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Adam Dalva's Reviews > War and Peace
War and Peace
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In this frightening, isolated time, let me direct you to War and Peace. People resist this book - they do it because it's something of a punch line as a monolithic, difficult novel. But this is one of the frothiest soap operas of a novel that I know of, with far more narrative propulsion than the excellent (but sometimes slow) ANNA KARENINA. Two nations at war - great world leaders and generals, yes, but also trench life, and even more so, relevantly, now, the way war alters lives at home.
The thrills of this novel should not be spoiled, but the memories are indelible (a dramatic entrance in an opera house, a medical sequence as harrowing as it is moving, Pierre, in Moscow aflame). Tolstoy's creations in the book are near-perfect: Natasha, Andrei, and Pierre, that most lovable of teddy bears, and dozens of spectacular supporting characters, intertwining in complex ways. It is not a difficult book - just a long one. And it as spell-binding and transporting reading experience that I know of. Tolstoy is the ur-novelist for a reason. It's probably already on your shelf. It's been there for years, since college, maybe.
Start it this evening. Trust me.
The thrills of this novel should not be spoiled, but the memories are indelible (a dramatic entrance in an opera house, a medical sequence as harrowing as it is moving, Pierre, in Moscow aflame). Tolstoy's creations in the book are near-perfect: Natasha, Andrei, and Pierre, that most lovable of teddy bears, and dozens of spectacular supporting characters, intertwining in complex ways. It is not a difficult book - just a long one. And it as spell-binding and transporting reading experience that I know of. Tolstoy is the ur-novelist for a reason. It's probably already on your shelf. It's been there for years, since college, maybe.
Start it this evening. Trust me.
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Reading Progress
February 8, 2010
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March 21, 2020
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Finished Reading
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Sandra
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Mar 21, 2020 12:41PM
I have never read this .... it makes me think it’s too much to take on. But like you say in these times on staying home more this sounds a great project to take on ! Great review
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I've been looking forward to reading this translation. This is probably a good time to do so... after I'm done with a couple of other books? Not much of a commitment, is it?
It's easyyy to read! And interesting! And with an amazing characters...
Planning to re-read W&P sometime this year - now want to start sooner than later after your review.
I'd caution readers who like "easy reading" that the first 150-200 pages can be a bit disorientating until the primary characters cohere. The opening paragraph is unattributed dialogue. The two Annas early on can be confusing. But once it gets going, it takes off and then, yes, it's easy, enjoyable reading, at least until the long repetitive essay on the nature of history . . . Otherwise, now is definitely a good time to read it (or re-read a different translation), also for perspective.
Lee wrote: "I'd caution readers who like "easy reading" that the first 150-200 pages can be a bit disorientating until the primary characters cohere. The opening paragraph is unattributed dialogue. The two Ann..."I should have also mentioned that the French can slow people down! But I wonder how much of this is a disorientation problem that most novels have, compounded by the length and scope of this? Excellent thoughts.
So lovely to see that this book is being appreciated at the time when all of society need to read it! This is my favourite book of all time; I too plan to reread it soon.What did you think of the P+V translation? :)
Best book ever written and an easy read. How can you beat that combination?
I keep meaning to reread it. I read it last in the two weeks between leaving college and my wedding, lol...48 years ago. But it remains vivid in my memory.
I am on the hunt for a font that is not pindot tiny so I can finally get into this classic. Great review...makes me impatient to start reading.
Lori wrote: "I am on the hunt for a font that is not pindot tiny so I can finally get into this classic. Great review...makes me impatient to start reading."It was originally published in 4 tomes (books), so maybe it would be best to lookfor something like that. I have it that way and its not a pain for the eyes to read :)
Thanks for the info! And I bet that a four volume set would fit in the hand with ease.:)
Totally agree. Such a good reccomendation for this time.
Absolutely--so true! Excellent review.
Day 4 of quarantine: Adam Dalva reviews War and Peace on goodreads
agreed! People never believe me when I tell them this is one of my favorite books, or that it’s so so much better than Anna Karenina. Opening chapter —the opening scene—is a masterful study oointroducing the reader to the world of the novel and primary characters. Glad to see it getting recommended.
Thank you so much for this review. I enjoyed AK so I will put War and Peace on my reading list (near the top).
I will have to read this, Adam.
I’m reading this again as part of the online group #TolstoyTogether. It’s just as great as the first two times!
It was supposed to be its year but then i started The eighth Life. One mammoth of a book about Russia (or URSS) per year is enough. Good to know it different from Anna Kkarenina.
I was thinking about reading it and your review convinced me. It’s a big commitment but I’m ready! Thanks!
It's interesting how we react differently. I love this novel, but Pierre wasn't lovable to me. Andrei was, which made his death sorrowful. Of course I appreciated Pierre's growth near the end. And he was so kind in breaking the news to Natasha that her crush was married. I don't doubt that Tolstoy's sympathies were with Pierre (and Natasha) primarily, though.
which translation, though?
