a common mistake, as Nicholas II's is far well known and thus people will generally associate revolution in Russia to his name *ehm* the February & October rebolution
TED-Ed is there public access to the original 1200 page version of War and Peace? Because the scale of what he was writing sounds like it could be converted into a video game.
@Bell Maximus Cattus plenty of people have time you just have to dedicate yourself to it, use those six hours and read and then the next day read for one or two just find time you would be doing nothing or say even before bed, instead of social media just read for a while.
@@eminemilly how does Tolstoy must read rule in Russian schools relevant to communist propoganda or any kind of propoganda? And how is Tolstoy related to communist at all? Sure you are a person who use War and Pease as an idiom.
Seriously. I don't even always care figuring out who is actually who. Think of it as a painting, or a dance. Yet, sometimes Tolstoy writes 25 pages for something that could be said in one sentence, it's just more fun that way.
"War and Peace" is easy to read. It's made up of many short chapters like little stories that add up so that reading it is like eating peanuts...once you start, you can't stop. I loved every minute of it.
I think all Tolstoy’s works are easy to read. I’ve only read one, “The death of Ivan Ilych” just 60 pages long, I couldn’t stop until I finished. Nothing shook me more about death than that book!
I’m trying. The first part was hard. Like some of Dostoyevsky’s novels, I couldn’t comprehend the cares of the aristocracy. I found it easier to relate to in later parts.
"... and if its length intimidates you, just imagine how poor Tolstoy felt.." Poor Tolstoy? Poor his wife, Sofia, who rewrote about 8 (if i'm not mistaken) variations of "War and Peace" BY HAND! 8 times! Also they had 13 children and she did take an active part in raising them) Love the novel, btw)
He also abused her heavily and made her give birth all the time. He was a tyrant, a horrible man. You can see his misogyny in his books too. He makes women useless side characters who would rather forgive their husbands for cheating or crazy Anna Karenina-like main characters.
@@AA-np5tj yes he was a horrible person, i agree with that. I wouldn't say that his women characters are that simple,though. I find them rather complex and sometimes actually very interesting (like Maria Bolklnskaya, for example).
My Russian literature teacher once said: “War and peace should be read at least twice in your life. The first time is at school for the general development and study of the history of Russia. The second time is when you are at a conscious age (30-40 years old). Exactly the second time you will understand the genius of Leo Tolstoy's thought".
@@user-cr2yx6ky4y Thank you for your encouragement. 👍 I am slogging my way through Tolstoy's masterpiece and have been amply rewarded for my efforts. War and Peace is a remarkable book and should be on everyone's reading list at some point in their lives.
I just started reading War and Peace a couple of weeks ago. I love these coincidences, when something that's just happening in my life is talked about on youtube. Feels good, I don't really know why though.
I don't know why every time i read Russian Literature ( Famous ones) , I always get a sense of profound emptiness inside me , a sense of awe, mixed with sadness. It makes me question our society, our culture, our humanity. These kind of books change who you are, enriching the mind with thoughts. Forces me to think critically and understand why Karl Marx's communism got so popular in Russia, why people would want such classless society. Russian people had gone through a lot in the past couple of centuries. From Bangladesh. Edit: Typing error.
@@travoltik communism never happened, se had leninism, stalinism, maoism, chavism and other "tentatives" spoiled by autoritarian leaders, dictators. Whilst capitalism survives on the cost of many lives, and time to time we have some kind of crisis (1929,1970,1980,2008,2014, and now), capitalism is literally slavery on makeup
Being Russian feels kinda cool when you listen to how another people tries to say our names and words with their ascent such as "Yasnaya polyana" and "Tolstoy". But " Decembers" is very clever adaptation of "Decabrists". Like!
На самом деле нам крупно повезло что мы можем прочесть это все в оригинале, ровным счётом как их книги могут утратить часть шарма в многочисленных переводах
At the end, I had become so attached to the story and characters that when I finished it, it felt like I had lost someone very dear to me. To me, it's the greatest book ever written.
I spent my time living near Verona, Italy with _War and Peace_ in my possession. Although I did not finish it before I returned home, I had made an impressionable dent. As I like to have reading material on long flights, I had kept it in my bag. Due to its sheer volume, when it was being scanned at the Verona airport, the attendant grabbed my attention and asked if she could look at it. The look on her face gradually turned to dismay as she flipped through the pages of the paperback tome. As she returned the libram, the outcome of the transpired events reached me; unfortunately for her pride, _War and Peace_ contained neither white powder nor contraband. _War and Peace_ is just a very big book.
John Cena It was not the only one book I bought two days ago. Usually, shorter books first and longer at the final. Since War and Peace have 1300 pages...
