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War and Peace

By Leo Tolstoy, Rosemary Edmonds (Translator)

(100)

| Mass Market Paperback | 9780140444179

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Book Description

Epic historical novel by Leo Tolstoy, originally published as Voyna i mir in 1865-69. This panoramic study of early 19th-century Russian society, noted for its mastery of realistic detail and variety of psychological analysis, is generally regarded as one of the world's greatest novels. War and PeacContinue

Epic historical novel by Leo Tolstoy, originally published as Voyna i mir in 1865-69. This panoramic study of early 19th-century Russian society, noted for its mastery of realistic detail and variety of psychological analysis, is generally regarded as one of the world's greatest novels. War and Peace is primarily concerned with the histories of five aristocratic families--particularly the Bezukhovs, the Bolkonskys, and the Rostovs--the members of which are portrayed against a vivid background of Russian social life during the war against Napoleon (1805-14). The theme of war, however, is subordinate to the story of family existence, which involves Tolstoy's optimistic belief in the life-asserting pattern of human existence. The heroine, Natasha Rostova, for example, reaches her greatest fulfillment through her marriage to Pierre Bezukhov and her motherhood. The novel also sets forth a theory of history, concluding that there is a minimum of free choice; all is ruled by an inexorable historical determinism.

Critics

  • A masterpiece in miniature

    War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, trans Anthony Briggs 1,392pp, Penguin Classics, £16.99 "As for Tolstoy," James Joyce wrote to his brother, when Joyce was 23, "I disagree with you altogether. Tolstoy is a magnificent writer. He is never dull, never stup ... (read full critics)

    guardian.co.uk published on Sat, 25 Sep 2010

  • War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

    One of my most memorable couts de théâtre was the nine-hour stage version of War and Peace I saw in London a couple of years ago, complete with battles, balls, bear hunts and 15 actors playing at least three parts each. It was brilliant. General Kutu ... (read full critics)

    guardian.co.uk published on Fri, 24 Sep 2010

12 Reviews

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  • 1 person find this helpful

    Great epic, vast in scope, but well worth the effort!

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    Andy Neads said on Jan 18, 2008 | Add your feedback

  • Kapli Kapali. Drops dripped.

    It feels like I just spent a long month in Russia in the early nineteenth century. But in spite of the frequent passages on military history where Tolstoy analyses in great depth the pointlessness of military ambitions, and which make you wonder how there ever could have been another war in the wor ... (continue)

    It feels like I just spent a long month in Russia in the early nineteenth century. But in spite of the frequent passages on military history where Tolstoy analyses in great depth the pointlessness of military ambitions, and which make you wonder how there ever could have been another war in the world, I truly enjoyed this armchair trip around Russia. Met some wonderful characters, full of excitable passions and overflowing emotions (the Rostovs), some others, deeply reserved and private (the Bolkonskys) who interest us just the same, some brilliant society people who lie and cheat with such style (the Kuragins, mainly), and of course Pierre, a humanist hero, out of step with everyone but always tuned in to what truly matters.

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    Top of the pile said on Jul 12, 2011 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Truly a classic book. For many it may look daunting purely by the thickness of the book, however when reading you find yourself in a wonderfully written tale involving historical moments leading to the French invasion of Russia through the eyes of Russian aristocracy and also features real historica ... (continue)

    Truly a classic book. For many it may look daunting purely by the thickness of the book, however when reading you find yourself in a wonderfully written tale involving historical moments leading to the French invasion of Russia through the eyes of Russian aristocracy and also features real historical figures such as Napoleon.

    Tolstoy was clever and realistic in his use of both Russian and French in his original version, being true to aristocracy of the time who spoke French due to it being viewed as prestigious and sophisticated unlike Russian.

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    xYoshiiiiox said on Jun 20, 2011 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • There are so many references to War and Peace in other literature. Prince Andrei's dried up old tree approach is critiqued in Esteban, The House of Spirits. It happens all the time.

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    DustMoteVII said on Mar 22, 2010 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Masterpiece

    This book is simply what one would call a masterpiece. Too bad it can't be read in Russian unless one has a vast knowledge of the language. The whole story takes the reader through the historical moments and the places of the Russian empire during Napoleone's reign. At the same time the figure of th ... (continue)

    This book is simply what one would call a masterpiece. Too bad it can't be read in Russian unless one has a vast knowledge of the language. The whole story takes the reader through the historical moments and the places of the Russian empire during Napoleone's reign. At the same time the figure of the Russian zar is amazingly presented from many points of view. You haven't read it yet? What the hell are you waiting for? The whole 1400 pages are certainly worth it. The many many characters are each and every one deeply explored they stay true to themselves and yet, all the while evolving in the story...just one word for the author: Bravo

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    SamWinchester89 said on Feb 24, 2010 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

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