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The Death of Ivan Ilych

Leo Tolstoy

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Nov 05, 2023 Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance rated it it was amazing

When I saw that The Death of Ivan Ilych is considered one of the finest examples of a novella, and since this is the first time I've ever participated in Novellas in November...I felt led to read this book.

And I agree---it is definitely one of the best novels I've ever read. Ivan Ilyich is a judge in Russia, and his life is spent gaining position socially and at work. He neglects others and he neglects himself.

And then, unexpectedly, he becomes ill and begins to decline, a decline that leads to ...more

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Dec 14, 2020 Mike rated it really liked it

In a year like 2020, this seemed like a good way to close the year and this year's Reading Challenge. It certainly isn't a happy book nor one that brings cheer, but I'm glad I read it and perhaps learned enough to make some changes to daily life before it is too late.

What a great loss it is to be at the end of your life to start understanding that time lost will not return, mistakes made can not be reversed, and that it is only blackness ahead.

Takeways -
1. Make each day worth having lived throu ...more

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