Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Milano, Garzanti
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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LibraryThing member Clif
I have finished the first half of War & Peace. I plan listen to some other books before proceeding with the second half. I belong to a book group that is reading it for the summer. Two meetings still remain of the three planned, so I still plenty of time to finish.
I plan to wait until I'm finished
I plan to wait until I'm finished
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with the second half before trying to write a review. I'm wondering how to write a review of a book that has been already thoroughly reviewed by scholars for many years. What more can I say that hasn't been said before. Show Less
LibraryThing member tommi180744
With over 500 characters each given time and place to make a mark within a rolling, panoramic story of truly Historical proportions, where shall I begin? Easy: An unsurpassed MASTERPIECE of its epic genre and Tolstoy one of the genuine immortal great Authors. Everytime I consider the Russian
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literally penned this immense tome and kept niches for every personality, scene, word and gesture in the mind as he did so just astounds me all over again at his brilliance. Show Less
LibraryThing member kslade
Great classic novel from Russia during the war against Napoleon. I was reading this along with the PBS series. Hard to keep the names straight but a good story. I identified with Pierre!
Later in college I watched the 6 hour Russian movie.
Later in college I watched the 6 hour Russian movie.
Subjects
Language
Original language
Russian
Original publication date
1865-1867: Serialised
1869: Book
Other editions
Guerra e pace, 1 by Lev Nikolaevič Tolstoj (Paper Book)