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War and Peace

(Modern Library MM)

By A.N. Wilson, Leo Tolstoy, Constance Garnett (Translator)

(99)

| Mass Market Paperback | 9780345472403

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Book Description

Often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace is at once an epic of the Napoleonic Wars, a philosophical study, and a celebration of the Russian spirit. Tolstoy’s genius is seen clearly in the multitude of fully realized and equally memorable characters that populate this Continue

Often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace is at once an epic of the Napoleonic Wars, a philosophical study, and a celebration of the Russian spirit. Tolstoy’s genius is seen clearly in the multitude of fully realized and equally memorable characters that populate this massive chronicle. Out of this complex narrative emerges a profound examination of the individual’s place in the historical process, one that makes it clear why Thomas Mann praised Tolstoy for his Homeric powers and placed War and Peace in the same category as the Iliad: “To read him . . . is to find one’s way home . . . to everything within us that is fundamental and sane.”

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

13 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

  • ''War and Peace'' by Leo Tolstoy

    It feels kinda funny writing a review on a classic like War and Peace, but here goes. It's definitely one of those things that's worth reading. A shining example of 19th century realism. A little bit of historical philosophy in between. It's not quite a novel (as Tolstoy himself said); it just is wh ... (continue)

    It feels kinda funny writing a review on a classic like War and Peace, but here goes. It's definitely one of those things that's worth reading. A shining example of 19th century realism. A little bit of historical philosophy in between. It's not quite a novel (as Tolstoy himself said); it just is what it is, part narrative, part theory, part history... Despite its length, I found most of it really interesting and it kept me quite engaged (with a couple notable exceptions perhaps).

    Some really interesting stuff going on too. I think there's a separation being made between 'masculine' and 'feminine' aspects of society. On the masculine side, Tolstoy puts war, politics, government, etc; on the feminine side, we get every day happenings, parties, society, etc. If this was a typical binary distinction, then Tolstoy would value the masculine over the feminine, but I don't think that's the case (which is what makes it interesting). If anything, the every day happenings are as significant as a general leading an army. People attending parties and falling in love is as important to history as the great wars of history. Kind of interesting when you think of it like that.

    Tolstoy is also rejecting the Modern idea of individual 'Man' as being in absolute control of his life; and of having the liberty to direct history. Instead, all humans are part of a great dance where we all play our parts, but one person will never change the direction of history. There is so much going on in the universe, and we are subject to all these happenings. I think there's something almost spiritual about this point of view. There's a great force guiding us all, and the human mind will never be able to fully comprehend how interconnected everything in this universe is.

    Definitely worth the read, if you have the time.

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    Scott said on Jun 15, 2011 about the Others 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

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