War and Peace (V)

Leo TolstoyJul 2024

5.0

Word count: 127K words
Chapters: 91

Summary

War and Peace is a novel by the Russian writer Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy and one of his representative works. This is the English edition. Centered on the Patriotic War of 1812, the work depicts the experiences of four great aristocratic families—the Bolkonskys, the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Kuragins—in times of war and peace, reflecting the major historical events of Russian society from 1805 to 1820. With extremely concise language and outstanding psychological analysis, the novel vividly portrays one of the most stirring galleries of characters in the history of Russian literature, unfolding 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 the war and a praise of the patriotism and heroism they displayed. With its grand historical background, profound analysis of human nature, and outstanding artistic achievement, the work has become a classic in the history of world literature and has exerted a profound influence on the development of human thought and art. At the same time, it has 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

This is Volume V of the English edition of War and Peace. Centered on the Patriotic War of 1812, Tolstoy spreads the fates of four great aristocratic families across the panorama of Russian society from 1805 to 1820. This volume continues the novel's grand dual structure: on one side the advance of the battlefield and historical events, on the other the minute portrayal of characters' inner lives and family life. Tolstoy's psychological analysis is masterly, and the characters' hesitation, growth, and self-doubt amid the upheavals of the age are all rendered concretely and vividly; his reflections on the dynamics of history also permeate the narrative, making the novel not merely a family story but a sustained inquiry into war, the people, and the laws of history. The English edition suits readers who wish to enter this classic through the feel of the original language, but its length, large cast, and thick historical background demand patience in managing one's reading pace. Treat it as a long-distance run rather than a sprint, allow yourself to move back and forth between character relationships and historical threads, and by the end you will have a more three-dimensional understanding of "the place of the people in war."

Who it's for

A good fit for

English-language readers who wish to read world literary classics systematically
Those interested in Russian history, the Napoleonic Wars, and aristocratic society
Patient readers who enjoy long narratives with many characters and multiple threads
Students studying psychological portrayal and historical narrative in fiction

Not a good fit for

Readers who want quick plot gratification and have no patience for lengthy exposition
Readers completely unfamiliar with the Russian historical background who are unwilling to consult supplementary material
Beginners with insufficient English reading stamina who give up easily when faced with a large cast

Reading tips

First clarify the main members of the four great aristocratic families, and make a simple character chart before entering this volume.
Mark the war thread and the family thread separately, and after finishing each part review how the two threads mirror each other.
Do not skip Tolstoy's discursive passages; read them through first and then return to them to understand his view of history.
Control your daily reading volume; a long classic is best advanced at a steady pace to avoid interruption caused by the large cast.

版权信息
BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812
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
BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812
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
BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 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
FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20
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
SECOND EPILOGUE
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII

FAQ

Can I read Volume V directly without having read the first four volumes?

Not advisable. Volume V continues the structure of the whole book; the character relationships, the course of the war, and the fates of the families all build on what precedes it. Entering directly means facing a large number of unfamiliar characters and unexplained events, and the reading experience is likely to be frustrating. If time is limited, at least familiarize yourself with the main members of the four great aristocratic families and the major events between 1805 and 1812; reading this volume will then be much smoother.

Is the English edition very different from the Russian original?

The English edition is a translation, and different translators differ in syntax, forms of address, and style, but the main plot, characters, and intellectual content remain consistent. Tolstoy's long sentences and discursive passages are handled differently across translations; some stay closer to Russian word order, while others accommodate English readers' habits. When choosing, try reading a page or two first to see whether you can adapt to the translator's rhythm before deciding whether to continue.

Are the historical discursive passages in the book important?

Yes. Tolstoy intersperses a great many discussions of historical dynamics, chance and necessity, and the role of the people, and these passages support one another with the characters' fates, forming his complete reflection on war. They may read less smoothly than the story line, but skipping them weakens the intellectual depth of the whole book. It is advisable to read the story line through first and then return to the discursive parts, or to note down the core arguments as you read.

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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.