A review by yak_attak
War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy

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.