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timmytunter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy is a monumental work that exceeded my lofty expectations and captivated me from start to finish. Tolstoy's mastery in detailing the inner workings of his characters' minds makes them incredibly relatable, despite their aristocratic context far removed from my own. Characters such as Andrey and Pierre particularly resonated with me due to the richness with which their thoughts, feelings, whims and dreams are rendered.
I approached this reading of "War and Peace" with the intention of consuming the story at a rapid pace, finishing the novel within 3 weeks. This approach helped me maintain continuity and grasp the complex narrative that spans a considerable period and shifts between various characters, locations, and themes. However, I plan to read it more slowly next time to fully marinate in the story and its concepts.
Tolstoy explores profound themes including the nature of history, the purpose of war, the concept of power, the quest for redemption, the importance of honour, and the role of religion. The theme of power and the role of leaders in shaping history, or rather their lack of control over it, particularly resonated with me. The theme of redemption drove me deeper into the book as I watched various characters undergo significant transformative arcs.
The historical context of the Napoleonic Wars is crucial to the narrative, grounding it in a time of great uncertainty and upheaval. It is true that Tolstoy's detailed military descriptions and philosophical reflections can be challenging, and indeed a bit rambling, but they are essential to forming this body of work, and without which, War and Peace would be lesser. Throughout the descriptive war portrayals, Tolstoy maintains a focus on the personal perspectives of individuals, which kept me engaged and connected to the action.
By the end of the book, I felt deeply for the trio of Andrey, Pierre, and Natasha, appreciating their transformations and struggles. Pierre's journey—marked particularly by his spiritual awakening during his imprisonment—was particularly moving, and Natasha's experiences of loss and love were heart-wrenching.
Having read Anna Karenina before War and Peace, I was surprised to find that the latter resonated more with me, in which I was more engrossed, enamoured with the characters, and engaged with Tolstoy’s philosophical musings. perhaps another valid comparison is between War and Peace and Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, penned just one year after. I find that, while both are doubtlessly literary masterpieces, Crime and Punishment edges it just slightly due to its fascinating exploration of a murderous protagonist’s mind and its profound themes of sin, guilt, repentance, forgiveness, and morality.
Nonetheless, I believe "War and Peace" is essential reading for everyone at least once in their life. Its exploration of timeless themes through richly drawn characters, coupled with its historical context and philosophical insights, make it a deeply rewarding and thought-provoking read.
I approached this reading of "War and Peace" with the intention of consuming the story at a rapid pace, finishing the novel within 3 weeks. This approach helped me maintain continuity and grasp the complex narrative that spans a considerable period and shifts between various characters, locations, and themes. However, I plan to read it more slowly next time to fully marinate in the story and its concepts.
Tolstoy explores profound themes including the nature of history, the purpose of war, the concept of power, the quest for redemption, the importance of honour, and the role of religion. The theme of power and the role of leaders in shaping history, or rather their lack of control over it, particularly resonated with me. The theme of redemption drove me deeper into the book as I watched various characters undergo significant transformative arcs.
The historical context of the Napoleonic Wars is crucial to the narrative, grounding it in a time of great uncertainty and upheaval. It is true that Tolstoy's detailed military descriptions and philosophical reflections can be challenging, and indeed a bit rambling, but they are essential to forming this body of work, and without which, War and Peace would be lesser. Throughout the descriptive war portrayals, Tolstoy maintains a focus on the personal perspectives of individuals, which kept me engaged and connected to the action.
By the end of the book, I felt deeply for the trio of Andrey, Pierre, and Natasha, appreciating their transformations and struggles. Pierre's journey—marked particularly by his spiritual awakening during his imprisonment—was particularly moving, and Natasha's experiences of loss and love were heart-wrenching.
Having read Anna Karenina before War and Peace, I was surprised to find that the latter resonated more with me, in which I was more engrossed, enamoured with the characters, and engaged with Tolstoy’s philosophical musings. perhaps another valid comparison is between War and Peace and Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, penned just one year after. I find that, while both are doubtlessly literary masterpieces, Crime and Punishment edges it just slightly due to its fascinating exploration of a murderous protagonist’s mind and its profound themes of sin, guilt, repentance, forgiveness, and morality.
Nonetheless, I believe "War and Peace" is essential reading for everyone at least once in their life. Its exploration of timeless themes through richly drawn characters, coupled with its historical context and philosophical insights, make it a deeply rewarding and thought-provoking read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Infidelity, Sexism, Transphobia, and Classism
Minor: Racism
fyodoralekseyev's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Pretty good. Volume 4 is really nice (Especially Part 3). Epilogue Part 2 could have not existed
If this review was for only Vol 4 I'd give 5 stars its very good
If this review was for only Vol 4 I'd give 5 stars its very good
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Gun violence