Kholstomer

As Kholstomer the horse interacts with different owners, he becomes an astute observer of human nature, exposing their flaws, vices, and follies. Through the viewpoint of a perceptive horse, Tolstoy offers deep observations into the human condition, critiquing society's moral decay and the dehumanizing effects of pride and greed. "Kholstomer" exemplifies Tolstoy's literary and philosophical prowess, showing his mastery in creating multi dimensional characters and studying difficult moral dilemmas.

The horse, born into a count's stud farm, is castrated due to his spotted coat and subsequently sold to several owners, serving different purposes from a carriage horse to a workhorse, experiencing both periods of admiration and hardship. Through Kholstomer's eyes, the work launches a trenchant critique of human materialism and the concept of private property, which the horse perceives as a "low, human animal instinct." He concludes that animals stand "higher on the ladder of living beings" than humans, thereby questioning anthropocentric assumptions and exposing the inherent contradictions within human social norms.

This critical reader's edition presents a modern translation of the original manuscript, crafted for the modern reader with clean, modern language and simplified sentence structures that clarify his difficult Russian phrasing and specific antiquated references. Supplementary material enriches the text with autobiographical, historical, and linguistic setting, including an afterword by the translator on Tolstoy's personal history, impact, and intellectual legacy, an index of the philosophical concepts he employs, giving attention to Existentialism and influence by Schopenhauer, a complete chronological list of his published writings, and a detailed timeline of his life, showing the personal relationships that shaped his philosophy.