Written in the genre of the so-called ‘critical obituary’, this paper is devoted to the works of the recently deceased novelist Yury Maletsky and examines his prose as confessions, which combine deep soul searching and a passionate attempt to learn more about ‘the other’s inner space’. Inspired by L. Tolstoy in his dealings with the other’s psychology, Y. Maletsky also follows V. Rozanov in his uninhibited, paradoxical and impressionistic narration. As a result of this combination of two artistic styles, Maletsky faithfully exercises Tolstoy’s philosophy of expression, while baring his own mind and soul without hesitation. The author believes that it was through ‘overcoming Tolstoy’ with ‘Rozanov’s method’ that Maletsky shines the brightest.