I'm 14 years old, halfway through it, and have only been reading it for a month. I made it my goal this year to finish before 2022, and I am absolutely determined to do it. I believe I can and will. I made it my goal because I had no idea what it was about, but it was so commonly talked about, yet I did not know more than 2 people who had read it before. I can honestly tell you that so far it is the best book I have ever read (and I do read quite a lot). What is more important to me than anything else about the book is Tolstoys immaculate way of describing characters. It is so deep and profound, and it has opened a window into viewing the ways others see things, and it is stunningly beautiful.
am not much of a reader, so it took me 18 months to read War & Peace. It was worth it. A vicarious experience through 4-5 characters. Initially I thought it was gonna be a book old people read, but you'd surprised how all the 5 Point of View characters are young & how deeply you can relate to it as a youngster. Never judge this book by its 'Classic' tag. It is surprisingly Progressive despite being called as a Classic.
YESSSSS im 14 and reading it. Only been reading for a month but im about halfway through. Lmao I wanted to challenge myself but its honestly so amazing that its just a joy to read at this point (though it can be quite dull in the war parts sometimes)
But it does have dragons. French dragons of the imperial guard as heavy cavalry :)) And they reach Moscow. And then there is a lot of ice and fire drama :)
Nah... No need to over complicate it. Just make an manga or anime series based around it and make the women waifus and the guys anime protagonist and the weeaboos will pour in.
When using an audio book with the book in hand it's not so intimidating. For some reason the mind doesn't view such tasks as a mountain so large when it doesn't have to do all the work on its own.
...Why do I find it's actually a somewhat easy read?? :o Seriously, background of history study may be of service here, but also - what? Knowledge about "the truth" of wars, bereft of propaganda? Life experience? A non-atheist approach to life/the world/people/the universe? A slight clue about the russian mentality? Possible.
I should totally read this book. I've read "Anna Karenina" by Tolstoy and I've been so fascinated by his style of writing. There's something so deep and heart touching at the Russian books that I can't find at the others. I wish I had more free time to read "War and peace". I'm sure it's a masterpiece.
Russian authors have a very interesting take on humanity as a whole. They delve into the human psyche deeper than any other. Anna Karenina is the perfect example of how much you can hate the deeds of a person but completely understand the circumstances in which they were done. Dostoevsky and Nabokov are two other wonderful writers.
I really do suggest all of Tolstoy's books. It's fascinating how he viewed the world. There has also been many great TV shows, musicals, and other books even based on his works. I suggest Dave Malloy's "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812" after reading War and Peace.
Anna Karenina is a marvelous book, but War and Peace is an over verbose, dull and, tbh, at least 8 times longer than it needs to be. Anyone who tells your how great it is is either: A- an incredibly boring person whose idea of extreme sport is stamp collecting, or (and far more likely!) B- has never actually READ the damn thing, and is just a pretentious BS merchant. My advice would be to find something more interesting to do for the month or four it will take you to read( depending on whether you have a job or not!)
I don't think you should worry about it's size at all if you read "Anna Karenina". "War and Peace" is only 1.5 times longer than "Anna Karenina". Reading with an average speed, you'll only need 20 hours to finish "Anna'" and 30 hours to finish "W&P". That's 10 and 15 days respectively if you read 2 hours a day before sleep (this calculation that Google gave me seems about right - I did finish W&P in two weeks). People really exaggerate the size of the book, it's 2 times shorter than the "Harry Potter" series that so many have read (and a lot of them more than once). It's only a little bit longer than "Lord of the Rings". It takes much less time than watching "The Game of Thrones".
One of my favorite quotes from the old MTV show Daria was when the english teacher asked her "now why do you think Tolstoy had to make War and Peace so darn... unpleasant?" to which the titular character replied, "So they wouldn't pester him to make a sequel?"
"He had wanted to write a short novel" Me: hah, he said short
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Rather than thinking how Tolstoy felt I want to see how his wife felt... She had to copy that monster of a book seven times by hand, so he could do corrections on it...
Though, she didn't complain about it. Sofia Andreevna really appreciated work of her husband. By the way, the first versions of "War and Peace" was much shorter than the final variant. She wanted to become writer by herself, but she also was happy to help her husband. I don't refuse that Tolstoy might be cruel to her, but he respect her and never cheated. It was a hard marriage for both of them
@@mrOL100 This was a necessary measure. Tolstoy severely injured his hand, which made his handwriting incredibly difficult to read. Only Sofya Andreevna could do this
Cant believe that I finally read this masterpiece. About to finish it for the second time. Just like we watch some of our favorite films over and over again, similarly reading now for the second time opened many doors that were missed in the first. The sheer magnanimity of the world depicted by Count Tolstoy is breathtaking. Its sort of a crash course to everything one could think of. Of life and death, love and hatred, courage and fear, greed and generosity, and finally war and peace. This beautiful work demands attention and respect and in return would give you an insight that has the power to shake your soul. It celebrates life and its intricacies like no other written work. Tolstoy with this masterpiece seems to wage a war with the learned men of ages indefinitely. Whether it's a historian, scholar, king, kingmaker, guardian of reason or religion, he doesn't spare anyone who's not looking deep into underlying facts of nature, reality and causality. Well, one could argue that who's he to wage a war in the first place? But there's no denying the fact that he's gonna get hold of you once you start flipping the pages. The dude delivers razor blade insight into almost every law governing mankind in general at the age of 35.
