"This is a massive book: both in length, and scope. It's a chronicle of two or three decades of several families and interrelated characters in Russia. There is a main character (Count Bezhuov), but he is the main character by default, because there are so many characters to which so much time is devoted. The story has so many facets that a main plotline can't be given. It goes into every aspect of life in Moscow and St. Petersburg society, as well as a soldier's life in the Napoleonic Wars. On top of this is Leo Tolstoy devoting chapters and chapters to his direct philosophy on war and life in general. As I said before, this book is massive."
David J. Peterson, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of War and Peace
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story
- 19th century
Life of a profession:
- soldier
Inside culture (main char)
- Russian
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Outside culture (society)
- Russian
War/Revolt/Disaster on civilians
Yes
Job/Profession/Status story
Yes
Ethnic/regional/gender life
Yes
Main Character
Profession/status:
- wealthy
Age:
- 40's-50's
Eccentric/Mental
Yes
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- almost none
