribulations and sadness Katzatzky goes through, I still feel like I can relate to his quest to find a purpose in life and his struggle with morality and religion.
July 15, 2008
An intimate look at relationships, spirituality, and human friction by a master.
November 17, 2011
I downloaded it from feedbooks -only got to read "Father Sergius" and not the other stories. It was my first time reading Tolstoy and I fell in love right away.
February 23, 2012
I think these stories would be great discussion starters for a myriad of topics, mostly religious.
October 3, 2016
Mostly good stories.
July 10, 2008
Life is Ocean of misery.
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March 14, 2019Interesting little collection of stories. Unsurprisingly, my favorite were the ones that emphasized religion the least. "Prisoner in the Caucuses" in particular was a good one for it's vivid descriptions of the landscape and villages.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews