This is probably my least favorite of all the things I have read by Tolstoy. Tolstoy mentions in a number of novels and short stories that he does not really believe in love. The best example of this is in War and Peace. Prince Andrew's father has a low opinion of women. He does not think they are equal to men in mental ability.In War and Peace Andrew's father ..."suddenly turning to his son and began to laugh. "It's a bad business, eh? "What is bad, Father?" "The wife!" said the old prince. "They're all like that; one can't un-marry. Don't be afraid; I won't tell anyone, but you know it yourself." In that time period wealthy women were expected to know how to play the piano, draw, know how to dress to entice a man, but they received little instruction in intellectual pursuits because they were expected to stay home and care for children. So I find it very annoying when someone like Tolstoy winds up feeling that he has little in common with his wife. Whose fault is that when all the men care about is physical beauty?So a lot of his attitude is shaped by the time period. But, to be fair, he does go on to show how relationships change over time. The husband and wife can become resigned to each other and/or they can take comfort in the building of the family.Tolstoy was no angel. At the end of his life he wanted to give away his estate and all his possessions with no concern for his wife and children. He and his wife fought over this and eventually he relented. Put yourself in her place! But at that moment my heart began to beat faster, my hand trembled and pressed his, I grew hot, my eyes sought his in the half darkness, and all at once I felt that I did not fear him, that this fear was love -- a new love still more tender and stronger than the old. I felt that I was wholly his, and that I was happy in his power over me."I feel just as if I were ten! And you do it all!" he said, blushing and kissing my hands.So two months went by and winter came with its cold and snow; and, in spite of his company, I began to feel lonely, that life was repeating itself, that there was nothing new either in him or in myself, and that we were merely going back to what had been before.To love him was not enough for me after the happiness I had felt in falling in love. I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence. I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love. I felt in myself a superabundance of energy which found no outlet in our quiet life. I had fits of depression which I was ashamed of and tried to conceal from him, and fits of excessive tenderness and high spirits which alarmed him.I loved him and saw that I was all in all to him; but I wanted everyone to see our love; I wanted to love him in spite of obstacles.I wanted, not what I had got, but a life of struggle; I wanted feeling to be the guide of life, and not life to guide feeling. If only I could go with him to the edge of a precipice and say, "One step, and I shall fall over -- one movement, and I shall be lost!" then, pale with fear,he would catch me in his strong arms and hold me over the edge till my blood froze, and then carry me off whither he pleased.He is his madness prays for storms, And dreams that storms will bring him peace.But there was nothing to ask pardon for, no penalty to deprecate; my punishment was merely this, that he did not give his whole heart and mind to me as he used to do; but he did not give it to anyone or to anything; as though he had no longer a heart to give
What do You think about Family Happiness (1901)?
oh Masha, why don't you listen to your husband? Petersburg is a bad city. city corrupts.
—chhekygal
A wonderful realistic tale of love and longing in Russia
—flheaven1998
It's like a Russian version of Jane Eyre. I loved it.
—Theyes2769
It really put words of many feelings.. I liked it..!
—saki
