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The Photographs & Diaries of Countess Sophia Tolstoy
National Geographic
September 2007
On Sale: September 18, 2007
240 pages
ISBN: 1426201737
EAN: 9781426201738
Hardcover
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Non-Fiction Photography
Through never-before-seen photographs and intriguing
personal diaries, this beautiful book provides an intimate
glimpse into the lives of Countess Sophia Tolstoy and her
husband, Leo Tolstoy—one of the greatest authors of all
time—set against the grand and terrifying backdrop of
aristocratic Russia on the brink of its demise. Between 1885 and 1910, Countess Tolstoy made more than a
thousand photographs representing her entire world—from
artists to aristocrats to peasants to family, from the
Crimea to Moscow to the family estate 100 kilometers to the
south. She also kept detailed diaries, which sweep us into
fashionable balls and local gossip...magical scenes of
winter in Russia...and devastating famine in the
countryside. Sophia's works deepen our understanding of the
era as well as of this amazing woman, who had thirteen
children, battled a troubled marriage, and, though blessed
with a creative life of her own, was so devoted to her
husband's career that she hand-copied his great works Anna
Karenina and War and Peace many times over. Song Without Words showcases the photographs by theme, with
Sophia's writings providing emotional context for many of
the images. Commentary by author Leah Bendavid-Val weaves
through the book, linking diaries with pictures and placing
each in its historical and literary setting. Autobiographical in nature, yet global in its true scope,
Song Without Words brings to light the gifts of a major
figure whose previously unknown works enrich our knowledge
of literature, photography, and history.
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