This novel explores themes of love, family, and social class through the story of a young man who returns to his family's vineyard after being away for many years. The protagonist struggles with feelings of guilt and responsibility towards his family, particularly his father, who has grown old and frail. He also grapples with his own desires and ambitions, which are at odds with the traditional values of his family and community. Throughout the novel, Tolstoy examines the tensions between individual freedom and social obligation, as well as the complexities of human relationships and the ways in which they can be both nourishing and suffocating.
By Leo Tolstoy · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Philosophical