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Which two novels are Leo Tolstoy best known for?

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Portrait of Leo Tolstoy with a long white beard, wearing a dark shirt and looking slightly to the side. — Leo Tolstoy Russian writer Leo Tolstoy is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest novelists. His masterpieces are *War and Peace* (1865–69) and *Anna Karenina* (1875–77).

Leo Tolstoy is best known for his two longest and most celebrated works, which are widely considered pinnacles of world literature:

War and Peace (1865–69): A sweeping narrative set during the Napoleonic Wars that explores the complexity of human experience, the chaos of battle, and the significance of ordinary, prosaic life.123
Anna Karenina (1875–77): A profound exploration of marriage, family, and society, centered on the tragic adulterous affair of the title character and contrasted with the fulfilling, prosaic love found in the marriage of Kitty and Levin.425

Both novels are regarded as summits of realistic fiction and are frequently praised for their ability to capture life with such detail that they appear to be "pieces of life" rather than mere artifice.126