Andre Van Loon

The prophet Tolstoy and his dodgy vicar

In Tolstoy’s False Disciple, Alexandra asks many questions, but doesn’t always answer them

issue 24 January 2015

  • Tolstoy’s False Disciple: The Untold Story of Leo Tolstoy and Vladimir Chertkov

    Alexandra Popoff

    Pegasus, pp. 309

One fine day in June 1896, a lone Russian nihilist visited Leo Tolstoy on his country estate. Come to hear the master, the stranger questioned Tolstoy about his latest beliefs. Satisfied, he left later that day. But then he returned with a written confession. He was an undercover policeman, sent to check on what Tolstoy was up to.

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