Delve into the complexities of love and marriage with Leo Tolstoy’s poignant novella, “Family Happiness.” This deeply moving story explores the emotional journey of seventeen-year-old Masha, who embarks on a passionate romance and subsequent marriage with an older man. Despite their initial fervor, the inherent differences between them gradually widen, leading to an unbridgeable chasm. Tolstoy masterfully examines the delicate nature of relationships and the subtle ways in which affection can wane, posing the timeless question: how does love truly die?

Why You Should Read?

• Experience a profound exploration of love, marriage, and the challenges of maintaining a relationship across age and temperament differences.
• Gain insight into Tolstoy’s masterful psychological portrayal of characters and the nuanced dynamics of human emotion.
• Reflect on the universal themes of passion, disillusionment, and the evolution of personal happiness within a marital bond.
• Discover a classic work from a literary giant, presented as part of Penguin Books' 90th-anniversary celebration.

About the Author

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was a Russian writer who is regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time. He is best known for his novels War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877), which are often cited as pinnacles of realist fiction. Tolstoy's profound philosophical and moral insights, coupled with his detailed characterizations and epic scope, have left an indelible mark on world literature. His later works explored themes of Christian anarchism and nonviolent resistance, influencing figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.