Read4MaxClassics Browse library
Cover of The Power of Darkness

Classic Fiction

The Power of Darkness

by Leo Tolstoy

With Louise Maude

Translated by Louise Maude

With Aylmer Maude

Translated by Aylmer Maude

Two Russian peasants tragically succumb to selfish, immoral temptations.

Read online Download EPUB
First published
1886
Length
27,736 words
Reading time
About 1 hr 56 min
Language
English (UK)

About the book

The Power of Darkness is a five-act drama that follows the downfall of the peasants Anísya and Nikíta as they succumb to a series of sordid temptations, from adultery and drunkenness to outright murder. Written in 1886 but suppressed by censors until 1902, the play is a realist portrayal of some of the darkest elements of Russian peasant life. Similar to some other late Tolstoy works, like Resurrection , the play’s psychological exploration of human depravity is accompanied by a sharp social critique of the Russian Empire and its role in perpetuating poverty and ignorance among its lowest and most marginalized classes.

First published 1886; the Read4Max reading text contains approximately 27,736 words arranged in 8 navigable sections.

The source metadata identifies Annotator: Louise Maude; Translator: Louise Maude; Annotator: Aylmer Maude; Translator: Aylmer Maude.

About the author

Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) is described by Wikidata as Russian author (1828–1910), with citizenship or national association recorded as Russian Empire.

Recorded occupations include writer, playwright, philosopher, novelist, pedagogue, and essayist. Languages recorded for Leo Tolstoy include Russian, French, and English. The structured record associates Leo Tolstoy with literary realism. Wikidata lists War and Peace, Anna Karenina, A Confession, The Kingdom of God Is Within You, What Is Art?, and Boyhood among Leo Tolstoy's notable works. Open Library identifies Legal process for battered women: a manual for intermediaries as a leading work in its author record. Open Library catalogs 3 works under this author record. The Read4Max catalog currently includes A Confession, Anna Karenina, Hadji Murád, Resurrection, Short Fiction, The Kingdom of God Is Within You, and The Power of Darkness under Leo Tolstoy's authorship.

1828–1910

Contributors

Annotator

Louise Maude

Translator

Louise Maude

Annotator

Aylmer Maude

Translator

Aylmer Maude

View the full library