pharmdad2007's review against another edition
4.0
**Jesse's 2nd Annual "Red October" Reading Project**
-Project Background: In October of last year, I read "The Brothers Karamazov". Not for any reason, I just did. Then in December I thought, "I should read a Dickens novel every December and call it my "Dickens in December" reading project. So in December I read "David Copperfield". Then I thought, "I should read a classic Russian novel every October since I already have one under my belt!" And thus was born the "Red October" reading project.
Now for my review:
This was a very long book. Of course, that's like saying that most grass is green, giraffes have long necks, and the Giants and the Tigers are playing in the World Series this year. Some things just go without saying, right?
Right.
So this very long book is about some war and some peace. Again, fairly obvious.
The problem is that there is way too much of this book to review it adequately. So here are a few of my key observations about the book:
1. The main characters were quite engaging, and the relationships between them keep you wondering until the end just exactly how things will turn out.
2. Leo Tolstoy had some very strong opinions about war, history, and historians, and he spent many, many pages voicing these opinions.
3. If you ever want to learn about the French invasion of Russia in the early 1800s, this book is a terrific source.
4. For the most part, I was satisfied with the way things turned out. *Minor spoiler alert* The scoundrels mostly died, the good guys mostly lived happily ever after, and the war was mostly won.
And so ends another "Red October". If anyone has any suggestions for next year's selection, please comment below! And be sure to watch for my second annual "Dickens in December" review of "A Tale of Two Cities", coming up in, you guessed it, December.
-Project Background: In October of last year, I read "The Brothers Karamazov". Not for any reason, I just did. Then in December I thought, "I should read a Dickens novel every December and call it my "Dickens in December" reading project. So in December I read "David Copperfield". Then I thought, "I should read a classic Russian novel every October since I already have one under my belt!" And thus was born the "Red October" reading project.
Now for my review:
This was a very long book. Of course, that's like saying that most grass is green, giraffes have long necks, and the Giants and the Tigers are playing in the World Series this year. Some things just go without saying, right?
Right.
So this very long book is about some war and some peace. Again, fairly obvious.
The problem is that there is way too much of this book to review it adequately. So here are a few of my key observations about the book:
1. The main characters were quite engaging, and the relationships between them keep you wondering until the end just exactly how things will turn out.
2. Leo Tolstoy had some very strong opinions about war, history, and historians, and he spent many, many pages voicing these opinions.
3. If you ever want to learn about the French invasion of Russia in the early 1800s, this book is a terrific source.
4. For the most part, I was satisfied with the way things turned out. *Minor spoiler alert* The scoundrels mostly died, the good guys mostly lived happily ever after, and the war was mostly won.
And so ends another "Red October". If anyone has any suggestions for next year's selection, please comment below! And be sure to watch for my second annual "Dickens in December" review of "A Tale of Two Cities", coming up in, you guessed it, December.
mahum221's review against another edition
5.0
tolstoy has alot to say and often the same thing a thousand times over.
the characters were so realistically written, though it took me a while to realize that boris was out of the picture all of a sudden. and finally some romance that isn’t too corny or unhinged.
i love it and i love tolstoy mwah mwah
the characters were so realistically written, though it took me a while to realize that boris was out of the picture all of a sudden. and finally some romance that isn’t too corny or unhinged.
i love it and i love tolstoy mwah mwah
cassandrahpenny's review against another edition
I had the beautiful intentions of listening to a chapter a day and then mice infested my flat three days into January and I've been so disjointed and have missed too many days for this project to work this year. Farewell, War and Peace, may I have more time for you in 2024.
yak_attak's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 - a towering, monumental classic for a reason, Tolstoy's sprawling epic is lush with beautifully realized characters; incredible historical background for the unfolding drama; and moving philosophical issues that spread amongst the catty happenings of this soap opera on steroids. Aspects of this I'll never forget - Pierre on the Battlefield of Borodino, or Natasha's time at the opera. Other parts though, and this is why this is stuck a significant half star lower than I wish, are just interminably long. Tolstoy really has a bone to pick with Napoleon, and historical 'great man' narratives, and he will not let you forget it. Digressions and asides to harp on his thoughts just bog things down so far, when the actual core of the novel presents his argument so much better. It's flawed for that, but a flawed masterpiece is still a masterpiece.
katiebhastings's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
jeyjey's review against another edition
I couldn't care less about anything that was happening (if I even knew what was happening at any point, which I very much doubt).
torjus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
kjboldon's review against another edition
5.0
I read over the last 3 months with a pandemic group at A Public Space, led by Yiyun Li. A slow group read for this doorstop is perfect. I read it in college and retained almost nothing, except an abiding affection for the klutzy Pierre. It's a mix of history, philosophy, and close detailed character. It has broad sweep and fine observation, and reading a bit every day has been a consolation. I finished by reading the appendix and the Intro, and am sad to close the covers.
kjboldon's review against another edition
4.0
Finished it, again! 4th attempt, 3rd time through, with #TolstoyTogether group, and with the book Tolstoy Together as a companion. Well worth the journey.
sophiewilliams's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the characters and the way they developed throughout the books. Not such a fan of the discussions of tactics etc. Also the 2nd epilogue was not how I would have wanted to finish the book! Should have stopped after epilogue 1.