About this book
My Confession by Leo Tolstoy is a stark, candid account of a celebrated writer’s midlife crisis and relentless search for the meaning of life. In this compact philosophical memoir, Tolstoy lays bare the decade-long struggle that followed his abandonment of youthful Orthodox faith, his ascent to wealth and fame, and the deep melancholia that made existence feel "impossible." He traces his attempts to find answers in science, philosophy, Eastern teachings, and the company of intellectuals, ultimately turning toward the simple faith of ordinary people and testing whether instinctive belief can be reconciled with rigorous reason.
Set against the moral and social landscape of 19th-century Russia, My Confession probes themes of faith and doubt, authenticity, moral responsibility, and the limits of intellectualism. Tolstoy’s prose blends personal confession with philosophical reflection, offering an intimate portrait of a thinker who felt compelled to rethink the foundations of life itself. An epilogue hints at further spiritual change without diminishing the work’s reflective core.
Ideal for listeners of memoir and philosophy, students of Russian literature, and anyone wrestling with existential questions, this audiobook invites contemplative listening and remains a powerful exploration of conscience, purpose, and the search for truth.
