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The collection includes works by Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910), written during his mature age: the novel "Family Happiness", the stories "Albert", "The Death of Ivan Ilyich", "Polishka", "The Devil", "The False Coupon", "Kholstomer"; the tales "The Notes of a Marker" and "After the Ball"; the fairy tale "Assyrian King Asarhaddon"; the parable "The Three Sons". The writer looks at various life situations from the height of his years and experience. First love, which passes by chance. A talent wasted in vain. The transformation of feelings and relationships between people in marriage. Pathological passion, gambling, and alcohol that destroy a person. Some works have the character of a parable. Tolstoy's heroes realize that causing harm to another person also destroys themselves. That evil begets evil, and good begets good. They reflect before death on the years they have lived and ask the question: were they happy?