Sevastopol by Leo Tolstoy (1855)

Name: Sevastopol
Author: Leo Tolstoy

The story revolves around a group of Russian soldiers stationed in Sevastopol during the Crimean War. The narrative explores their experiences, emotions, and interactions with one another, highlighting the psychological effects of war on individuals. The novel delves into themes of patriotism, duty, and the human cost of conflict. It portrays the soldiers' struggles to maintain morale, cope with the harsh conditions, and confront the reality of death and injury. Through a series of vignettes and character studies, the narrative reveals the complexities of human nature under duress, exposing the contradictions between idealism and pragmatism, courage and fear, and loyalty and disillusionment.

By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1855 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War Literature, Realism · 43 chapters · 50,286 words

First lines

The dawn has just begun to tinge the horizon above the Sapoún hill. The dark-blue surface of the sea has already thrown off the shadows of night, and lies waiting the appearance of the first sunbeam to sparkle merrily. A cold mist blows in from the bay; there is no snow -- all is black -- but the sharp morning frost creaks underfoot and makes the face tingle, while only the distant ceaseless murmur of the sea, now and then overpowered by the thunder of the cannons in Sevastopol, breaks the stillness of the morning. All is quiet on the ships. It strikes eight bells.

What this Textopian page supports

Sevastopol is listed on Textopian as a novel by Leo Tolstoy, dated 1855 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Date: 1855 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, War Literature, Realism, Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
Length: 50,286 words
Structure: 43 chapters, 874 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Sevastopol by Leo Tolstoy
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Sevastopol?
How does this novel by Leo Tolstoy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The narrative is set during the Crimean War, exploring the historical context and events.
War Literature — The work focuses on the experiences and realities of war, depicting its impact on soldiers and society.
Realism — The writing style emphasizes a realistic portrayal of life, character emotions, and social conditions.
Literary Fiction — The text delves into complex themes and character development, characteristic of literary fiction.