Father Sergius by Leo Tolstoy (1898)

Name: Father Sergius
Author: Leo Tolstoy

Father Sergius is a novella by Leo Tolstoy, first published in 1891. It tells the story of a Russian Orthodox monk, Father Sergius, who is renowned for his piety and holiness. He is admired by the people of his village, and is sought out for spiritual guidance. However, Father Sergius is not content with his life of piety and holiness. He is tempted by the world and its pleasures, and eventually succumbs to his desires. He falls in love with a young woman, and the two of them have a child together. Father Sergius is then faced with a difficult decision: to remain in the monastery and continue his life of piety, or to leave and live with the woman he loves. He chooses the latter, and is eventually excommunicated from the church. The novella follows Father Sergius as he struggles to reconcile his faith with his newfound love. He is forced to confront his own inner demons, and ultimately learns to accept himself and his choices.

By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1898 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Historical Fiction · 6 chapters · 17,506 words

First lines

In Petersburg in the eighteen-forties a surprising event occurred. An officer of the Cuirassier Life Guards, a handsome prince who everyone predicted would become aide-de-camp to the Emperor Nicholas I and have a brilliant career, left the service, broke off his engagement to a beautiful maid of honour, a favourite of the Empress's, gave his small estate to his sister, and retired to a monastery to become a monk.

This event appeared extraordinary and inexplicable to those who did not know his inner motives, but for Prince Stepan Kasatsky himself it all occurred so naturally that he could not imagine how he could have acted otherwise.

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Father Sergius is listed on Textopian as a novel by Leo Tolstoy, dated 1898 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Date: 1898 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Religious Fiction
Length: 17,506 words
Structure: 6 chapters, 596 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Realistic Fiction — Father Sergius is a realistic fiction novel that follows the life of a Russian soldier who renounces his military career and devotes himself to a life of prayer and service. The novel is based on the life of a real-life monk, Father Sergius, and is written in a realistic style that captures the struggles of the protagonist.
Philosophical Fiction — Father Sergius is a philosophical fiction novel that explores the themes of faith, morality, and the meaning of life. Leo Tolstoy's writing style is reflective and contemplative, and he uses the story of Father Sergius to explore the philosophical implications of his protagonist's journey.
Historical Fiction — Father Sergius is a historical fiction novel set in 19th century Russia. The novel is based on the life of a real-life monk, Father Sergius, and is written in a style that captures the culture and customs of the time period.
Religious Fiction — Father Sergius is a religious fiction novel that follows the life of a Russian soldier who renounces his military career and devotes himself to a life of prayer and service. The novel explores themes of faith, morality, and the meaning of life, and is written in a reflective and contemplative style.