Last night I read book #829, The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy, and I must say it is the most depressing Tolstoy story I have read so far. The story follows the excruciating death of Ivan Ilych, who falls sick and the doctors cannot agree on what is wrong with him. I think the story wouldn't be so bad if it didn't dwell on the mental anguish Ivan Ilych felt while grappling with his imminent demise, but then again the story would have been far less authentic. And not only does Ivan have to deal with the pain of his illness, but he also comes to realize how unsatisfactory his entire life had been.
A great way to sum up the entire story is with the following quote: "'Why these sufferings?' And the voice answered, 'For no reason - they are just so.' Beyond and besides this there was nothing."
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