The Death of Ivan Ilych

When I saw that The Death of Ivan Ilych is considered one of the finest examples of a novella, and since this is the first time I've ever participated in Novellas in November...I felt led to read this book.

And I agree—it is definitely one of the best novels I've ever read. Ivan Ilyich is a judge in Russia, and his life is spent gaining position socially and at work. He neglects others and he neglects himself.

And then, unexpectedly, he becomes ill and begins to decline, a decline that leads to his death. As he moves closer and closer to death, he regrets all of the important things he failed to do, all the ways he acted without regard to others.