My Life(1896)

The protagonist, Misail Poloznev, the son of a noble architect, refuses to follow in his father's footsteps and becomes a simple house painter. His decision is condemned by his family and society. Through trials, disappointments and losses, he tries to find his meaning in life, but encounters misunderstanding even among his loved ones.

The story's meaning is often compared to the ideas of Tolstoy, who considered physical labor a daily necessity for people of all walks of life. In 2013, a play based on the story titled ‘Longing’ was created in England by director William Boyd.

Translated by Constance Garnett, Publisher Chatto & Windus, 1927