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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a 1400 page screed against the big man theory of history plus some plot
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
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:
Complicated
A grand epic of literature, well deserving of its status. Tolstoy weaves an evocative story, capturing the life of Russian society during Napoleons invasion of Russia. An immersive narrative, equally engaging when on the front lines as in the Moscow balls. Tolstoy also spends reasonable time expounding on his ideas of historiography and notions of power and contractual power, etc.
Maybe I've been influenced too much by Dostoevskij's writing, maybe books about war aren't really for me.
Tolstoy falls a little short amongst all the Big Russians for me, but it was an interesting read nontheless
Tolstoy falls a little short amongst all the Big Russians for me, but it was an interesting read nontheless
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, four months later and I'm done.
I have conflicting feelings about having read it, I must have started it about 3 times back in December and had to go back to the beginning and restart, until I finally gave up and put up with the spoilers if only to be able to figure out who was who by getting a family tree, the first 100 pages fill you with so much information and characters it was difficult for me to get past them.
After you get through that though... It's a pretty history-heavy novel, to be expected, but there's a lot more reflection and personal conflict than what you would expect (Pierre's own questioning of his faith and life purpose is great to follow but made me hate him a little bit).
All in all, I'm glad I got through it but I think a re-read is much needed to fully appreciate it now that I'm more informed in the context and know more about the story. That probably won't happen for a while though.
I have conflicting feelings about having read it, I must have started it about 3 times back in December and had to go back to the beginning and restart, until I finally gave up and put up with the spoilers if only to be able to figure out who was who by getting a family tree, the first 100 pages fill you with so much information and characters it was difficult for me to get past them.
After you get through that though... It's a pretty history-heavy novel, to be expected, but there's a lot more reflection and personal conflict than what you would expect (Pierre's own questioning of his faith and life purpose is great to follow but made me hate him a little bit).
All in all, I'm glad I got through it but I think a re-read is much needed to fully appreciate it now that I'm more informed in the context and know more about the story. That probably won't happen for a while though.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book has single-handedly made me fall in love with classics. I have no desire to pick up any contemporary / modern works in the foreseeable future. I felt like I got hit in the face a million times by life itself just reading this.
It’s brilliant, I have no words. Also cried like 5 times
It’s brilliant, I have no words. Also cried like 5 times