Ripon Public Library

Sophia Tolstoy, a biography, Alexandra Popoff

eng

Includes bibliographical references (p. 336-339) and index

individual biography

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Sophia Tolstoy

bibliography

424555576

Alexandra Popoff

a biography

As Leo Tolstoy's wife, Sophia Tolstoy experienced both glory and condemnation during their forty-eight-year marriage. She was admired as the muse and literary assistant to one of the world's most celebrated novelists. But when in later years Tolstoy became a towering public figure and founded a new brand of religion, she was scorned for her disagreements with him. And it is this version of Sophia--malicious, shrill, perennially at war with Tolstoy--that has gone down in the historical record. Drawing on newly available archival material, including Sophia's unpublished memoir, Alexandra Popoff presents a dramatically different and accurate portrait of the woman and the marriage. This lively, well-researched biography demonstrates that, contrary to popular belief, Sophia was remarkably supportive of Tolstoy and was, in fact, key to his fame"--Cover, p. 2

Childhood -- Family happiness -- Natasha -- A shadow passed between us -- Observing the artist -- On crossroads -- Life with a religious philosopher -- Separate lives -- The money brought me no joy -- The martyr and the martyress -- Who's to blame? -- The brotherhood of people -- I long to be alone with my family -- A song without words -- In life's whirlpool -- The line has been drawn -- In the name of universal love -- And the light shineth in darkness -- Epilogue