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zeasea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Just incredible. Everyone should read at least once.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Pregnancy, and War
audreybelle's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Undeniably worse than the actual published text. At first it seemed like Tolstoy was writing in a more grounded, character focused voice (for example: wherein actual War and Peace, Tolstoy says something to the effect of "ippolit told a nonsensical story in his terrible Russian with his French accent" in this we are actually given the dialogue of that story and can tell how nonsensical it sounds) but eventually Tolstoy shifts into his normal philosophical bullshit prose. The Andrew Bromfield translation is terrible, and often awkwardly modern, including such poorly chosen phrases as "Anatole is trash" and "Ippolit's stupid face". I suppose it's worth a read if you're obsessed with the same mid-tier villains I am and want the two chapters in which they are slightly more fleshed out. Overall it is still War and Peace (but shorter!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Domestic abuse, Incest, and Miscarriage