Review Book | The Death of Ivan Ilyich

       Tiara Zahra Fauzia Failika (30802400053)

Title: The Death of Ivan Ilyich 

Author: Leo Tolstoy 

Genre: Classic Fiction / Philosophical / Realism

 Publication Year: 1886 

Publisher: Penguin Classics 

Page Count: 86 pages 

Questioning the Meaning of a "Proper Life" Through a 90-Page Tragedy

Have you ever imagined what would cross your mind if a doctor told you that you had only days left to live? Would you reflect on your career achievements or the luxurious home you managed to buy, or would you instead realize that everything you had been chasing all along was actually meaningless? This is the existential question posed by Leo Tolstoy—one of Russia’s greatest literary figures—in his legendary novella, *The Death of Ivan Ilyich*. Though brief enough to be read in a single sitting, the book delivers a profound philosophical blow to anyone too busy pursuing the trophies of modern life.

This book outlines the protagonist's fate from the very beginning. Ivan Ilyich is a high-ranking Russian judge whose life appears idyllic to the outside world. Born into a distinguished family, he is well-educated, married to a woman of equal social standing, and has successfully climbed the career ladder to attain a respected position in society. All of Ivan’s life choices are guided by a single, simple principle: doing what the upper class deems "proper" and "fashionable." Yet, this perfection crumbles due to a seemingly trivial incident. While hanging curtains in his luxurious new home, Ivan slips and injures his side. Initially, the pain seems insignificant, but over time, the injury develops into a mysterious, wasting illness. Doctor after doctor examines him, yet no one is able to cure him. Lying on his bed, as his body grew weaker and death drew near, Ivan struggled not only against a terrible physical illness but also suffered an even more harrowing inner torment: the anxiety that the entire life he had lived "correctly" had, in fact, been a colossal mistake.

Amidst his suffering, Tolstoy sharply exposes the hollowness of social relationships and the absence of empathy surrounding Ivan. His professional colleagues do come to visit, yet their minds are preoccupied with speculation about who will take over Ivan’s position after his death. His wife, too, puts on a dramatic performance—feigning public concern while actually resenting the high cost of his medical care and busily calculating the pension she stands to receive. Within this cold, bourgeois circle, Tolstoy introduces Gerasim—a young peasant servant—as a striking moral contrast. Unlike Ivan’s family, who pretend he will recover, Gerasim is the only truly sincere person, willing to tend to Ivan’s physical needs without a trace of revulsion. ...and honestly acknowledges that Ivan is indeed facing death. Through Gerasim, Ivan experiences a warmth and affection he never received from his own social class, prompting an internal monologue filled with regret as he nears his end. He had long believed himself to be a "good person" for adhering to society's rules, yet in his final moments, he realizes he lived solely to meet the expectations of others rather than for himself. Ivan’s physical death is merely a formality, for spiritually, he had long since "died" the moment he chose to live a life of falsehood.

Although written in 19th-century Russia, the issues Tolstoy raised feel highly relevant to life today. Ivan Ilyich mirrors modern society—trapped in a frenetic culture, the cultivation of a social media image, and consumerist standards of financial success. We are often preoccupied with building a "fine house" to garner the admiration of others. ...yet fail to consider whether we are truly happy within them. With Tolstoy’s writing style—remarkably direct and economical, yet charged with emotional tension—this book immediately immerses the reader in the mind of a man cornered by the approach of death. *The Death of Ivan Ilyich* is not merely a story about a sick man awaiting his end; it serves as a profound mirror for the living, urging us to pause our daily routines and reflect on the direction of our lives. If you are looking for a classic literary work that is neither tedious nor lengthy, yet leaves you in deep contemplation for days after finishing it, this book belongs on your reading list.

 

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

 

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman presents a haunting and imaginative exploration of childhood, memory, fear, and the blurred boundaries between reality and fantasy. Unlike typical fantasy novels that focus mainly on grand adventures and magical worlds, this novel combines supernatural elements with an intimate story about childhood and growing up. Through the memories of an unnamed narrator, Gaiman creates a mysterious world where ordinary places become connected to strange and frightening events.

