Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Never did I think I'd read both Anna Karenina and War and Peace in the same year. It's been a heck of a ride, Tolstoy, and I enjoyed every minute of it. His understanding of humanity is staggering and with every page you turn, you feel the beat of a human heart.
Four and a half.
Despite initial concerns about the sheer volume and its ability to keep up with the times, I was extremely surprised by how easily readable, relevant and at parts really funny this book is. Like reading on the plane laugh out loud funny. Imagine everyone else thought I was the most obnoxious person on the planet barely holding the fat book chuckling to myself....Also being in his mid-thirties himself when started writing it (what have I done with my life?), the struggles, the doubts and the confusion of his main characters (meaning Pierre and Andrei, sorry Natasha) is acutely felt and very relatable. But no matter how fully-fledged the characterization of Natasha is compared to the trends of his times, Tolstoy still was a bit of a misogynist, and the women are still either virgins or whores, with some grey areas in between. And we get it, you really really really could not stand Napoleon, but the rants about his stupidity as well as the recurring preaching on determinism and the insignificance of people as individuals to influence historic events just grows tired and repetitive. (and I havent even read Epilogue 2...)
Despite initial concerns about the sheer volume and its ability to keep up with the times, I was extremely surprised by how easily readable, relevant and at parts really funny this book is. Like reading on the plane laugh out loud funny. Imagine everyone else thought I was the most obnoxious person on the planet barely holding the fat book chuckling to myself....Also being in his mid-thirties himself when started writing it (what have I done with my life?), the struggles, the doubts and the confusion of his main characters (meaning Pierre and Andrei, sorry Natasha) is acutely felt and very relatable. But no matter how fully-fledged the characterization of Natasha is compared to the trends of his times, Tolstoy still was a bit of a misogynist, and the women are still either virgins or whores, with some grey areas in between. And we get it, you really really really could not stand Napoleon, but the rants about his stupidity as well as the recurring preaching on determinism and the insignificance of people as individuals to influence historic events just grows tired and repetitive. (and I havent even read Epilogue 2...)
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
On the one hand, this book is incredible. In its scope, in its depth of (some) characters, in its philosophical ponderings. It deserves its acclaim.
On the other hand, I didn't have a fun time.
On the other hand, I didn't have a fun time.
Self-insert war fanfiction with a semi-happy ending
Oh my word, this book has everything! (It should, it's long enough.) You certainly have to live in this one because it takes a good long while to read. My advice is to not set it down for too long between reads or you will forget who is who among the many, many secondary characters. This was my problem as I put it aside for a few months a couple of times, and it was always a struggle to find the thread again.
You've got to admire a book that doesn't skimp on time and space to fully explore its ideas and characters, and there's a reason why War and Peace is perhaps the most famous of the really long reads. The interior worlds of the characters are so richly and insightfully explored, the characters themselves change and morph substantly over the years of the novel, and the social situations are rich with commentary and humour. (Yes! The book is devastatingly funny at times!) From the most intimate colourings of the human heart to the largest brushstrokes of historial events, this book has it all. I highly recommend you ambitious souls to dive in to this one - your efforts will be rewarded!
P.S. And when you are done, reward yourself further by watching the spectacular 1960s movie version - 7 hours of it - by Soviet filmmaker Sergey Bondarchuk. Stunning!
P.P.S. I now wish I'd read this before puzzling my way through Dr. Zhivago a couple of years ago. Zhivago would have made a lot more sense, as its themes, structure, and lessons are so reminiscent of the towering work of Tolstoy that preceded it.
You've got to admire a book that doesn't skimp on time and space to fully explore its ideas and characters, and there's a reason why War and Peace is perhaps the most famous of the really long reads. The interior worlds of the characters are so richly and insightfully explored, the characters themselves change and morph substantly over the years of the novel, and the social situations are rich with commentary and humour. (Yes! The book is devastatingly funny at times!) From the most intimate colourings of the human heart to the largest brushstrokes of historial events, this book has it all. I highly recommend you ambitious souls to dive in to this one - your efforts will be rewarded!
P.S. And when you are done, reward yourself further by watching the spectacular 1960s movie version - 7 hours of it - by Soviet filmmaker Sergey Bondarchuk. Stunning!
P.P.S. I now wish I'd read this before puzzling my way through Dr. Zhivago a couple of years ago. Zhivago would have made a lot more sense, as its themes, structure, and lessons are so reminiscent of the towering work of Tolstoy that preceded it.
Took me almost two and a half years to finish this one but, my goodness, it was worth it!
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
This book is, quite literally, epic. A very long read, yes, but one of the most readable historical fiction books I've read in a long time. I never felt like I was standing still. Tolstoy's writing is compelling, and each section comes in a bite-sized chunk so one feels able to read it.
I've long wanted to read this, and I've finally achieved my goal. And it's been well worth it. Very educational about Russia and life there in the early 1800s.
I've long wanted to read this, and I've finally achieved my goal. And it's been well worth it. Very educational about Russia and life there in the early 1800s.
challenging
inspiring
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