Welcome to Litsy!

Diving into another somber read following There Were No Windows. 😏 This is a reread for IRL bookclub - I remember it being well written, but rather depressing.

At my age, I have attended the dying and have seen what there is to be learned; but mostly how each person‘s passing is a journey like no one else‘s. To be present for death is a privilege just like being present for birth. Tolstoy captured Ilyich‘s experience artfully during a time period when pain, illness, and death were mysteries to be feared and not talked about. I suppose it is still feared today and perhaps always.

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick

Watched this film the other night and it was wonderful. Understated and very moving. And Bill Nighy - wow! Incredible performance.

Screenplay by one of my favorite authors, Kazuo Ishiguro. Adapted from the 1952 Kurosawa film, Ikiru (which was inspired by tagged).

Russian Realism Novella first published in 1886

This psychological masterpiece dives into the mind of protagonist Ivan Ilyich as he questions the meaning of life, the significance of death, and his own misguided beliefs and ideas. Leo Tolstoy describes the mental and emotional journey of Ilyich as he is suddenly confronted with his own mortality and must question his entire way of life.

I didn‘t think I was going to fit in a June book for #FoodAndLit, but rainy weather gave me extra reading time and I found this short Tolstoy book on #SerialReader. It is well-written, clearly presents the horrors of a slow and painful death, and is universal in that it could happen in almost any time or place. However, it gets a so-so from me because I‘m not sure it gave me any new insight and was not particularly enjoyable.

#1001books #Russia

This chronicles the illness and death of Ivan Ilych. He struggles to understand why he suffers and takes stock of where he went wrong in his life until the very end of it when all is made clear to him.

Finished reading this novella by Tolstoy. The book is about the slow painful death of one Ivan Ilyich. The description of his pain and the challenges he is facing due to his terminal illness is very moving. The book also delves into how little the death of a colleague, a friend and even family member can matter for some people. It is a devastating story showing the true face of humanity and one that will definitely leave a lasting impression.

On point perspective of an ordinary life and the struggle against mortality. The lies, the greed, the unnoticed forsaken duties are all portrayed. Easily transferrable to any time and country, a human truth of how we must face death, and so we must live good lives, even if we don't really excist in ourselves until the 11th hour. I love this story as much as its' author.

#literarytriparoundtheworld #Russia

Every book I‘ve been reading so far for #24in48 has had death or disease as a major theme. I didn‘t plan it that way! 😫At least they‘ve all been good, including this one. I‘m hoping to get in a few more hours tonight before snoozing. #1001books. ETA: My total so far is 8:36:00.

This is amazing. I don‘t even know how to explain it. A man who has never contemplated his certain mortality, suddenly must face it head-on. Maybe it‘s my depression/anxiety talking but it was so relatable and thought-provoking. 158/1,001 #1001Books

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hmmm

"It was this living a lie,all around him and within him,that did most to poison the last days in the life of Ivan Ilyich." Tolstoy's writing is Amazing! This book might seems mini but definitely packs a punch! This story is so depressing I had to stop and read something lighter in between the mere 100pages!
#RussianClasdics #Death #readunglife #booklover #PenguinClassics

It's no wonder Ivan Ilyich dies, when this is the best medical advice he can get! 😵

#readathon

Well! I arrived at this medical building early for an appointment, and was crushed that I forgot something to read. But!! As I walked in, there was a shelf of used books for sale. These are mine now for $1 and the next half hour should go by faster.

One of my all-time favorites: a profound read on #spirituality, #psychology, and #sociology. #russianlit

Tolstói nunca desilude! Este livro faz-nos pensar nas nossas escolhas e a importância em viver feliz. Muito interessante.

“The awful, terrible act of his dying was, he could see, reduced by those around him to the level of a casual, unpleasant, almost indecorous incident…and this was done by that very decorum which he had served his whole life long.”
This collection of 7 stories explore, in very different ways, Tolstoy's preoccupation with mortality.
#death #junebookbugs @RealLifeReading

Our book club yesterday. Tons of lawyers turned out for a book about the death of a lawyer 🤔

So, that was rough. It reminded me so much about my dad dying that it was almost physically painful. I'm just glad I read it in one day.
Otherwise, being Tolstoi, obviously very well written and very accurate narration of the process of someone dying. If that's your thing, go for it. But it wasn't for me.

Got myself a new book holder. Meet Bebo 📖❤️🐶

"During an interval in the Melvinsky trial in the large building of the Law Courts the members and public prosecutor met in Ivan Egorovich Shebek's private room, where the conversation turned on the celebrated Krasovski case." #firstlines

My #artofthenovella selections just came from @Melvillehouse!

Starting this for a book club. It looks like a fairly short read.

Day 20 of #photoadaynov16

One of the few books I seem to own that is #SetInEasternEurope

I read this for a college class called the Quest for Human Destiny, and I liked it enough that it has maintained a permanent spot on my shelves.

I don't remember where I picked up my used copy of this book but it sure seems like it's a very old book. 😍😍😍😍

Aesthetically perfect, thought provoking and deeply moving. A beautiful reflection on life and death condensed in just a few pages! Highly recommend the translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky

Perhaps I did not live as I should have, it suddenly occurred to him. But how could that be when I did everything one is supposed to?

"It is as if I had been going downhill while I imagined I was going up. And that is really what it was. I was going up in public opinion, but to the same extent life was ebbing away from me. And now it is all done and there is only death."
This booked f*cked my world up. Just a sudden revelation that I have three things in my life that I need to drop immediately: Complacency, contentment and mediocrity.
Got to go.
Have to move.
Need to climb.

Feeling excited to get this one of my list!