Tolstoy or Dostoevsky

work by Steiner

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July 16, 2026

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George Steiner's Tolstoy or Dostoevsky (1959) compares these two literary giants. Fyodor Dostoevsky is celebrated for his psychological depth, exploring themes of evil and freedom that resonate with modern history. His works have influenced genres like the prison camp and dystopian novel. Leo Tolstoy is often hailed as the greatest novelist, with his works like War and Peace and Anna Karenina reflecting a belief in life's complexity unfolding through small alterations. Both authors, however, were critical of the 19th-century Russian intelligentsia, a group prioritizing revolution and materialism over artistic expression. Steiner's work examines the intersection of literature, society, and historical events like the Holocaust.1234

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George Steiner
Steiner’s first book, Tolstoy or Dostoevsky (1959), compares the two authors on the basis of historical, biographical, and philosophical data. Language and Silence (1967) is a collection of essays that examines the dehumanizing effect that World War II and the Holocaust had on literature. Steiner considered himself “at…
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Steiner’s first book, Tolstoy or Dostoevsky (1959), compares the two authors on the basis of historical, biographical, and philosophical data. Language and Silence (1967) is a collection of essays that examines the dehumanizing effect that World War II and the Holocaust had on literature. Steiner considered himself “at…
Read More