War and Peace

by Leo Tolstoy
War and Peace cover
Good Books rating 4.69
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £3.99–£15.99 Hardback • £18.99–£60.00
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Technical
  • ID: 33
  • Added: 2025-08-10
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781784871949
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2017-01-05
  • Formats: 383
  • Reviews: 4

War and Peace, masterfully translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, is a sweeping epic that brings to life the rich tapestry of 19th-century Russia. Through vivid descriptions of Moscow's high society, the brutal realities of war, and the intimate moments of personal tragedy, Tolstoy weaves a story that is as profound as it is enthralling. The novel follows the intertwined lives of Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei, and Natasha Rostov, exploring themes of love, war, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. /n/n This edition, part of the Vintage Classic Russians Series, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution and offers readers a chance to immerse themselves in one of the greatest works of world literature. The translation is praised for its ability to bring the characters to life, making the reader feel as if they are experiencing the story firsthand.

Reviews
The Bibliofilles · 2025-09-02
monumental 4.80

The novel is regarded as a monumental classic and one of the most important works of literature, elevating Tolstoy to literary greatness.

The reviewer views War and Peace as the ultimate classic, praising its monumental scale and cultural importance. They highlight how Tolstoy's work stands as a pinnacle in literature, capturing the reader with its epic nature and profound thematic depth, making it a defining read for anyone interested in literary masterpieces.

Quick quotes

    The classic to end all classics

    an epic of monumental scale regarded as one of the most important works of literature

    hurtling Tolstoy to literary greatness

pushingthewave.co.uk · 2025-09-02
breathtaking 4.70

The novel is praised for its breathtaking scope and the complex transformation of Pierre, who embodies the anti-hero archetype in a way that is simultaneously amusing, touching, and tragic.

This perspective highlights the emotional and narrative depth of the story, particularly through Pierre's character arc. The reviewer finds the novel’s scale and the detailed psychological portrayal of its characters to be profoundly moving, emphasizing the human complexities Tolstoy explores rather than just the historical events.

Quick quotes

    War and Peace is breathtaking

    the transformation of Pierre, surely the archetype of the anti-hero in every sense, is amusing, ridiculous, touching, tragic

    a profound exploration of human complexity

Reddit - Recommended Books · 2021-12-22
enjoyable 4.75

Every part of the book is enjoyable, with characters, events, and philosophy seamlessly integrated.

The reviewer on Reddit praises War and Peace for its engaging characters, compelling events, and deep philosophical insights. They find that Tolstoy's writing style makes every part of the book enjoyable, with nothing feeling dull or excessive. The reviewer appreciates the way Tolstoy weaves together personal stories with broader historical events, creating a rich and immersive reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Characters, events, ideas, philosophy, the way Tolstoy writes. Every part was enjoyable, nothing was dull or too much.

    The book is big and intimidating but it's often the crown jewel for readers.

    It covers more time, more philosophy and commentary, more than the average novel.

Auxiliary Memory · 2020-12-28
wonderful 4.50

The novel is philosophical and explores romances within aristocratic families during the Napoleonic Wars. It is considered a wonderful read despite its length and complexity.

The reviewer found War and Peace to be a wonderful novel, filled with philosophical depth and intricate romantic entanglements within the aristocratic families of the time. They appreciate the historical context and the way Tolstoy weaves together personal stories with the broader canvas of the Napoleonic Wars. However, they also acknowledge that the book's length and complexity can be challenging, which might deter some readers.

Quick quotes

    It's actually a wonderful novel, quite philosophical, but mainly about romances within large aristocratic families during the Napoleonic Wars.

    The book is a masterpiece of literature that explores love, life, and history in a way that few other novels can match.

    War and Peace is breathtaking, and the transformation of Pierre is amusing and ridiculous.

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