The key takeaways from this book are, first, the importance of memory and childhood experiences; the novel shows how childhood memories can shape the way people understand themselves and the world around them. Second is the power of friendship and protection; the narrator's relationship with Lettie Hempstock demonstrates how friendship can provide courage and comfort during difficult situations. Third is the theme of fear and vulnerability; the supernatural events in the story represent the fears that children may experience when facing situations they cannot understand or control. The novel also suggests that growing up means leaving behind some parts of childhood while still carrying their memories into adulthood.

One of the book's strengths is its beautiful and atmospheric writing style. Gaiman uses vivid descriptions and imaginative imagery to transform ordinary settings into mysterious and magical places. The contrast between the familiar world of childhood and the supernatural elements makes the story feel both comforting and unsettling. Another strength is the way the novel explores childhood from an adult perspective, allowing readers to see how memories can change or become unclear over time. The story is also relatively short but contains many ideas that can be explored beyond its fantasy plot.

A drawback of the novel is that its narrative can sometimes be confusing because the story frequently moves between the narrator's childhood memories and his adult perspective. The boundary between what is real, supernatural, or remembered is not always clearly explained. Some readers who prefer straightforward fantasy stories may find this ambiguity difficult to follow. However, this uncertainty also contributes to the mysterious atmosphere and deeper meaning of the novel.

In my opinion, this book is ideal for English Literature students and readers who enjoy fantasy stories with deeper psychological and emotional themes. It is especially interesting for readers who want to explore childhood, memory, fear, identity, and the relationship between reality and imagination. The novel is not simply a fantasy about supernatural events, but also a reflection on how childhood experiences remain with us as we grow older. Overall, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a memorable and thought-provoking novel that combines fantasy with a meaningful exploration of human experiences.

Enggar Nasya Hidayah (30802400022)

Book Review – Catriona

 

Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson continues the story of David Balfour after the events of Kidnapped. The story follows David as he becomes involved in a political case related to the Appin murder. During his journey, he meets Catriona Drummond, a young woman who later becomes very important to him. The story is not only about adventure, but also about politics, love, family, and David’s personal problems. I think the story feels different from a typical adventure novel because the characters spend a lot of time dealing with their relationships and the problems around them.

The main things I got from this book are justice, love, loyalty, and growing up. I think David is a character who really shows the idea of growing up. At first, he is still young and does not understand many things about the world around him. However, after facing different problems, he becomes more careful and responsible. I also like the way David tries to help James Stewart. Even though he knows that getting involved can cause problems for himself, he still wants to find the truth. For me, this shows that David is not only brave but also has a strong sense of justice.

I also found the relationship between David and Catriona interesting. Their relationship is not immediately simple or romantic. They have different problems and situations that make their relationship difficult. I like this because it makes their relationship feel more realistic. Catriona is also not just a character who is there because of David. She has her own personality and problems. In my opinion, this makes her more interesting and gives her an important role in the story.

One thing I like about the book is the historical setting. The story takes place in Scotland, and the political situation makes the story more interesting. I can see that the characters’ lives are affected by the political problems around them. The adventure parts are also enjoyable because David has to face different situations and sometimes has to make difficult choices. However, I think some parts of the story are quite slow, especially when the story focuses too much on politics or long conversations.

For me, the biggest problem with this book is the language. Although the reading-ease score says that it is fairly easy, some expressions still feel old-fashioned because the novel was written in the nineteenth century. There are also some Scottish words and historical references that I did not immediately understand. Sometimes I had to read a part more than once to understand what was happening. I also think it would be easier to understand the story if I had read Kidnapped first, because Catriona continues David’s story from the previous novel.

Overall, I think Catriona is an interesting book, especially for readers who like adventure, romance, and historical stories. What I enjoyed most was seeing how David changes throughout the story. He becomes more mature because of the problems he experiences. I also enjoyed the relationship between David and Catriona because it adds a more personal side to the story. Even though some parts were difficult and slow for me, I still think Catriona is worth reading. As an English Literature student, I also think this book is interesting to review because it has many things to discuss, especially the characters, historical setting, conflict, and themes of justice and love.

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