And which is even more mind-blowing, Tolstoy somehow managed to write a book that is applicable to any living human being, its universal and no matter what part of the world you live, you still have a 100% reference in YOUR life to any event described in the book.
@@alexlalex5223 I know one more book that would apply to your life no matter what your situation currently be. And it is 7 times larger than tolstoy's "War and Peace". A book that could tell about how life happens, how wars are won, how is politics played, and how does society change. How do men become gods and gods become humans. How are countries made and how do they perish. How do differences in societies change over time. What is death and what is life? What is right and what is wrong. Yet, when you reach the end of the book, you are left with questions and more questions, but not answers.
Hey everyone! I’m Liubov, a Russian student studying the Literature and I have something to tell you about this ‘epic novel’ (in our schools and unis War and Peace is taught to be written in this genre). First of all, thank you, TEDed, for making such videos because every time I see people who reads such a novel (or at least tries to do it :)) I feel very proud of my culture. Also I’d like to give you a life hack: if you get puzzled by the really difficult relationship between the characters here, you can try to make a scheme with all the bonds that link the characters with each other. Have a nice day! 😉❤️
In the Soviet school, you were supposed to read it during summer vacation at an age of 15-16. I remember the literature lessons where we would retell the chapters. We would read the next chapter to retell before a lesson, and then while the first victim was retelling it, the whole class was secretely reading the following chapter, struggling the distraction from the reteller and waiting their destiny.
Probably the greatest book ive ever read along with Dostoievsky´s Brothers Karamazov and Cormac Mccarthy´s Blood Meridian, experiencing this book and finishing felt like an entire college history career and you get this profound sense of awe that you are witnessing a work of art.
when I was younger, I read W&P every year or two. no two readings were the same. now I usually wait a few more years in between readings. only once, I skipped all the battles. I've still got my original copy and I waited nearly a decade this time - half the joy now is the expectation 'what will I discover this time?' - W&P has never disappointed me. (I do this w/ a few of shakespeare's plays too, less consistently.) I did want to learn russian so I could read it in the original, but never found the right teacher (russians have a very different take on learning languages than I!
Same, I read the thing last year and thought it was amazing. Now I've read it again this year and it strikes me totally differently. There is just so much good stuff in it.
I have read War & Peace thrice. Once in school, once in college and then after college. Every time I felt I understood the characters better. First time, I was only interested about knowing how Andrei-Natasha-Pierre's love story evolves. The second time I was more interested in learning about Russian society and the contemporary history of that time. And the last time, I truly appreciated Tolstoy's writing style and understood why it is the greatest novel of all times.
I remember how my teacher made me read this book at school . But I was a teenager who wasn’t interested in literature at all. So I just read a short version of the masterpiece. Now I feel that I’m ready to read this book in entirely
@@anjanajnair not quite, I just started summer so I will have a lot more time to read, I was just super busy with school and volleyball stuff. its amazing though
A great video! It's a pity you missed one very important fact - "War and Peace" is in fact a wrong translation of the original Russian title of the book: "Voina i Mir". Have you noticed how there is nothing about "peace" in the book? That's because the Russian word "Mir" can mean two things - "peace" ... and "world". At Tolstoy's times, those two words were pronounced the same but written differently to help keep them apart. However, by the time first translations of the book were made, the distinction between the two written version had been dropped. So the first translators erroneously chose the wrong meaning of the word "Mir" and the error has been continuously perpetuated ever since. The real title "War and the world" makes much more sense, don't you think? :)
It is known that Tolstoy specifically meant *"peace"* not *"society"*. At his time, the words had different spelling in Russian: *"миръ"* =peace, *"міръ"*=world. Tolstoy used the first one. There is some argument about typos in the early editions, but Tolstoy also used very unambiguous french translation _"La guerre et la paix."_ which can only be translated as "War and peace." But you are right, the book is gloomy.
