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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book could have (and in my opinion should have) been split into two separate writings: one being the fictional story itself, the other being a treatise titled On Power. The fictional story was entertaining. It's length would not necessarily have proven to be a deterrent for me. The philosophical and theoretical arguments on power were repetitive to the point of eye-glazing boredom. The book's second epilogue, twelve chapters, didn't mention the fictional story at all. While I don't normally advocate for abridged versions of an author's works, in this case, I would. Reading an abridged version, consisting of the fictional story only, would not only save several hours of reading time, but would possibly make the fictional story even stronger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Dementia, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Suicide attempt
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I honestly wanted to give this book 3 stars, but it's such a classic that in the end I couldn't bring myself to do it. The problem I had with this book is that it's really two books. One with characters and the things that happen to them; one that is essentially Tolstoy's treatise on 'what causes history'. It was the latter that ruined the book for me. The events revolving around the characters are fantastic to follow in and of themselves, but they also give a wonderful texture to the Napoleonic Wars. But Tolstoy's philosophizing about history and our powerlessness to impact historic events just got old. In a strange way, it reminded me of John Galt's 50 page speech in Atlas Shrugged. What is it with these Russians?
My advice to any reader is: when you get to the end of the actual story, stop reading. Because after the story is over, Tolstoy continues for another 40-50 pages, writing about how great leaders actually have no influence over history. I make no commentary on his views; I just wish they were in a separate book, not this one.
In any case, I am still glad I made it through this book and absolutely loved the story part of it.
My advice to any reader is: when you get to the end of the actual story, stop reading. Because after the story is over, Tolstoy continues for another 40-50 pages, writing about how great leaders actually have no influence over history. I make no commentary on his views; I just wish they were in a separate book, not this one.
In any case, I am still glad I made it through this book and absolutely loved the story part of it.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
MASTERPIECE!! I started reading this almost as a joke to myself, and also from a vague desire to learn more about Russian culture. I didn't think I'd get past the first 3 chapters. But MAN, no wonder it's a classic! Such a perfect, unexpected blending of romantic drama and character portraits and social philosophy and military structure (which i didn't think i cared about previously). I am sad it is over, 61 hours of audiobook later.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
This is real good, I started reading it a while back and read about 700 pages in one week, put it down for a while and then finished the rest over the last couple days.
Very enjoyable but the ending was so underwhelming I almost gave it a lower score!
Also it really reminded me of lord of the rings, but Andy and Ava, you guys read it first then I’ll tell you what I mean later. Definitely think Tolkien took inspiration
Very enjoyable but the ending was so underwhelming I almost gave it a lower score!
Also it really reminded me of lord of the rings, but Andy and Ava, you guys read it first then I’ll tell you what I mean later. Definitely think Tolkien took inspiration