Kreutzer Sonata Variations: Lev Tolstoy's Novella and Counterstories by Sofiya Tolstaya and Lev Lvovich Tolstoy

About this book

A work unprecedented in world literature this unique volume contains a new translation of Lev Tolstoys controversial novella The Kreutzer Sonata which was initially banned by Russian censors. In addition available to English readers for the first time is a fascinating and previously neglected constellation of counterstories written by the authors wife and son in direct response to Tolstoys provocative tale each a passionate attempt to undo the message of the original work. These radically conflicting tales accompanied by excerpts from family letters diaries notes and memoirs provide readers with a vivid and highly revealing case study of the powerful disputes concerning sexuality and gender roles that erupted within the cultural context of late-nineteenth-century Russian as well as European society.