Not necessarily, interesting point but I don't thing your right, peace is also a very important aspect of в&м, and that is where a lot of the plot is centred around, life, prosperity, functioning in society, goals, personality, expectations, reality, death, anomie, etc
you are wrong. yes, in tolstoy's times the word 'mir' also meant 'world', but in a different way. 'world' was an equivalent to people, community. here's one example - 'на миру и смерть красна' (misfortunes are easier to bear when a person is with people who share a similar fate). when tolstoy sent his book to the publisher, the title was 'war and peace', but somebody misspelled it and the book was published as 'war and world' (= people). tolstoy accepted that and didn't argue about it
The legend is popular (even today!) yet totally incorrect. Tolstoy used the correct spelling for the meaning 'peace'. It is just nobody actually had a look into the original edition of 1869 (as well as multiple editions that followed).
i'll give you some info why many russians have a ptsd because of this book: - you have to read it in high school (16-18 y.o.) - you have one month to read it, along with other subjects and everyday life. oh, you also have exam of it - ppl have poor knowledge of that time period (thx, comies), so many feels odd in text - some important parts of a story are written in french, coz Tolstoy was aristocrat, and wrote it for aristicrats, and few if any modern reprints translate them to russian directly in text, most do it by small hints below main text, sometimes ignoring repeated prases, so you need to keep in mind also where it was translated. this is one of a biggest nails in coffin of will to read for many in post-soviet states
So im 15 , and last year , as my dad was packing some of his books , i found war and peace and asked him if the book was good. He laughed and told me that neither he or my mother could ever read more than one page, and im gonna tell you, that sounded like a challenge to me😂😂😂 sooner or later , i really fell in love with the book and would read it day to night. I finished it in the period of one month!! (Even imagine i took some big brakes in between so if i was counting days it would be around 15). Now as for the book. It is very very interesting as it really makes you leave the live of not one , not two , but many different personalities and you watch them grow in time. I was very touched by it really. It also makes some very interesting question about world and really made me started thinking more. I fully agree it is a must read!!! And if you feel you cant keep up with the names, try to put them in a sequence in your mind.(what i did was relating the names with the first time i heard about them and then with their personalities -which also helped with my memory) have a nice read!!
I'll tell you. On summer vacation I decided to finally read War and Peace. Even though it's enormous, almost infinite, it is the most interesting book I read so far. For real, the way how characters interact with each other always intrigues you. Especially when they meat each other in different places, just accidentally meet each other and they are connected to each other. I haven't felt feelings like this ever before He's a genius. It's my favourite book
I've read War and Peace twice - both times in my twenties. While I don't think I'll ever read it again, I always recommend it. However, as far as Russian literature goes, nothing compares to 'The Brothers Karamazov' by Dostoyevsky.
Who's Afraid of Erik Nørding? Do you think that I'd enjoy it (Brothers Karmazov) if I hated Crime and Punishment? I enjoy reading around the topic of free will, so I added this book into my amazon wish list some time ago, but after reading ' the double' and 'crime and punishment' I don't think Dostoyevsky suits my taste :(. For the record I enjoyed Bulgakovs 'Master and Margarita'. (Don't know if that's of any relevance :D)
Mikus Interesting question! The very first Russian work I read was Crime and Punishment and the second, by coincidence, just happened to be The Double. I liked C and P but didn't love it and equate its reputation to other books such as The Old Man And The Sea by Hemingway and 1984 by Orwell; meaning, I've never understood why these works are what is best known to their respective authors. I think the first part of The Double is genius but soon after I lost interest. To answer your question, I think if you were completely put off by C and P then you probably will not enjoy The Brothers K, despite it being a vastly superior work. However, it is one of the great works of literature and I would still recommend to you and anyone else give it a try. If you do have an interest in Russian lit., 'Fathers and Sons by Turgenev is a work that might be more up your alley.
Who's Afraid of Erik Nørding? I just found Rodion's behaviour frustrating :P. I might give Dostoyevsky one more chance, but it won't happen until I have read Mann's 'Dr Faustus'!
Why read it? Because it is brilliant. I admit I started it a few times and struggled to get past the first 100 pages because the storylines seemed to change - it wasn't linear. But when I finally got through those 100 pages (still good but a bit unconnected IMO), I was rewarded by its sheer magnitude and brilliance and humanity and insightfulness. His characters are so real - they are not caricatures like in most novels. My recommendation - persevere and you will be well rewarded.
You can't compare the emptiness of Rowling's writing style with Tolstoi. Harry Potter is nice for children to show them how easy it can be to read something. War and Peace is an adult piece of art to question your accumulated perception of life and history. A one-time completion of War and Peace can be equaled to over 5 times all novels of Rowling together in terms of focus needed.
Illidan Stormrage Remarkable rhetorical work, Illidan. This is what your mother hoped would develop out of her offspring. To help out your simple mind: Your initial mindset does not fit here - the book can't change that. When you have grown a pair, you are free to return and try another read.
I didn't see people complain about the serious style it was written in, but only about how big it is. So I am telling what is bigger. I personally like Russian writers.
