Master and Man

On a cold and treacherous winter night, a wealthy landowner, Vasili Andreevich, sets out on a journey with his humble servant, Nikita, in pursuit of a business deal. As they travel deeper into the blizzard-swept Russian countryside, nature’s indifference strips away the illusions of wealth, pride, and control. In Master and Man, Tolstoy presents a stark and haunting tale of class, mortality, and spiritual awakening. What begins as a simple trip evolves into a profound confrontation with death—and a moment of unexpected redemption. Told with clarity, compassion, and unflinching realism, this powerful novella explores the limits of human self-interest and the possibility of true sacrifice. It stands among Tolstoy’s greatest moral and philosophical works.