The Cossacks

Exploring themes of courage and selflessness, Tolstoy's early works delve into the life of a young man who, after squandering his fortune, finds himself in a Cossack regiment. Amidst the backdrop of village life and the allure of Maryanka, he grapples with the tension between personal desire and the ideal of living for others. The narrative showcases Tolstoy's burgeoning descriptive talent and profound understanding of human nature, foreshadowing the depth of his later masterpieces.