I was delighted to receive this from canongatebooks and look forward to reading it. I've only read the first chapter so far - but can report that it's started well!
I've promised this copy to fotomiep of The Netherlands after me.
Thank you, canongatebooks!

In this fascinating book, the story of Leo Tolstoy's last months is told by some of his family and friends, the narrator changing with the chapter. As each one comes forward with his/her own point of view, so the reader's understanding grows and develops.

We soon learn that they're all biased, that their relationships with Tolstoy and each other are flawed, and that, as in life, their words should be weighed very carefully. Even when they're not lying, they're not necessarily telling the truth!

I found my sympathies kept swinging from one person to another, until I decided that I didn't really care for any of them! At one point I felt quite sorry for poor Tolstoy, being surrounded by such a motley collection of weirdos in his dying days - but then realised that his situation was very much of his own making, the result, perhaps the inevitable result, of his earlier life choices.

I was very impressed with Jay Parini's account which he says he's based on contemporary diaries. I found it interesting, inspiring, moving, confusing, touching .... and ultimately very sad.

Thanks again, Cannon Gate Books.

This copy is now being sent to fotomiep. I'm very happy to recommend it and hope she enjoys it as much as I did!

The book arrived in the mail yesterday, and I was very tempted to drop everything I had to do and start reading. I was strong however (also because I'll have enough time traveling by train this weekend), and now have a wonderful book to look forward to this weekend. Thank you!

I finally finished the book yesterday, reading more than half of it in one sitting. What struck me was the inevitability of it all, everyone so stuck in his/her role that nothing could change what was going to happen, try as they might. Even though I couldn't really sympathise with any of the characters, I did feel sorry for them, since, in a way, they were trying to do what was best in their eyes, with their judgment clouded by their background and upbringing. I will see whether a colleague has time to read it, and otherwise might offer it as a ring in the Dutch forum or try a themed release.