Dear Tolstoy, Yours Gandhi: A Novel Based on the True Historic Correspondence and Mentorship Between Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi
by Jonathan Kis-Lev
524 pages· 2017· ISBN 9781979080385
About
NOW ALSO IN PAPERBACK!
FROM THE PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF MY QUEST FOR PEACE ●
WINNER OF THE BAMAHANE PRIZE ● A riveting debut novel based on the original correspondence between Mahatma Gandhi and his mentor Leo Tolstoy ● A treat for lovers of historical fiction ● BASED ON A TRUE STORY
Dear Tolstoy Yours Gandhi tells the story of the unlikely friendship between a 40-year-old Indian lawyer and an 80-year-old Russian author−a friendship that led to the end of British rule in India, and set the stage for the American Civil Rights Movement, as well as the end of South African Apartheid. Kis-Lev skillfully weaves this tale of a shy lawyer, M. K. Gandhi, who dared to write to his long-time inspiration, Leo Tolstoy. Why Tolstoy chose to respond to the unknown lawyer, and how their friendship developed, is unveiled in this riveting historical novel.
Seven years in the writing, Dear Tolstoy Yours Gandhi draws upon hundreds of letters, diary entries and original sources, to create a magnificent, deeply moving novel from a writer "whose understanding of human psychology never fails to thrill." (THE REVIEWER)
Advance praise for DEAR TOLSTOY YOURS GANDHI:
"A triumphant, controversial, and fascinating plunge into a mentor-mentee relationship . . . Irresistible." − THE REVIEWER
"Gorgeous . . . Moves with the pace of a thriller." − THIS WEEK
"This novel is a courageous tribute to Gandhi and his universal teachings. It has a stubborn honesty that feeds the soul." − Dan Klein, The Last Opinion
"Painstakingly researched, beautifully hewn, compulsively readable . . . Not to be missed." − DER TAG
* * * *
BOOK EXCERPT © All rights reserved, Goldsmith Press. Reprinted by permission:
During the hour that followed, Tatiana went through all of the important letters addressed to her father. Finally, there was one left.
"This," she took the letter and looked at her father, "is from one Hindu −"
Tolstoy's eyes lit up. "A Hindu?"
"Yes," Tatiana looked at the letter, "one called Gandhi."
"I never heard of him!"
"Well, he asks for permission to reprint what you have written about the problem of India and British Rule. Can I send him an approval?"
Tolstoy mumbled, "Who is he? How many copies does he want printed?"
Tatiana sighed, "He is just a Hindu lawyer from" − she glanced at the letter − "South Africa. He wants to produce twenty thousand copies. Papa, can I send him approval −"
"Twenty thousand copies?!" Tolstoy's eyes widened. "That is excellent! What else does he write?"
Tatiana took a deep breath. "Papa, I'm tired."
"I am tired too, Tatiana, but this is important! What else does he write?!"
Tatiana bit her lip and began reading:
"Dear Sir,
I take the liberty of inviting your attention to what has been going on in South Africa for nearly three years.
There is in that colony a British Indian population of nearly 13,000. These Indians have for several years labored under the various legal disabilities. The prejudice against color is intense in that colony. It is largely due, so far as we are concerned, to trade jealousy."
"Mmmm...." Tolstoy murmured, "interesting... Go on!"
Tatiana kept reading.
"The climax was reached three years ago, with a law which I and many others considered to be degrading and calculated to unman those to whom it was applicable."
"Law!" Tolstoy muttered, "Probably some discrimination disguised as 'law'...."
Tatiana nodded and kept reading.
"I felt that submission to law of this nature was inconsistent with the spirit of true religion. I and some of my friends were and still are firm believers in the doctrine of nonresistance to evil."
Tolstoy leaned forward, "'Nonresistance to evil'? Is this how he writes it?"
Tatiana nodded.
A small smile appeared on her father's face. "Who is this Gandhi?"
* * * *
END OF EXCERPT (To read further click on the book cover, where you can read more using the Look Inside Feature!)
FROM THE PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF MY QUEST FOR PEACE ●
WINNER OF THE BAMAHANE PRIZE ● A riveting debut novel based on the original correspondence between Mahatma Gandhi and his mentor Leo Tolstoy ● A treat for lovers of historical fiction ● BASED ON A TRUE STORY
Dear Tolstoy Yours Gandhi tells the story of the unlikely friendship between a 40-year-old Indian lawyer and an 80-year-old Russian author−a friendship that led to the end of British rule in India, and set the stage for the American Civil Rights Movement, as well as the end of South African Apartheid. Kis-Lev skillfully weaves this tale of a shy lawyer, M. K. Gandhi, who dared to write to his long-time inspiration, Leo Tolstoy. Why Tolstoy chose to respond to the unknown lawyer, and how their friendship developed, is unveiled in this riveting historical novel.
Seven years in the writing, Dear Tolstoy Yours Gandhi draws upon hundreds of letters, diary entries and original sources, to create a magnificent, deeply moving novel from a writer "whose understanding of human psychology never fails to thrill." (THE REVIEWER)
Advance praise for DEAR TOLSTOY YOURS GANDHI:
"A triumphant, controversial, and fascinating plunge into a mentor-mentee relationship . . . Irresistible." − THE REVIEWER
"Gorgeous . . . Moves with the pace of a thriller." − THIS WEEK
"This novel is a courageous tribute to Gandhi and his universal teachings. It has a stubborn honesty that feeds the soul." − Dan Klein, The Last Opinion
"Painstakingly researched, beautifully hewn, compulsively readable . . . Not to be missed." − DER TAG
* * * *
BOOK EXCERPT © All rights reserved, Goldsmith Press. Reprinted by permission:
During the hour that followed, Tatiana went through all of the important letters addressed to her father. Finally, there was one left.
"This," she took the letter and looked at her father, "is from one Hindu −"
Tolstoy's eyes lit up. "A Hindu?"
"Yes," Tatiana looked at the letter, "one called Gandhi."
"I never heard of him!"
"Well, he asks for permission to reprint what you have written about the problem of India and British Rule. Can I send him an approval?"
Tolstoy mumbled, "Who is he? How many copies does he want printed?"
Tatiana sighed, "He is just a Hindu lawyer from" − she glanced at the letter − "South Africa. He wants to produce twenty thousand copies. Papa, can I send him approval −"
"Twenty thousand copies?!" Tolstoy's eyes widened. "That is excellent! What else does he write?"
Tatiana took a deep breath. "Papa, I'm tired."
"I am tired too, Tatiana, but this is important! What else does he write?!"
Tatiana bit her lip and began reading:
"Dear Sir,
I take the liberty of inviting your attention to what has been going on in South Africa for nearly three years.
There is in that colony a British Indian population of nearly 13,000. These Indians have for several years labored under the various legal disabilities. The prejudice against color is intense in that colony. It is largely due, so far as we are concerned, to trade jealousy."
"Mmmm...." Tolstoy murmured, "interesting... Go on!"
Tatiana kept reading.
"The climax was reached three years ago, with a law which I and many others considered to be degrading and calculated to unman those to whom it was applicable."
"Law!" Tolstoy muttered, "Probably some discrimination disguised as 'law'...."
Tatiana nodded and kept reading.
"I felt that submission to law of this nature was inconsistent with the spirit of true religion. I and some of my friends were and still are firm believers in the doctrine of nonresistance to evil."
Tolstoy leaned forward, "'Nonresistance to evil'? Is this how he writes it?"
Tatiana nodded.
A small smile appeared on her father's face. "Who is this Gandhi?"
* * * *
END OF EXCERPT (To read further click on the book cover, where you can read more using the Look Inside Feature!)
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