The Kreutzer Sonata

What if the love you trusted became the force that destroyed you? The Kreutzer Sonata is Leo Tolstoy's most provocative and psychologically daring novella-an unrelenting exploration of jealousy, passion, repression, and violence. The story is narrated by Pozdnyshev, a tormented man who recounts the slow, agonizing disintegration of his marriage and the obsessive thoughts that led to a shocking act of violence. As Pozdnyshev confesses his story to a fellow train passenger, Tolstoy uses his voice to challenge society's views on romantic love, sexual desire, and the sanctity of marriage. Inspired in part by Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata, the music becomes a symbol of both sublime beauty and uncontrollable passion-capable of stirring the noblest emotions or unleashing madness. This modern adaptation delivers the novella's emotional and philosophical force with clarity, making Tolstoy's moral questions as urgent now as when first published. What You'll Discover in This Modern Translation: A Chilling Psychological Portrait - Experience the descent of a man driven to violence by possessive love and inner torment. A Controversial Moral Inquiry - Engage with Tolstoy's radical critique of marriage, sexuality, and human desire. A Modern, Accessible Translation - Designed to preserve the tension, insight, and urgency for today's readers. A Thought-Provoking Literary Confession - A short but powerful work that lingers long after the final page. Whether read as a psychological thriller, a philosophical tract, or a bold moral parable, The Kreutzer Sonata is a masterclass in introspection and literary courage.