Breakfast with the Beak, Episode 129: The Death of Ivan Ilyich - Free Audiobook

Russian literature isn't exactly known for its optimism, but we may have wrung some joy out of a story that kills its main character on page one. Before there were inspiring stories of hope in the face of impending death, Tolstoy gave us a tale of social niceties, modest ambition, bureaucracy, and God, and he had the decency to let the main character despair. Oh, and he threw in some pretty good jokes. Tolstoy! Who knew he was funny?