Reviews

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

nightwillowfox's review against another edition

4.0

4.5/5. I am so happy that I finished the book. I was upset when they finished the book and it was left just wondering what was going to happen next. Then the prologues, yes there was 2 and I normally don't care for them but since the book left the story not at a cliff hanger but as if there was still more. The first part of the first prologue was about the history and what happened in real life and then it went back to the story,some what finished it up but never did. Then part to was just about history and theories .and that is it. The little part of the story that he put in part one could have just been part of the book.

zgluckow's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

shelbymarie516's review against another edition

3.0

I'll be honest, I just suffered through 61.5 hours of audio for Dave Malloy and the Broadway Musical. Now excuse me while I cry/scream/sing Dust & Ashes.

bookbadass6969's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

reidrussom's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It feels sad to leave these characters after spending the better part of six months with them. I really love this book and I think its reputation as hard to get into isn't deserved – it's a fascinating picture of 18th-century Russia, but also speaks a lot to the present day. It's at times funny, heart-rending, and horrific. And it pulls in so many genres; some chapters read like Pride and Prejudice, or Catch-22, or The Fall of the House of Usher. 100% worth the scary length. 

tina12's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

naro173's review against another edition

informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

midwifereading's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

What in the world do I say about one of the greatest works of all time? And who cares about my opinion, anyway? 😳

I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I certainly didn't expect an engaging story that felt so personal and intimate. Neither did I expect some deeply philosophical historical essays sprinkled generously throughout! (I admit that I skimmed some of those--they were above my pay grade, and I just didn't have the bandwidth sometimes.)

I am glad I read it, but my goodness! 1,358 pages is a lot! I'm not afraid of big books, but some go down easier than others! This one took work, and it was worth the effort.

I can see why it has stood the test of time, and I wish I could have read it in Russian and French. The afterword and the translator's notes made me realize just how much of Tolstoy's message is missed without the ability to read it in the original languages. Reading all of it in English leaves so much nuance out. Still, the bright glimpse into Russian culture of the 19th century was amazing. I had to google a lot, but I kind of enjoy books that actually give me a window into another part of the world. 

Normally, I would give this one three stars, because I liked it. However I'm going to give this one ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Because Tolstoy earned it. It's an amazing book, regardless of how I feel about it.

m_h_'s review against another edition

emotional informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

baker75's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0