War and Peace used to be a required reading for raising 9th graders in the Soviet Union (Dostoevsvkiy’s Crime and Punishment was part of a required reading for grade 8)). I reread it in my 40-s again and enjoyed it immensely. I’m glad we read and studied it back in school as it lets you dip into this level of literature and then you will always know the difference from “story telling” which is what is passed for literature everywhere now. If you haven’t read it, I strongly recommend it. Just start reading and you won’t be able to stop although I can’t imagine reading it in English. The BBC adaptation of it a couple of years ago was pretty good to my pleasant surprise despite them changing a lot of characters visually (compare to how Tolstoy describes them in the book), but they captured the spirit quite well.
I Have read War and Peace 13 times! I read it profusely in my early twenties, because it's such an enjoyable read. If big books daunt you, try associating characters with a familiar face you enjoyed seeing in famous movies. Prince Vasili - Patrick Stewart. "Captain Picard Next Gen" Pierre Buzukhov - a 20 something Mel Gibson "Lethal Weapon, Braveheart" Andrei Bolkonsky - Cary Elwes, "Princess Bride". Nikolia Rostov - 20 something Keanu Reeves - Dolokhov Rutger Hauer, "Blade Runner"
The narrator mistakes Pierre for Anatole. Natasha was in love with Anatole and Andrew at the same time. She conclusively started loving Pierre much later.
Bhuwan Chand : Natasha wasn't in love with Anatole, it was just minute infatuation bcs of boredom (as André was away), bcs she'd been very badly received by Prince Bolkonsky senior, André's father (who was against their marriage as his pride was enormous), bcs she was very only 17years old and Anatole seemed very charmin, and few other causes.
Natasha doesn't understand love upto where I've read the book so far. She confuses it with admiration and is more infatuated with the idea of it than the real thing. (I'm a third of the way in) very realistic characters like the epic voiceover guy said.
@@yeanahman2823 Natasha truly loved Andrei, but what did he expect leaving a young unexperienced in love girl FOR A YEAR without answering any letters. She even thought that he will never marry her.
My suggestion, if you intend to read it only once, is to learn all the names of the main characters before you start. Everyone has several names, eg, proper, official, familiar, nicknames, pet names, etc. I would find myself reading about a character for some time before I realized it was someone I'd already been introduced to. After finishing the book the first time, I immediately started reading it a second time, because now I knew everyone, and enjoyed it even more. Also, if you're reading an English translation, they are not all created equal.. in my opinion. For instance, Constance Garnett is good, but feels very Anglicized. My favorites are Maude, Briggs, and Pevear & Volokhonsky, in that order. This book will profoundly change how you see yourself, humanity, and the world. Also, each time you read it, there will be new lessons and revelations that you didn't notice in previous readings.
Still the greatest book I’ve ever read. I read the entire tome in about a month because of how enthralled I was with the characters and the narrative. Thought I was going to have to slog my way through it. Couldn’t have been further from the truth.
In Russian the name of the book is "Voina i mir". "Mir" means "peace" but also "world". Years ago when I studied russian our professor said that the word "mir" in the context of the book meant what in France is called "Le Monde" "The World" or more precisely people who are important like the aristocracy. He said the actually the book should be named "War and aristocracy". If you think about the book it is about war and the aristocracy.
No, it's not. Your professor is wrong. In pre-revolutionary Russian language there were two words "mir" - мир (piece) and мiръ (world). The original had the first option - мир. This was explained to me by my teacher of Russian language and literature in college.
@@ИнИс-щ8д , the original title of the book when it was published in 1869 was "Война и миръ" that is, it used the form that meant "the World". If you care to look at the Wikipedia entry about "War and peace" you will find there a picture of the title page of the 1869 First edition of the book.
@@tombrunila2695 You do not see the difference between "мИр" and "мiръ"? If you add "ъ" to the word мир, this will not change the meaning of the word. In Russian, it was customary to put "ъ" at the end, but the Soviets changed the rules of the language.
I'm currently reading this book. I'm on Part 1 Ch. 2! It's really good! If it confuses you, read the chapter, then read a summary online. Hope that helps!
I'm reading War and Peace right now, and loving it. The quality of the writing, the characters, the dialogue, the historical sweep which dovetail perfectly with the detailed personal lives of so many fascinating characters..... I've read many classics but for my part, this is looking like the perfect novel. Yes, it's a big read, but once you've engaged with it then you don't want it to end - it's not a mere novel, it's a journey,multiple journeys, a morality tale, a mixture of fascinating tales of love, war and tragedy.....while you're reading this book, you constantly gasp at this author's genius.... Highly recommended
I bought this book before the pandemic in Paris, at the Dôme des invalides. I haven't finished it yet but after like 400 pages this masterpiece finally managed to enchant me
Finally starting it tonight, and I’m so excited. I have had such high expectations of it, that I’ve had hundreds of books I planned on reading beforehand. But I realized that as that list keeps growing and growing, if I don’t just throw my hands up and finally deep dive into it, then I’ll never read it. So excited for this. If I can finish in about three weeks, I’ll be satisfied.
