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ketutar's review against another edition
3.0
"Once she had a talk with her friend Natásha about Sónya and about her own injustice towards her.
‘You know,’ said Natásha, ‘you have read the Gospels a great deal – there is a passage in them that just fits Sónya.’
“What?’ asked Countess Mary, surprised.
“‘To him that hath shall be given, and from him that hath not shall be taken away.” You remember? She is one that hath not; why, I don’t know. Perhaps she lacks egotism, I don’t know, but from her is taken away, and everything has been taken away. Sometimes I am dreadfully sorry for her. Formerly I very much wanted Nicholas to marry her, but I always had a sort of presentiment that it would not come off. She is a sterile flower, you know – like some strawberry blossoms. Sometimes I am sorry for her, and sometimes I think she doesn’t feel it as you or I would.’
Though Countess Mary told Natásha that those words in the Gospel must be understood differently, yet looking at Sónya she agreed with Natásha’s explanation. It really seemed that Sónya did not feel her position trying, and had grown quite reconciled to her lot as a sterile flower. She seemed to be fond not so much of individuals as of the family as a whole. Like a cat, she had attached herself not to the people but to the home. She waited on the old countess, petted and spoiled the children, was always ready to render the small services for which she had a gift, and all this was unconsciously accepted from her with insufficient gratitude."
You see, Sonya is poor, so she doesn't have any feelings.
This book is mostly about Pierre Bezukhov, his thoughts, adventures, friends and marriages, and about the war with France. That bit is OK. What is not OK is Natasha. She is a f-ing spoiled drama queen. In this book she manages to fall "unconditionally and irrevocably" in love with three different guys, get engaged four times before she's 20, get her heart "unconditionally and irrevocably" broken 2 times, tries to kill herself because of it, and everyone loves her, tries to save her, coddle her, comfort her... and... I just hate her. I f-ing hate her!
After having read this book I am convinced Tolstoy didn't much like women.
anpu325's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of the book was very boring, but it really picked up in the second half and I realized why it was a classic. However, I did not expect the last 30 pages to be Tolstoy going off about how free will does not exist without any mention of the characters ever again.
lilbaddiemaddie's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
plastron's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
a_leo_reading's review against another edition
5.0
BOOK REVIEW
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 out of 5 stars
READING DATES
November 7th, 2021 – November 20th, 2021
War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy translated from the Russian by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky is a imaculate masterpiece that ranges from gorgeous prose to hilarious commentary.
Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky ‘s translation is easily digestible, they also give large amounts of notes and historical references to fully under Stand Leo Tolstoy’s masterwork. Leo Tolstoy's writing is filled with grgorgouse prose and brilliant character work.
Following three fictional families during the Neapoltionic Wars of 1805-12 and the years worth of fallout caused by the war.
War & Peace is not a novel, nor historical fiction, nor biography. War & Peace is a a unique hybrid of many genres and mediums.
Though War & Peace follow three fictional families, the families themselves are perfectly realized. They feel like once living beings during that Era. Anytime a character interacts with a real historical human being, the situation never feels out of place. Infact, every moment in War & Peace feels natural.
At many times War & Peace was a emotionally and mentally traumatic novel, that left me overwhelmed and fascinated by the atrocities of war and power.
War & Peace is also a incredibly intense commentary on War and history. Tolstoy not only dives into the pure horror if War but also the ridiculousness of war and the people within them. War & Peace is also a commentary on how historians and writers research and write about history. Leo Tolstoy opens the library to read the boots down, critique, poke fun at, and brutality destroy occasionly idiotic world of literature and history.
Leo Tolstoy’s War &Peace translated from the Russian by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky is a incredible experience Unlike any other.
5 out of 5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 out of 5 stars
READING DATES
November 7th, 2021 – November 20th, 2021
War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy translated from the Russian by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky is a imaculate masterpiece that ranges from gorgeous prose to hilarious commentary.
Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky ‘s translation is easily digestible, they also give large amounts of notes and historical references to fully under Stand Leo Tolstoy’s masterwork. Leo Tolstoy's writing is filled with grgorgouse prose and brilliant character work.
