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timmytunter's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Infidelity, Sexism, Transphobia, and Classism
Minor: Racism
quotablehedgehog's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Alcohol
liesthemoontells's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, and War
Moderate: Suicide
ggcd1981's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Classism
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism and Dementia
audreybelle's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Domestic abuse, Incest, and Miscarriage
dani007k's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Pregnancy
Minor: Incest, Sexism, and Terminal illness
vlntnmz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion