Boyhood

Boyhood is a pseudo-autobiographical novel written by Leo Tolstoy and originally published in 1854. It is the second part of his autobiographical trilogy, which was preceded by Childhood and continued with Youth.

The novel continues the life of Nikolai, Tolstoy's alter ego, focusing on his youthful memories. The boy leaves behind the innocence of childhood, reflected in the first part, and begins the complicated stage of puberty.

Through his life at school, the young man learns both academic and social lessons, and begins to experience first loves and friendships. He learns about concepts such as jealousy, competition, and pride, and explores the complexity of emotions during such a tumultuous time in his life.

The novel offers us a glimpse into Tolstoy's own life, and was written during his early years as a writer, when we can already sense the flashes of depth and complexity so characteristic of his works such as Anna Karenina or War and Peace.

"Again two carriages stood at the front door of the house at Petrovskoe. In one of them sat Mimi, the two girls, and their maid, with the bailiff, Jakoff, on the box, while in the other—a britchka—sat Woloda, myself, and our servant Vassili."

This edition of Boyhood is based on the English translation by C.J. Hogarth.