Childhood

Childhood was Leo Tolstoy’s first novel and a work in which he also explored the very beginnings of life. Published in 1852 under the initials L. N., Childhood tells the story of a young boy, Nikolenka, from a young infant to childhood. The story is thought by some critics to be autobiographical and there are some elements that are close to Tolstoy’s life. However, other critics such as A. N. Wilson have shown that Childhood along with the sequels Boyhood and Youth were attempts by the young Tolstoy to create his own mythology about his early years. Tolstoy’s first novel was an instant success upon publication and was the beginning of a long and successful writing career for the twenty-three year old. This edition also features a brief Biography of Leo Tolstoy and a Bibliography with ideas for further research into Leo Tolstoy and his works.