The Cossacks

The Cossacks (Kazaki) is a short novel by Leo Tolstoy, published in 1863. The novel was acclaimed by Ivan Bunin as one of the finest in the language.

In the story, Olenin is stationed in the Caucasus and leaves Moscow behind. While there, he slowly becomes enamored by the surroundings and despises his previous existence. He first befriends the old Cossack Yeroshka, who goes hunting with him and finds him a good fellow because of his propensity to drinking. During this time, Luka kills an abrek who is attempting to come across the river towards the village to scout the Cossacks. Olenin soon finds his love growing for the surroundings and first falls in love with Marianka, who is to be wed to Luka later in the story. He tries to stop this emotion and eventually convinces himself that he loves both Luka and Marianka for their simplicity and decides that happiness can only come to a man who constantly gives to others with no thought of self-gratification.

— Excerpted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.