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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
4.5/5
Ive been reading this on and off for about 2 years not only due to it’s famous length, but also because of its depth, which is also massive. Its not made to be read quickly, but better over time I think. That being said, I do not believe it to be a perfect novel. Although I actually did enjoy Tolstoy taking contemporary historians to task in the “philosophical” chapters, There were increasingly more near the end and I found it annoying to be pulled away from the story of the characters, which I found spellbinding, at several intervals. I also do not agree that Marya should just be the good obedient Christian daughter and continue putting up with her father’s increasingly senile ravings and borderline abuse toward her. I do not believe Tolstoy would have put Andre or Nikolai through the same thing.
However, what are these flaws when compared with the epic themes and scale of this book? Although there are many characters, Andre and Pierre carry most of the narrative and are the heart and soul of the story. They are without a doubt the two best character arcs I have ever read, and we are introduced to them masterfully. The opening of War and Peace is probably my favorite start to a book ever. Their stories encompass themes that are timeless and range from the horror of war, to the purpose of suffering, life, and death, the moving forces of history, and belief in divine will, just to name some of them. It is a book for everyone and all times. It provides wisdom that can guide its reader out of deep suffering and despair and uplift them to happiness no matter the circumstances. Tolstoy’s personal experience with war and being a war prisoner bring incredible life to this novel and make the story ring true.
Although I do not entirely agree with Tolstoy’s interpretations that the will of generals and kings have no effect on history, in the victorian era this was a massive thing to say, when historians almost universally subscribed to the view that “great men” moved history forward, and his boldness is appreciated here.
War and Peace is a very long read, and asks a lot from its reader, but there is no doubt in my mind that it is worthwhile for everyone, and is one of the greatest literary masterpieces ever written.
Ive been reading this on and off for about 2 years not only due to it’s famous length, but also because of its depth, which is also massive. Its not made to be read quickly, but better over time I think. That being said, I do not believe it to be a perfect novel. Although I actually did enjoy Tolstoy taking contemporary historians to task in the “philosophical” chapters, There were increasingly more near the end and I found it annoying to be pulled away from the story of the characters, which I found spellbinding, at several intervals. I also do not agree that Marya should just be the good obedient Christian daughter and continue putting up with her father’s increasingly senile ravings and borderline abuse toward her. I do not believe Tolstoy would have put Andre or Nikolai through the same thing.
However, what are these flaws when compared with the epic themes and scale of this book? Although there are many characters, Andre and Pierre carry most of the narrative and are the heart and soul of the story. They are without a doubt the two best character arcs I have ever read, and we are introduced to them masterfully. The opening of War and Peace is probably my favorite start to a book ever. Their stories encompass themes that are timeless and range from the horror of war, to the purpose of suffering, life, and death, the moving forces of history, and belief in divine will, just to name some of them. It is a book for everyone and all times. It provides wisdom that can guide its reader out of deep suffering and despair and uplift them to happiness no matter the circumstances. Tolstoy’s personal experience with war and being a war prisoner bring incredible life to this novel and make the story ring true.
Although I do not entirely agree with Tolstoy’s interpretations that the will of generals and kings have no effect on history, in the victorian era this was a massive thing to say, when historians almost universally subscribed to the view that “great men” moved history forward, and his boldness is appreciated here.
War and Peace is a very long read, and asks a lot from its reader, but there is no doubt in my mind that it is worthwhile for everyone, and is one of the greatest literary masterpieces ever written.
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When reading this book, if you let yourself be immersed in it, you are part of Tolstoys world. It is more like a complete experience than mere the reading of a book.
There are some excellent reviews about the contents of the novel which I won't try to repeat.
Great piece of art.
There are some excellent reviews about the contents of the novel which I won't try to repeat.
Great piece of art.
Oof. Loved the author’s voice—witty, observant, dry, empathetic. But just couldn’t get into it. At the risk of sounding like a total idiot, all those names, different relationships to keep track of… sadly, it made me feel like I was reading out of necessity than enjoyment.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A classic to enjoy
I watched the BBC miniseries before reading this book and found it helpful because I could pronounce the names and knew who people were even though they all have about 3 different names depending on who's talking. I enjoyed the story and loved how the different characters were woven in. Characters were great and the backdrop of history was very interesting. I skimmed over some of the more "war" bits - strategy and long descriptions of history. But enjoyed the book as a whole very much.
I watched the BBC miniseries before reading this book and found it helpful because I could pronounce the names and knew who people were even though they all have about 3 different names depending on who's talking. I enjoyed the story and loved how the different characters were woven in. Characters were great and the backdrop of history was very interesting. I skimmed over some of the more "war" bits - strategy and long descriptions of history. But enjoyed the book as a whole very much.
informative
reflective
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I actually already wrote a review for War and Peace on my phone immediately after reading it, but I really just jotted down a few paragraphs and ran out of things to say. And even though no one will read this, I feel some strange obligation to give the book more than that because, I mean, it's War and Peace.
Truth be told I define my reading of War and Peace more by what I was going through as I read it than by the text itself. I started it in December and it felt like a perfect cork for the bottle that was my first year back as a bona fide "book person." I was entrenched in a wide variety of failures at that time, and I got it in my head that if I could just successfully complete a few arbitrary tasks I would somehow make up for a year's worth of disappointment.
