Today, there is special
google doodle – not a plain picture or animated one – it is more elaborate – a slide
show ... it begins with an image of a bearded man busy writing at his desk by
candlelight before presenting scenes from his most famous works............. one
of which is widely regarded as one of the most important works of literature. It
tells of the events surrounding France’s 1812 invasion of Russia and documents
life in the Tsarist society of the Napoleonic years through the eyes of five
Russian upper class families. The man’s lasting
influence is a testament to the power of his art, which will remain relevant as
long as the questions of life and death occupy our minds, which is to say –
forever.
It is Leo Tolstoy. Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian writer, philosopher
and political thinker who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Tolstoy was
a master of realistic fiction and is widely considered one of the greatest
novelists of all time. He is best known for two long novels, War and Peace
(1869) and Anna Karenina (1877). Tolstoy
is equally known for his complicated and paradoxical persona and for his
extreme moralistic and ascetic views, and known as a moral thinker and social reformer. In 1862, Tolstoy married Sophia Andreevna
Behrs, 16 years his junior and the daughter of a court physician. They had
thirteen children.
War and Peace is generally
thought to be one of the greatest novels ever written, remarkable for its
dramatic breadth and unity. Its vast canvas includes 580 characters, many
historical with others fictional. The story moves from family life to the
headquarters of Napoleon, from the court of Alexander I of Russia to the
battlefields of Austerlitz and Borodino.
Anna Karenina was reportedly
published in serial installments from
1873 to 1877 in the periodical The Russian Messenger. Tolstoy clashed with
editor Mikhail Katkov over political issues that arose in the final installment
(Tolstoy's unpopular views of volunteers going to Serbia); therefore, the
novel's first complete appearance was in book form in 1878. Anna Karenina is
the tragic story of a married aristocrat and her affair with the affluent Count
Vronsky.
In 2012 came the British
epic romantic drama film directed by Joe Wright of the same name, adapted from
Tolstoy’s novel. Keira Knightley stars in the lead role as Karenina; while Jude
Law and Aaron Taylor-Johnson appear as Karenin and Vronsky, respectively. It
earned four nominations at the 85th Academy Awards and six nominations at the
66th British Academy Film Awards, winning Jacqueline Durran both prizes for
Best Costume Design.
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
9th Sept. 2014.
