Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Penguin Classics (1978), Paperback, 736 pages
Description
Tolstoys insights into human nature and reflections on the concepts of history and war give this audiobook a breadth and scope that are brought vividly to life in this unique, full-cast dramatization featuring more than two hours of specially composed music by Neil Brand. Unabridged. 10 CDs.
User reviews
LibraryThing member stubbyfingers
The author repeats himself often throughout this novel, but then, if you were writing a 1500 page novel, you probably would too.
There were three separate components interwoven throughout this book. The first is the story of the people of Russia. The loves and lives of the Rostovs and their
The second part was a description of the Napoleon's invasion of Russia and descriptions of the battles. While I didn't particularly enjoy this part (I groaned inwardly every time Napoleon was mentioned), it was interesting at times too, and the rest of the story couldn't have moved along without some description of what was happening in the war.
The third part was the part that really made me cringe. This was when Mr. Tolstoy got up on his soapbox and explained at length and repetitively why historians are all wrong and have done a really poor job of figuring out causes and effects throughout history. He started with a few paragraphs of this here and there, but as the novel progressed, his soapbox moments became more frequent and prolonged until the last hundred pages of the book which are almost exclusively devoted to this. It definitely made me glad to finally get to the end of this novel!
I'm glad I made my way through this book mostly because now I can finally say "Yes, I've read War & Peace." If being able to say that isn't on the list of the things that will make you happy, I'd recommend skipping this--I'm sure you can find better ways to spend your time.
There were three separate components interwoven throughout this book. The first is the story of the people of Russia. The loves and lives of the Rostovs and their
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acquaintances. I really enjoyed this part, especially when I got into the swing of things the way they were in early 19th century Russia. The second part was a description of the Napoleon's invasion of Russia and descriptions of the battles. While I didn't particularly enjoy this part (I groaned inwardly every time Napoleon was mentioned), it was interesting at times too, and the rest of the story couldn't have moved along without some description of what was happening in the war.
The third part was the part that really made me cringe. This was when Mr. Tolstoy got up on his soapbox and explained at length and repetitively why historians are all wrong and have done a really poor job of figuring out causes and effects throughout history. He started with a few paragraphs of this here and there, but as the novel progressed, his soapbox moments became more frequent and prolonged until the last hundred pages of the book which are almost exclusively devoted to this. It definitely made me glad to finally get to the end of this novel!
I'm glad I made my way through this book mostly because now I can finally say "Yes, I've read War & Peace." If being able to say that isn't on the list of the things that will make you happy, I'd recommend skipping this--I'm sure you can find better ways to spend your time.
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Language
Original language
Russian
Original publication date
1865-1867: Serialised
1869: Book
Physical description
736 p.; 7.5 inches
ISBN
0140440631 / 9780140440638