I read war and peace in high school in six days. The book seemed quite interesting at that time, because I was used to reading religious epics before that. It left a deep impression on me and moulded my personality a bit. My favourite character is Count Bezhukov. Now I am 32 and will read it again and other works of Tolstoy too. Also have the goals of reading up Dostovesky, an unparalleled genius.
I only have 48 pages left to read. What a truly magnificent book by an extraordinary writer. The book blurs the lines somewhat at times, because the world and real events are portrayed so accurately. That you feel like these characters lived through the period. They are so well developed and flawed characters. I can see why Tolstoy didn’t class it as a novel though, because it is more of an experience than anything. From deep philosophical themes to the futility of war and man’s influence on historical events. You really feel like you know the countless characters in the book and you can feel their joy, pain, sorrow, ecstasy and experience their peaks and valleys. I loved it and was surprised at how easy it was to read, especially after the first 100 pages. I can’t believe how quickly I read it. Well I haven’t completed just yet. I still have those final 48 pages. For me, War and Peace is right up their with Crime and Punishment.
@@IndiDaddiii Hahaha, trust me it is deceptively easy to get through once you get into the flow and rhythm of it. It’s arguably my favorite book of all-time. Russian literature is just so deep and unique.
@giants2k8 I am surprised that you responded. And yes, Russian literature is magnificently eccentric. Currently, I am thinking of reading Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky. These types of books have some strange charm. Do you know any more of these books?
@@IndiDaddiii You should most definitely read Crime and Punishment, it is a superb novel and a master class. The themes of nihilism, conscience and free will, guilt and morality are unlike anything else tbh. I’d recommend The Brothers Karamazov, Anna Karenina, The Master and Margarita, Dead Souls, Doctor Zhivago, Heart of a Dog and A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Russian literature explores a wide array of different themes and they are just so profound.
@giants2k8 yep, Russian literature is gloom yet rejuvenating. As in a dark and drab room, an extinguished candle seeking burning tears of pain to light up. A prison where wisdom lurks but futility conjures the minds in illusions of materials. Exploring rawest human emotions and blatant bold truths of fake world without a facade. Definitely, I have read some of these and will certainly read your suggestions. Thanks
After finishing this I believe that the last 100 and the first 100 are the most important. There is no plot which to follow which makes the book very hard to swallow down, yet I learned very much from it. I have no regret in reading it and enjoyed the parts about the bear. It can be fascinating how some things never change, for example, in the book one gentleman sits outside a window two stories up and chugs vodka for a bet and climbs back in the building. Thank you for reading my opinion on War and Peace. - 13yr old who read this simply for a challenge and to prove many a person wrong that this book could not be read by a 13 yr old and could not be read in under 30 days.
I really enjoyed the book and didn't find it boring at all. The characters and situations are very realistic. And the questions discussed in the book are relevant to this day. (Sorry for my english, i'm from Russia).
Всегда приятно видеть становление России всё более светской страной :-) хотя бы на примере того, что люди становятся более восприимчивыми к контенту на международном языке.
Kalmaved , кажется, что эти вещи не имеют прямой связи, ведь светское государство - это отделение гос-ва от церкви и отсутствие гос. религии, при этом доля знающих иностранный язык может быть вполне велика.
Современному читателю будет очень трудно понять «Войну и мир». Надо много знать об эпохе, о культуре и об истории, чтобы начать отличать вкрапления исторических событий от вымысла автора. Без комментариев знающих людей даже мы с вами, соратники, полностью теряемся в тексте, потому что попадаем в непонятный мир. Что уж говорить о наших англоязычных коллегах. Я не стесняюсь признаться, что понял очень и очень мало, потому что плохо знаком с тем миром, который описывает Толстой. Мне не понятны мотивы, мировоззрение персонажей и отношение автора к происходящему. Я живу в 21 веке, моюсь каждый день и не понимаю, почему Толстому не по нраву, что Наполеон мылся и следил за собой. Запомнилась одна интересная мысль: быстрой связи не было, и военачальнику тех времён приходилось работать с устаревшей информацией. Интересная головоломка - по обрывочным запаздывающим донесениям достроить в голове модель происходящего, спрогнозировать события и отдать команды, которые повысят исход сражения. Разумеется, интересно это до тех пор, пока не вспомнишь, что речь идёт не о математической задаче, а о людях, погибающих в страшных муках непонятно за что. Наверняка понимающий человек откроет в романе что-то увлекательное. Я же скучал, считал страницы до конца и хотел, чтобы этот туман скорее прошёл. Если вы плохо знакомы с историей начала 19 века и мало знаете об обычиях тех времён, не мучайте себя этим трудом. И главное! Толстой - не историк. Эта работа - вольная интерпретация автора в угоду художественному замыслу, а не точное описание того, что произошло.
