€32.95
Tolstoy’s beguiling masterpiece entwines love, death and determinism with Russia’s war with Napoleon and its effects on those swept up by the terror it brings. The lives of Pierre, Prince Andrei and Natasha are changed forever as conflict rages throughout the early 19th century.
| Author | graf Leo Tolstoy |
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Aggregated insights from reviews and discussions across the web.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy receives overwhelmingly positive reception online, with readers consistently ranking it among the greatest novels ever written. On Goodreads, it maintains strong ratings with extensive discussion threads, including active read-alongs and book clubs dedicated to the novel. The Pevear and Volokhonsky translation is particularly praised for its fidelity to Tolstoy's style and accessible prose. However, reception is notably polarized: while many consider it a masterpiece, a vocal minority finds it tedious and overly long.
Readers who love the book praise Tolstoy's ability to interweave intimate character moments with sweeping historical events, creating what one reviewer called 'a vast prose symphony.' The novel's exploration of Russian society during the Napoleonic invasion, combined with its philosophical depth and psychological insight, resonates strongly with those who complete it. The Anthony Briggs and Pevear-Volokhonsky translations receive specific acclaim for making the text more accessible to English readers.
Criticism centers primarily on the novel's length and structure. Multiple reviewers compare it unfavorably to other classics like Les Misérables and Moby Dick, citing 'lengthy, extraneous digressions'—particularly the extensive battle descriptions and the philosophical epilogue. Some readers abandon the book in the first volume, finding the numerous social gatherings and character introductions overwhelming. Even admirers acknowledge weaknesses, with one four-star reviewer noting that Tolstoy 'did it better in Anna Karenina' and criticizing the 'interminable epilogue' despite its strong ideas.
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