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A review by notwellread
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
5.0
At last, I have achieved the status of person-who-has-read-War-and-Peace.
I feel like there is so much to say and I don’t want to write an essay, but I want to say a few things that spring to mind, at least. (I would recommend taking notes as you go if you plan on reading and reviewing this yourself. I didn't.)
It took me a long time to read it, but I figure it would have been a better approach for me to put aside some time to focus on reading it over other things, and be absorbed. I don’t think people should necessarily see the book as ‘daunting’ the way they do, though, because the prose isn’t especially difficult (definitely recommend the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation – they never fail!) and you already know from the length that if you allow time to read it it’ll take you however long it usually takes you to read 4 novels.
As for the story itself, like most people I think I enjoyed the ‘peace’ sections more, though the ‘war’ parts are certainly compelling. I liked most of the central characters, but never grew to like Natasha. I ended up liking Marya more because of this, however, because I felt like she was the only character who didn’t fawn over her.
I enjoyed the ending, although I felt that some of the discussion of free will ran away from me a bit. The turn to philosophy in the second half (you know what I mean) was a little jarring, but thought-provoking too, and didn't detract too much from the plot. It also made me realise that it’s about time I learnt French properly, since it would also help with several other authors I read (and plan to read). I had fun trying to decipher as I went, though.
I prefer hardbacks in general, but if you buy a paperback it is just light enough that you can carry it around with you without being in pain. My copy is a little beaten up now (and I broke the spine) but it is probably more well-travelled than some human beings. I have known some people to cut their editions in half (for various reasons), but it seems a bit brutal to me.
I feel like there is so much to say and I don’t want to write an essay, but I want to say a few things that spring to mind, at least. (I would recommend taking notes as you go if you plan on reading and reviewing this yourself. I didn't.)
It took me a long time to read it, but I figure it would have been a better approach for me to put aside some time to focus on reading it over other things, and be absorbed. I don’t think people should necessarily see the book as ‘daunting’ the way they do, though, because the prose isn’t especially difficult (definitely recommend the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation – they never fail!) and you already know from the length that if you allow time to read it it’ll take you however long it usually takes you to read 4 novels.
As for the story itself, like most people I think I enjoyed the ‘peace’ sections more, though the ‘war’ parts are certainly compelling. I liked most of the central characters, but never grew to like Natasha. I ended up liking Marya more because of this, however, because I felt like she was the only character who didn’t fawn over her
Spoiler
(having said this, I was surprised by where their relationship went, but it didn’t bother me)I enjoyed the ending
Spoiler
and can appreciate that Tolstoy showed us the characters’ lives in their marriages rather than just showing us them getting marriedI prefer hardbacks in general, but if you buy a paperback it is just light enough that you can carry it around with you without being in pain. My copy is a little beaten up now (and I broke the spine) but it is probably more well-travelled than some human beings. I have known some people to cut their editions in half (for various reasons), but it seems a bit brutal to me.