I started reading War and Peace 37 years ago when I was in Sierra Leone. I didn't complete because I had to return to Ghana. I started it again a month ago . Am 60% done and should complete it this time. Phenomenal work.
@@pawelpawlowin95 there's so much psychology involved, after reading it, it changed the way I see the world and myself. I can say that I am a different person now. It was like rediscovering myself.
Although one wonders if War and Peace would have been as highly acclaimed as it was, had it been published under its original title War, What Is It Good For.
The most incredible writing,, just ask yourself if you could in fact write conversations between people, such genius, and at the same time reveal a story, with intricate characters and intrigue as well as human nature… true genius, absolutely loved this book.. and will probably re read it. As I am certain to have missed many a nuance
Correction: The Decembrists revolted against the conservative Tsar Nicholas I in 1825, not Tsar Nicholas II.
Yeah, that kept me a bit confused there!
Reupload it please.
That got me counting on my figures..
a common mistake, as Nicholas II's is far well known and thus people will generally associate revolution in Russia to his name *ehm* the February & October rebolution
TED-Ed is there public access to the original 1200 page version of War and Peace? Because the scale of what he was writing sounds like it could be converted into a video game.
Reading a book like this is similar to entering a relationship; it requires commitment.
very well said
Pretty much the second real book I'm about to read (I only listen to audio books). I'm on page 7 and I'm starting to realize what I got myself into.
And mutual consent.
@Stiltzkin Vanserine Hah! Quite true.
I know a girl who read it 3 times
These "why you should read" videos are great because they're like trailers to books. I've only ever heard "War and Peace" used as an idiom
Bell Maximus Cattus in Russia it is a must to read 'War and Peace‘ at school
@Bell Maximus Cattus plenty of people have time you just have to dedicate yourself to it, use those six hours and read and then the next day read for one or two just find time you would be doing nothing or say even before bed, instead of social media just read for a while.
@Bell Maximus Cattus is there a video about communist propaganda in hollywood? gonna look
@@eminemilly how does Tolstoy must read rule in Russian schools relevant to communist propoganda or any kind of propoganda? And how is Tolstoy related to communist at all? Sure you are a person who use War and Pease as an idiom.
Bruh tolstoy is a famous writer
I was able to read it when I stopped trying to remember how every character related to every other character and just enjoyed the ride.
Mood
Lol
We all give up sooner or later...
Seriously. I don't even always care figuring out who is actually who. Think of it as a painting, or a dance. Yet, sometimes Tolstoy writes 25 pages for something that could be said in one sentence, it's just more fun that way.
Exactly how I am reading it
"War and Peace" is easy to read. It's made up of many short chapters like little stories that add up so that reading it is like eating peanuts...once you start, you can't stop. I loved every minute of it.
I HAVEN'T READ IT YET SOUND'S LIKE A GOOD BOOK
Best book I have ever read, to pull all these individual stories together is a masterpiece.
The last Epilogue was a waste. It wasn't part of the novel.
I think all Tolstoy’s works are easy to read. I’ve only read one, “The death of Ivan Ilych” just 60 pages long, I couldn’t stop until I finished. Nothing shook me more about death than that book!
I’m trying. The first part was hard. Like some of Dostoyevsky’s novels, I couldn’t comprehend the cares of the aristocracy. I found it easier to relate to in later parts.
"... and if its length intimidates you, just imagine how poor Tolstoy felt.."
Poor Tolstoy? Poor his wife, Sofia, who rewrote about 8 (if i'm not mistaken) variations of "War and Peace" BY HAND! 8 times!
Also they had 13 children and she did take an active part in raising them)
Love the novel, btw)
@Edward HARRISON [13M3] His wife was Sophia Tolstoya, and his sister was actually Mariya Tolstoya.
I’m sure she was very intimidated by it’s length. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
He also abused her heavily and made her give birth all the time. He was a tyrant, a horrible man. You can see his misogyny in his books too. He makes women useless side characters who would rather forgive their husbands for cheating or crazy Anna Karenina-like main characters.
@@AA-np5tj yes he was a horrible person, i agree with that. I wouldn't say that his women characters are that simple,though. I find them rather complex and sometimes actually very interesting (like Maria Bolklnskaya, for example).
life was slower at that time, i think she was ok and happy
My Russian literature teacher once said: “War and peace should be read at least twice in your life. The first time is at school for the general development and study of the history of Russia. The second time is when you are at a conscious age (30-40 years old). Exactly the second time you will understand the genius of Leo Tolstoy's thought".
exactly. Being much older than 30-40, I've re-read it and now understand why it is considered the greatest novel ever written
❤🙏
Interesting!
I'm 79 and just starting to read the book that I have intended to read for years.