I read 600 pages in five days I felt like I was cracking on at a good pace, and then it all just stopped. I failed every one of these arbitrary tasks and January 1st came and went with no clear divide between the person I was in 2024 and the person I would be in this new year; a person I desperately hoped would be better.
But you can only wallow so long, and January 31 hit and the book was done. I had conquered this beast that so many people are scared to even make an attempt with, and I was no worse for wear for taking six weeks instead of two. And I guess finishing it reminded me I could do anything at all.
If I had to point out one defining characteristic about War and Peace, it would be that it is easy to read. This was the last thing I expected from a book with this reputation, but the prose really is simple and the plot, while of course tied firmly to the events of the Napoleonic Wars in Russia, is not difficult to parse out.
I imagine demystifying and simplifying war was important to Tolstoy in the writing of the book. There are times where it is outright satire — I think specifically of a scene where the troops are lined up to be presented to the Commander in their finest attire, only to learn with half an hour to spare that the Commander hopes to showcase how poor the funding has been and wants them to look shoddy, so they are all getting undressed just to peacock on the hill. Somehow that was the priority of the day.
This silliness pervades throughout the novel. War is as much a joke as the artificiality of upper class social circles are in the eyes of one of our main characters, Pierre Bezukhov, the illegitimate son of one of the richest men in Russia who unexpectedly inherits his father's fortune and titles.
For long chunks of the book it feels almost like a regency era romance. People court one another and alliances are formed and scandals break out. So much of this part of life is seen from the perspective of Natasha Rostova, the young socialite whose heart is pulled in so many different directions as she comes of age.
Meanwhile, the War side of the book is largely told from the perspective of Prince Andre, who begins the book disillusioned with peace and quickly becomes disillusioned by war — not a great book to be in, bud.
But it is Pierre whom I mentioned before who ties it all together. While War and Peace thread themselves through the lives of each character, Pierre is an outcast in both. He was thrust into a position of social prestige he never expected, and is an observer as often as not at the parties of other nobles. Likewise, in one scene he is a very literal observer of the war. He gets in the way and can barely comprehend the battle of Borodino as he tries in vain to find a way to be useful.
The book didn't feel like it had too much fluff on it, which feels impossible for a book this long. At the same time, I can't say it felt lean. It just says what it wants to say in the way it wants to say it, and to be longer or shorter is hard for me to fathom. I suppose my biggest takeaway from a book like this is that I hope people are not too intimidated by its size to give it a chance, because I think it deserves better than being seen as "that really long book." I am glad I read it.
Truth be told I define my reading of War and Peace more by what I was going through as I read it than by the text itself. I started it in December and it felt like a perfect cork for the bottle that was my first year back as a bona fide "book person." I was entrenched in a wide variety of failures at that time, and I got it in my head that if I could just successfully complete a few arbitrary tasks I would somehow make up for a year's worth of disappointment.
I read 600 pages in five days I felt like I was cracking on at a good pace, and then it all just stopped. I failed every one of these arbitrary tasks and January 1st came and went with no clear divide between the person I was in 2024 and the person I would be in this new year; a person I desperately hoped would be better.
But you can only wallow so long, and January 31 hit and the book was done. I had conquered this beast that so many people are scared to even make an attempt with, and I was no worse for wear for taking six weeks instead of two. And I guess finishing it reminded me I could do anything at all.
If I had to point out one defining characteristic about War and Peace, it would be that it is easy to read. This was the last thing I expected from a book with this reputation, but the prose really is simple and the plot, while of course tied firmly to the events of the Napoleonic Wars in Russia, is not difficult to parse out.
I imagine demystifying and simplifying war was important to Tolstoy in the writing of the book. There are times where it is outright satire — I think specifically of a scene where the troops are lined up to be presented to the Commander in their finest attire, only to learn with half an hour to spare that the Commander hopes to showcase how poor the funding has been and wants them to look shoddy, so they are all getting undressed just to peacock on the hill. Somehow that was the priority of the day.
This silliness pervades throughout the novel. War is as much a joke as the artificiality of upper class social circles are in the eyes of one of our main characters, Pierre Bezukhov, the illegitimate son of one of the richest men in Russia who unexpectedly inherits his father's fortune and titles.
For long chunks of the book it feels almost like a regency era romance. People court one another and alliances are formed and scandals break out. So much of this part of life is seen from the perspective of Natasha Rostova, the young socialite whose heart is pulled in so many different directions as she comes of age.
Meanwhile, the War side of the book is largely told from the perspective of Prince Andre, who begins the book disillusioned with peace and quickly becomes disillusioned by war — not a great book to be in, bud.
But it is Pierre whom I mentioned before who ties it all together. While War and Peace thread themselves through the lives of each character, Pierre is an outcast in both. He was thrust into a position of social prestige he never expected, and is an observer as often as not at the parties of other nobles. Likewise, in one scene he is a very literal observer of the war. He gets in the way and can barely comprehend the battle of Borodino as he tries in vain to find a way to be useful.
The book didn't feel like it had too much fluff on it, which feels impossible for a book this long. At the same time, I can't say it felt lean. It just says what it wants to say in the way it wants to say it, and to be longer or shorter is hard for me to fathom. I suppose my biggest takeaway from a book like this is that I hope people are not too intimidated by its size to give it a chance, because I think it deserves better than being seen as "that really long book." I am glad I read it.