War and Peace: Original Version

War and Peace: Original Version(1869)

Leo Tolstoy

Goodreads
4.17
367K Votes
Readings

A new version – the one Tolstoy originally intended, but has been hitherto unpublished – of Russia’s most famous novel; with a different ending, fewer digressions and an altered view of Napoleon – it’s time to look afresh at one of the world’s favourite books.‘War and Peace’ is a masterpiece – a panoramic portrait of Russian society and its descent into the Napoleonic Wars which for over a century has inspired reverential devotion among its readers.This new version is certain to provoke controversy and devotion in equal measures. A ‘first draft’ of the epic version known to all, it was completed in 1866 but never published. A closely guarded secret for a century and a half, the unveiling of the original version of ‘War and Peace’, with an ending different to that we all know, is of huge significance to students of Tolstoy. But it is also sure to prove fascinating to the general reader who will find it an invigorating and absorbing read. Free of the solemn philosophical wanderings, the drama and tragedy of this sweeping tale is reinforced. His characters remain central throughout, emphasising their own personal journeys, their loves and passions, their successes and failures and their own personal tragedies.500 pages shorter, this is historical fiction at its most vivid and vital, and readers will marvel anew at Tolstoy’s unique ability to conjure the lives and souls of Russia and the Russians in all their glory. For devotees who long for more, for those who struggled and didn’t quite make it to the end, or for those who have always wanted to know what all the fuss is about, this is essential reading.

Infos

Pages
1024
Authors
Format
Kindle Edition
Language
English

People Interested
3
People Finished
1

Published By
HarperCollins Publishers
Published at
1/1/1869
Isbn13
9780007396993
Isbn10
0007396996

Setting
Russia, St. Petersburg, Russia, Moscow (Russian Federation)
Originally published at
1/1/1869
Original Language
English

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Reviews

aleks-predator
10 months ago
10
My favorite piece from the school curriculum This legendary work was on my ear long before it had to be read according to the school curriculum, either in the 9th or 10th grade. All the older relatives, as one, said that it was a great story, huge in size. I approached the first volume with some caution, expecting something too much. And at school, I never really liked the works of classics that needed to be read, and the fear of Tolstoy's creation was forced many times because of the abundance of pages. But I remember my grandfather saying that you only need to master the first 30-50 pages and then it will go by leaps and bounds. It was like he was looking into the water. And so it happened. And I couldn't tear myself away anymore. I think that the age was suitable at that time for reading the work, because if you were younger, you would hardly have appreciated and understood the full depth of what you read. I am sure that even after 10-20-30 years, the reader will discover something new in War and Peace. "War and Peace" is an excellent work about love for one's homeland, for one's family. It's about everything at once. This book makes the reader think about all sorts of issues, reflect on his place in this world, and the reader will definitely put himself in the place of many heroes and decide whether he agrees with their actions and opinions or not. He would have done the same thing either way. And empathy for the characters, association of oneself with them — this is the professionalism of the author, his ability to immerse you in a story that is lively and interesting. In addition, these are not just books of fiction, these are historical events that took place, and the characters are skillfully placed in those times and live based on the real events taking place around them. To be as truthful as possible in his work, Tolstoy even, as far as I know, visited Borodino, studied the facts of history. This is a really responsible approach to business. The main characters are good in their own way. You obviously sympathize with someone, someone is annoying, but you want to follow them and understand their experiences. This is especially noticeable against the background of longing for a peaceful life, which each of them loses when the war begins. "War and Peace" is a whole world, which is competently and colorfully written by the author, a world with living heroes whose destinies are closely intertwined in the whirlwind of events of those distant years now. I definitely recommend reading this work by the great Lev Nikolaevich. After you turn over the last page, it is quite possible that you will feel that you have become part of a grandiose, interesting event, which, thanks to the author's pen, now exists beyond time for all generations. 10 out of 10

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