Here are some of Tolstoyâ"s extraordinary short stories, from â?The Death of Ivan Ilyichâ?â?in a masterly new translationâ?to â?The Raid,â? â?The Wood-felling,â? â?Three Deaths,â? â?Polikushka,â? â?After the Ball,â? and â?The Forged Coupon,â? all gripping and eloquent lessons on two of Tolstoyâ"s most persistent themes: life and death. More experimental than his novels, Tolstoyâ"s stories are essential reading for anyone interested in his development as one of the major writers and thinkers of his time.