Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_(Tolstoy_novel)

Release date is 2014-12-20

Produced by Madeleine Fournier and Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by Gallica, Bibliothèque nationale de France.)

"L'Enfance et l'Adolescence" by Léon Tolstoï is a semi-autobiographical novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the early life of the protagonist, exploring themes of childhood and the transition to adolescence through the lens of family dynamics, education, and social relationships in rural Russia. The main character, primarily seen through the eyes of the young boy, navigates the complexities of his emotions, relationships with his family, and the influence of figures like his tutor, Karl Ivanovitch. At the start of the narrative, we are introduced to the young protagonist and his interactions with Karl Ivanovitch, their tutor, who awakens him in an unconventional manner. The boy's feelings swing between annoyance and affection, highlighting the innocence and emotional turbulence of childhood. As the story progresses, we see glimpses of family life, including the mother preparing tea and conversations about a hunting trip. The opening chapters set a vivid scene of the household and introduce various characters, laying the groundwork for the protagonist's evolving understanding of love, friendship, and personal growth against the backdrop of his formative years. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Original publication data not identified