3 Review(s)

In the book, Gorky vividly recalls his conversations with Tolstoy, reflecting on Tolstoy’s thoughts on religion, morality, and the social issues of the time. Tolstoy's passionate advocacy for nonviolence, simplicity in living, and spiritual awakening profoundly impressed Gorky, yet he also observed Tolstoy’s inner struggles, particularly his tensions with his aristocratic background and his own wealth, which clashed with his ideals of humility and asceticism.Gorky’s portrayal of Tolstoy is deeply respectful but not uncritical. He offers candid insights into Tolstoy’s contradictions, such as his detachment from his family while promoting familial love, and his sometimes harsh views on human nature. Gorky’s own socialist and revolutionary leanings occasionally put him at odds with Tolstoy’s more pacifist, religious approach to reforming society, and these ideological differences are explored with nuance in Gorky’s recollections.