'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy is a sprawling epic chronicling the lives of multiple characters during the Napoleonic and French Wars. The novel delves into the struggles and heroism of the Russian people, set against the backdrop of war. Tolstoy weaves philosophical dialogues throughout the narrative, offering deep insights into human existence and the impact of historical events. The book is known for its intricate character development and detailed accounts of Russian history, making it a captivating read despite its length.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Potential content warnings include themes of war, violence, death, infidelity, and societal pressures.
Has Romance?
Tales of romance are integral to War and Peace, with multiple love stories including the tumultuous relationship between Natasha and her suitors.
From The Publisher:
Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read
Often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace is at once an epic of the Napoleonic Wars, a philosophical study, and a celebration of the Russian spirit. Tolstoy's genius is seen clearly in the multitude of characters in this massive chronicle-all of them fully realized and equally memorable. Out of this complex narrative emerges a profound examination of the individual's place in the historical process, one that makes it clear why Thomas Mann praised Tolstoy for his Homeric powers and placed War and Peace in the same category as the Iliad: "To read him . . . is to find one' s way home . . . to everything within us that is fundamental and sane."
Ratings (98)
Incredible (22) | |
Loved It (27) | |
Liked It (28) | |
It Was OK (16) | |
Did Not Like (3) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (373):
Read It (101) | |
Currently Reading (7) | |
Want To Read (167) | |
Did Not Finish (13) | |
Not Interested (85) |
1 comment(s)
The first review was from 2020 and as you can see it didn't go very well reading that time. But I for some reason wanted to tackle this beast and so I did. It took me 15 days whitch is rare for me but even though it took both time and a lot of effort, I really enjoyed it. Leo Tolstoy definitely was a talented writer and in the hand of some other authors this might been a massive boredom to read bit it really wasn't. And luckily wasn't very difficult to read, just the length of it makes it somewhat challenging. But I'm glad I spend my 15 days on it and don't feel like I've wasted time
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DNF at 60 % I've tried to get into the book for days and hoping that the next chapter will be more my thing. I really wanted to like this huge classic but I just don't. It was a real struggle to read 60% and I almost cried of boredom. I didn't see the point of the book or even enjoyed a little bit. I might give this a book another try in some years to see if my feelings have changed but for now I refuse to read another page
What can you read after
War and Peace?
About the Author:
Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was born in central Russia. After serving in the Crimean War, he retired to his estate and devoted himself to writing, farming, and raising his large family. His novels and outspoken social polemics brought him world fame.
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