It’s great, but there are different translations. Mine is a Constance Garnett translation. According to my research one of the best. If you have a Kindle consider it for this. It’s a big book and even if you have the book the e reader will be alot easier on the arms.
It’s definitely worth reading. One thing to remember about the English translations is that some of them translate the French sections while some leave them and have the translation in footnotes.
I haven’t read it but I find that the worst thing about Russian novels is keeping people straight. Not only are the names unfamiliar, but they use more than one name for people sometimes. I didn’t let that stop me with Dostoevsky, though. 🙂
I read it a long time ago , the only book I’ve had to pay a library fine for as it was a long but great read – it had a small booklet of the characters to help keep of them.
I tried it years ago…I was in fifth grade the first time, then I was somewhere between 18 and 21 when I tried again…and couldn’t do it, and my grandpa’s never been able to get through it, either.
Not difficult at all. Just really, really long. I got side tracked half way through. Now I have to wait until I’ve forgotten the first half in order to start from the beginning again.
@Kathy I agree. I bought a gorgeous Russian vintage classic of Anna Karenina but it is so large and unwieldy to read in bed I downloaded it onto my Kindle for free! May do the same with W & P.
Recently I decided to read some Russian Classics as they seemed to have passed me by. I started with The Master and Margarita and absolutely loved it. Then read Anna Karenina and found it sooooo dull I wanted to pluck my eyes out. Usually I DNF a book I’m not enjoying but I pushed on to the end….and liked it even less! Couldn’t engage with any of the characters. So I’ve regretfully decided to give War and Peace a miss and will watch it on Netflix instead. Sacrilege I know but I’m getting too long in the tooth to waste my time. However I would not discourage anyone from reading it as I’m sure there are more people who loved it than hated it. ?
A little taxing but totally worth it. I consider it one of my best reads
NO!
I tried to read it when I was a teenager and couldn’t manage. I may try again at some point.
It’s great, but there are different translations. Mine is a Constance Garnett translation. According to my research one of the best. If you have a Kindle consider it for this. It’s a big book and even if you have the book the e reader will be alot easier on the arms.
No it’s not difficult!!!!!! It’s a great book. Worth a try!!!
The musical Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 explains it quite well….?
I found it a boring & annoying read. It was the first book in my life I couldn’t bear to finish.
Not if it’s in English. 😉
It’s huge, but very interesting!! ?
It’s definitely worth reading. One thing to remember about the English translations is that some of them translate the French sections while some leave them and have the translation in footnotes.
Yes! Mine has huge French sections—NO footnotes—that was a pain in the ass because I don’t read French!?
I haven’t checked mine yet ?
No
Difficult but worth the effort.
I haven’t read it but I find that the worst thing about Russian novels is keeping people straight. Not only are the names unfamiliar, but they use more than one name for people sometimes. I didn’t let that stop me with Dostoevsky, though. 🙂
Not at all. It’s just long.
No
Wonderful classic read.
Nope…loved it!
Not at all !
It has a lot of characters (with notoriously Russian names…) but it’s fairly easy to read if you can stick out the distance.
I read it a long time ago , the only book I’ve had to pay a library fine for as it was a long but great read – it had a small booklet of the characters to help keep of them.
It’s not hard. It’s just very long and you have to get used to the names. It’s worth reading just be ready to invest the time
I tried it years ago…I was in fifth grade the first time, then I was somewhere between 18 and 21 when I tried again…and couldn’t do it, and my grandpa’s never been able to get through it, either.
No
Not difficult at all. Just really, really long. I got side tracked half way through. Now I have to wait until I’ve forgotten the first half in order to start from the beginning again.
Found the perfect description!!
Ok that’s makes everything clear. I think I won’t even read it then ???
Perhaps I should have said “spoilers!!! “??
Haha…I dont think I even need to read it anymore ??. Thank you so much that summary was enough.
Wow, I could write a dozen books with that plot lol. Let me see here.
Christmas Blues
Blue Christmas
Snow of Sorrow
Numb November
Dumb December
Dreary Weather
How Much More
(Kay I’m done. Don’t think I need to go on lol)
I couldn’t make it past page 10. It is on my DNF list and there it shall stay.
This book will be the death of me!!!
I have attempted to read it at least 7 times over a 15 year period…. I just can’t get into it at all ?
Yes!
It’s a difficult book to hold!
Good to do on Kindle
@Kathy I agree. I bought a gorgeous Russian vintage classic of Anna Karenina but it is so large and unwieldy to read in bed I downloaded it onto my Kindle for free! May do the same with W & P.
I didn’t find it any more difficult than Moby Dick. You just have to make a commitment to is and pace yourself.
Thank you ?
Just very long.
Recently I decided to read some Russian Classics as they seemed to have passed me by. I started with The Master and Margarita and absolutely loved it. Then read Anna Karenina and found it sooooo dull I wanted to pluck my eyes out. Usually I DNF a book I’m not enjoying but I pushed on to the end….and liked it even less! Couldn’t engage with any of the characters. So I’ve regretfully decided to give War and Peace a miss and will watch it on Netflix instead. Sacrilege I know but I’m getting too long in the tooth to waste my time. However I would not discourage anyone from reading it as I’m sure there are more people who loved it than hated it. ?
Oh, no. I LOVED Anna Karenina???
@Siri I just didn’t like any of the characters. I felt no sympathy for Anna and am afraid that coloured my reading somewhat.
I didn’t have sympathy for her either. It’s a messed-up story for sure!?
@Linda And your copy is SO GORGEOUS!?
@Siri Looks good on the shelf! ?
Maybe it takes time but war and peace is interesting to read
Thank you ?
Thank you.