036 - The Tender Mercies of the Lord

In Resurrection, Leo Tolstoy delivers a powerful exploration of the injustices wrought by man-made laws and the hypocrisy of organized religion. This final major work of fiction published during his lifetime was originally serialized in the magazine Niva, aiming to raise funds for the resettlement of the Dukhobors. The narrative follows nobleman Nekhlyudov on his quest for redemption after a long-buried sin resurfaces—a fleeting affair with a maid that led to her dismissal and descent into prostitution. As he grapples with his moral dilemmas and strives to aid her in escaping her current plight, the novel delves deep into themes of guilt, redemption, and the struggle for personal integrity.