What sets Boyhood apart from other coming-of-age novels is its focus on the inner life of the child, examining his thoughts and emotions with great sensitivity and depth. It is considered one of Tolstoy's most intimate works, offering a window into his personal experiences of growing up in the Russian aristocracy, as well as a broader commentary on the nature of childhood and human development.
Boyhood (Detstvo in Russian) is a semi-autobiographical novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published in 1852. It is the first part of a trilogy that also includes Youth (Oteenstvo) and Adulthood (Podolsk), though Boyhood is often considered a standalone work. The novel is a coming-of-age story that reflects Tolstoy’s reflections on his own childhood and youth.
The story is narrated from the perspective of a young boy named Nikita, who is growing up in a noble Russian family. Through Nikita's eyes, the reader is given a glimpse into the world of Russian aristocracy, with its distinct social norms, customs, and relationships. The novel details his experiences of childhood, from his relationship with his parents and siblings to his interactions with servants and friends.
The central themes of Boyhood include the emotional and psychological development of the protagonist, as well as the tensions between the innocence of childhood and the more complicated realities of the adult world. Tolstoy also explores the moral and ethical education of the young boy, as Nikita begins to confront concepts of right and wrong and experiences his first feelings of love, jealousy, and self-doubt.
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Categories: Fiction Literature Classics