Short Novels by Leo Tolstoy (Modern Library)

This volume had similarities to the recently-completed Chekhov compilation. In both cases, these are somewhat unusual works in terms of length.

In the case of this edition of Tolstoy works, they were written prior to 1862 - it's easy to see some of the themes that are more fully developed in Anna Karenina and other of this longer works. And it's enjoyable to read Tolstoy's earlier works - before some of the preachiness set in. So I liked this quite a bit.

Five short novels:

1. Two Hussars. This was least interesting of the five - a hussar's son repeats some of the same moves of the father in the same town about 30 years later - with the daughter of the woman the old man had romanced.

2. A Landlord's Morning - this resonates more with Tolstoy's own life and some later writings. A young landowner idealizes peasant life, tries to lift up the peasantry, accomplishes little. Similar to Tolstoy's own efforts to free and educate his serfs. The descriptions of the serfs - and portrayal of poverty - are pretty compelling.

3. Family Happiness - a young girl and a friend of her deceased father - who happened to be in charge of the family's financial affairs - fall in love. There is an age difference, and a bit of a falling out while the young girl goes through the stage of pursuing life in society. But these are two appealing characters, and the ending works. I like Tolstoy's descriptions of the relationship, falling in love, etc. (though not as much as the way he did it in Anna Karenina).

4. Polikushka - another story centered on serf life - this was a very strong story - the titular character was a serf with a reputation for dishonesty. The out-of-touch female landlady tries to reform him, trusts him to fetch a large cash payment and bring it back home. Detailed descriptions of the serf residences, the serf overseer, etc. Including persons selected for conscription - always a very bad day for 19th century Russians. One serf with cash wasn't inclined to buy a substitute for his nephew who had been conscripted.

5. The Cossacks - this story had the power - it felt a bit like the story of the Steppe in the Chekhov compilation. A Moscow dandy heads south to take up a commission in the Caucasus, with the goal of starting a new life (things not having gone well in Moscow). Tolstoy was with the army in this part of the country as a young man. Great descriptions of the friction - even then - with the Chechens (described as "braves" per the North American term); Cossack life ("Old Believers" allied for the most part with the Russian imperialists, but identifying with the Chechens and Circassians); Lukashka and Maryenka; Daddy Eroshka - these are three great characters. The Moscow dandy likes Maryenka but of course can never fit into the Cossack life.