Synopsis
This novel focuses on Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 and follows three of the most well-known characters in literature: Pierre Bezukhov, the illegitimate son of a count who is fighting for his inheritance and yearning for spiritual fulfillment; Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, who leaves his family behind to fight in the war against Napoleon; and Natasha Rostov, the beautiful young daughter of a nobleman who intrigues both men.
As Napoleon’s army invades, Tolstoy brilliantly follows characters from diverse backgrounds—peasants and nobility, civilians and soldiers—as they struggle with the problems unique to their era, their history, and their culture. And as the novel progresses, these characters transcend their specificity, becoming some of the most moving—and human—figures in world literature.
Thoughts
I think I put this one off long enough. I mostly blame that 1980s Peanuts special, Happy New Year, Charlie Brown, in which poor Charlie lugs around this monster of a book, desperately hoping for a shorter version. And while I’m glad I didn’t have to tackle it at his age, I can now appreciate the depth and complexity that have kept War and Peace relevant for generations. Yes, it’s long—verbose, even—but this sweeping historical epic offers rich reflections on love, fate, politics, and the cost of war. If you haven’t taken it on yet, don’t worry. Read it at your own pace, and let the story unfold.
★★★★☆
Question
Have you read this book?