War and Peace (I)

Leo TolstoyJul 2024

5.0

Word count: 112K words
Chapters: 68

Summary

War and Peace is a novel by the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy and one of his major works. This is the English edition. Centered on the Patriotic War of 1812, it follows the Bolkonsky, Bezukhov, Rostov and Kuragin families through war and peace and reflects the great historical events of Russian society from 1805 to 1820. With remarkably spare prose and superb psychological analysis, the novel vividly brings to life one of the most stirring casts of characters in Russian literature and unfolds a sweeping panorama of Russian social life before and after the war.

The basic theme of War and Peace is an affirmation of the Russian people's just resistance in war and a praise of their patriotism and heroism. With its vast historical background, profound study of human nature and outstanding artistic achievement, it has become a classic of world literature and has deeply influenced the development of human thought and art. It has also been adapted many times into films, television series, operas and other art forms, and is widely loved by audiences around the world.

Editor's review

The English edition of Part One of War and Peace, a reliable starting point for this great work. Centered on the Patriotic War of 1812, it follows the Bolkonsky, Bezukhov, Rostov and Kuragin families through war and peace, spreading out the broad picture of Russian society from 1805 to 1820. Tolstoy shapes his characters with spare prose and superb psychological analysis; balls, battlefields and family life move in turn, with both the pressure of great historical forces and the subtle shifts of individual fates. The English translation helps readers follow the narrative structure against its original context, but the many names and family trees can confuse a first reading. Suited to readers willing to invest time and interested in historical fiction and the study of human nature; moving through it volume by volume reveals the overall design better than scattered reading.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Russian history and long war novels
Deep readers who want to read world literature classics systematically
Students who need the English original for literature courses
Readers who enjoy large casts and psychological portrayal

Not a good fit for

Readers who want only light, short reading and lack patience for long books
Beginners troubled by many names and family relationships
Readers expecting fast plotting and a single storyline

Reading tips

Make a list of the four families first and add to it as you read to reduce confusion.
Move chapter by chapter and note the alternation of war and peace lines.
Write a three-to-five-sentence summary after each part to help connect later plot.
In English reading, read a passage through before looking up words so you are not constantly interrupted.

版权信息
BOOK FOUR: 1806
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XVI
BOOK FIVE: 1806 - 07
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXII
BOOK SIX: 1808 - 10
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXII
CHAPTER XXIII
CHAPTER XXIV
CHAPTER XXV
CHAPTER XXVI

FAQ

Is this the complete work or only Part One?

According to the information, this is the English edition of Part One of War and Peace, not the complete work. Be prepared to find the corresponding later volumes; proceed part by part rather than skipping.

What if I am unfamiliar with the English names and family relationships?

Make your own character list first, noting members of the four families and their main relationships, and add new characters as they appear. Russian names have given names, patronymics and surnames, and the same person is addressed differently in different settings; checking as you read greatly reduces confusion.

Can I understand it without knowing Russian history?

Yes, but it takes some patience. The novel centers on the Patriotic War of 1812 and covers historical events from 1805 to 1820. In war passages, grasp the characters' situation and feelings first rather than every historical detail; things become clearer on a second look.

Is it suitable as English learning material?

It suits readers with a good English foundation for intensive reading of a long work, but not as an introductory textbook. There are many characters and long sentences; focus on following the narrative, use a character list and part summaries, and avoid word-for-word translation that slows you down.

Related on WeRead

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Leo Tolstoy Author

Leo Tolstoy is one of the most influential writers in the history of Russian literature. Public information is limited: basic details such as his dates of birth and death and his nationality are not recorded in our database, yet the themes and style of his works still convey the character of his writing. Our collection includes eighteen of his works, with War and Peace and Resurrection as representative titles; the former is presented in several volumes and also appears in English editions. His writing is known for interweaving grand historical scenes with individual destinies, depicting characters across the broad canvas of war, family, and moral and ethical questions in a steady, reflective narrative style, while Resurrection focuses more on the conflict between personal conscience and social reality. His works are commonly found in categories such as foreign literature and war and military fiction, and are still widely read today.