The Awakening

"The Awakening" is a book by Leo Tolstoy written during the period of 1889-1899. It tells the story of a nobleman overburdened with the sin he has committed. This sin concerns a young peasant woman whom he seduced and then left. He lives the ordinary life of a self-proud rich man until he encounters his former lover. The place where they see each other is the court, and the girl is being accused. This is the translation by William E. Smith, which is easy to read and understand. It is one of the best translations of the work ever published.