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epearl8 's review for:
War and Peace
by Leo Tolstoy
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.