Following three fictional families during the Neapoltionic Wars of 1805-12 and the years worth of fallout caused by the war.
War & Peace is not a novel, nor historical fiction, nor biography. War & Peace is a a unique hybrid of many genres and mediums.
Though War & Peace follow three fictional families, the families themselves are perfectly realized. They feel like once living beings during that Era. Anytime a character interacts with a real historical human being, the situation never feels out of place. Infact, every moment in War & Peace feels natural.
At many times War & Peace was a emotionally and mentally traumatic novel, that left me overwhelmed and fascinated by the atrocities of war and power.
War & Peace is also a incredibly intense commentary on War and history. Tolstoy not only dives into the pure horror if War but also the ridiculousness of war and the people within them. War & Peace is also a commentary on how historians and writers research and write about history. Leo Tolstoy opens the library to read the boots down, critique, poke fun at, and brutality destroy occasionly idiotic world of literature and history.
Leo Tolstoy’s War &Peace translated from the Russian by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky is a incredible experience Unlike any other.
5 out of 5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
quotablehedgehog's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Classism, Grief, Mental illness, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Incest, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Addiction, Alcoholism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Violence
sdloomer's review against another edition
5.0
🎇🎇🎇 --5/5 stars-- 🎇🎇🎇
I have done it. I have finally conquered Tolstoy's grand masterpiece, and I find that my brain is as muddled (or perhaps clearer) than ever before.
Though most of the novel consisted of the relationships between several families and individuals, a great part of the work is solely dedicated to theorizing, philosophizing, and in essence, proving to the reader. I won't begin to try to explain all of the incredible military maneuverings described, or the political machinations during the Napoleonic Wars, because in truth, I didn't understand. I just didn't understand. Which not only upset me, but greatly hindered my progress in reading further. I decided to undertake a great deal of research into the events described, and though I still feel don't truly understand, I can say with confidence that I have never studied as hard (and I'm a Molecular Biology major!). I would like to point out, however, that I owe some of my...shortcomings to the fact that I had never really been interested in this part of history, nor was I familiar with Russian life during the early 1800s. I have most likely remedied that during this past month.
With the narrative part of the novel, I am completely in love with. Not only does Tolstoy give us a (pretty) accurate description of nobility life, but also writes with a particular fondness of the simplicity of his characters. He isn't focused on all the grand things they accomplish, or try to, but rather the more mundane and awkward parts of life many authors like to brush away. And I greatly appreciate that.
I won't say anymore about how profound this novel is, but I will say that I was wrong to be frightened of it (mostly due to its length), and that I'm glad I've now partook in such a great piece of literature.
I have done it. I have finally conquered Tolstoy's grand masterpiece, and I find that my brain is as muddled (or perhaps clearer) than ever before.
Though most of the novel consisted of the relationships between several families and individuals, a great part of the work is solely dedicated to theorizing, philosophizing, and in essence, proving to the reader. I won't begin to try to explain all of the incredible military maneuverings described, or the political machinations during the Napoleonic Wars, because in truth, I didn't understand. I just didn't understand. Which not only upset me, but greatly hindered my progress in reading further. I decided to undertake a great deal of research into the events described, and though I still feel don't truly understand, I can say with confidence that I have never studied as hard (and I'm a Molecular Biology major!). I would like to point out, however, that I owe some of my...shortcomings to the fact that I had never really been interested in this part of history, nor was I familiar with Russian life during the early 1800s. I have most likely remedied that during this past month.
With the narrative part of the novel, I am completely in love with. Not only does Tolstoy give us a (pretty) accurate description of nobility life, but also writes with a particular fondness of the simplicity of his characters. He isn't focused on all the grand things they accomplish, or try to, but rather the more mundane and awkward parts of life many authors like to brush away. And I greatly appreciate that.
I won't say anymore about how profound this novel is, but I will say that I was wrong to be frightened of it (mostly due to its length), and that I'm glad I've now partook in such a great piece of literature.
villagebi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.25
tolstoy certified yapper holy shit