Do you think I will live long enough to finish it?
@@jimw.4161yes, if you have 3-4 hours in day. I have read all toms through 2 months, it easy to read
@@user-cr2yx6ky4y
Thank you for your encouragement. 👍
I am slogging my way through Tolstoy's masterpiece and have been amply rewarded for my efforts.
War and Peace is a remarkable book and should be on everyone's reading list at some point in their lives.
I just started reading War and Peace a couple of weeks ago. I love these coincidences, when something that's just happening in my life is talked about on youtube. Feels good, I don't really know why though.
Big brother is watching
Baader Meinhof phenomenon :3
Not a coincidence
Your FBI agent cares about you
haha same I'm on Part 2...what a massive book! :-)
Publisher: How many pages you want to write?
Tolstoy: Yes.
How many pages does the book have ?
lol the publisher was paying tolstoy 75 silver rubles for 1 page and obviously tolstoy was interested in writing as much as possible
Da normie, literally
@@richardnascaw1237 800+
@@richardnascaw1237 1400
I don't know why every time i read Russian Literature ( Famous ones) , I always get a sense of profound emptiness inside me , a sense of awe, mixed with sadness. It makes me question our society, our culture, our humanity. These kind of books change who you are, enriching the mind with thoughts. Forces me to think critically and understand why Karl Marx's communism got so popular in Russia, why people would want such classless society. Russian people had gone through a lot in the past couple of centuries. From Bangladesh.
Edit: Typing error.
They committed suicide by taking up communism.
@@rohith3898 we comitted suicide taking up capitalism
Mateus Costa nope 2 centuries of capitalism past and we are still alive, but communism didn’t make it to our days :(
Mateus Costa and I hope never makes
@@travoltik communism never happened, se had leninism, stalinism, maoism, chavism and other "tentatives" spoiled by autoritarian leaders, dictators. Whilst capitalism survives on the cost of many lives, and time to time we have some kind of crisis (1929,1970,1980,2008,2014, and now), capitalism is literally slavery on makeup
Being Russian feels kinda cool when you listen to how another people tries to say our names and words with their ascent such as "Yasnaya polyana" and "Tolstoy". But " Decembers" is very clever adaptation of "Decabrists". Like!
На самом деле нам крупно повезло что мы можем прочесть это все в оригинале, ровным счётом как их книги могут утратить часть шарма в многочисленных переводах
"Special military operation and peace" by Leo Tolstoy
@@M43782 тонко
@@M43782 "special military operation and national betrayal" will be more accurate
Decemberists.
This category of videos is basically one of the best ones. you should do "Why should you read" more often :)
Yes! Wholeheartedly agree :)
Yes!
@@swarnimasingh1598 tune pari yeh kitaab?
I know a person who is your doppler ganger
@@waqarjilani6538 tune parhni kya?
At the end, I had become so attached to the story and characters that when I finished it, it felt like I had lost someone very dear to me. To me, it's the greatest book ever written.
I felt the same way when I finished Les Misérables. I actually cried from the loss. These books are larger-than-life, and you feel it.
And I can only make a 1 page essay
double space, 12 font?
Rochana Samarasinghe double space, 14 font comic sans, 2 inch margins XD
I can barely write a single paragraph...
THE UNDERGROUNDER i can't even think of a good topic to write about.
i ca
I spent my time living near Verona, Italy with _War and Peace_ in my possession. Although I did not finish it before I returned home, I had made an impressionable dent. As I like to have reading material on long flights, I had kept it in my bag. Due to its sheer volume, when it was being scanned at the Verona airport, the attendant grabbed my attention and asked if she could look at it. The look on her face gradually turned to dismay as she flipped through the pages of the paperback tome. As she returned the libram, the outcome of the transpired events reached me; unfortunately for her pride, _War and Peace_ contained neither white powder nor contraband.
_War and Peace_ is just a very big book.
I love your comment for some reason
Your choice of light reading during flight is really strange.....
You write your comments like you read your books
You sound really pretentious.
It’ has been actually read by all the 9th graders in Soviet schools, only one of the long list of summer reading…
I don't have time to read.
*continuing scrolling YT for hours*
and how can he tell the whole story, without the story of big bang
haha
Good one 😂😂
And how can he tell the story about big bang, without the story of Queen Elisabeth causing it.
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking is just a prequel to War and Peace
Tehleel Mir haha
You must be kidding! Bought this book just two days ago, two days! And now, this video. Definitely, I have to read it!
bacchusstyle You bought it 2 days ago and still didn't read it yet? wft?
John Cena It was not the only one book I bought two days ago. Usually, shorter books first and longer at the final. Since War and Peace have 1300 pages...
bacchusstyle Oh okay. That makes sense :D
I bought this book 7 years ago, definitely have to read it! I'll start... tomorrow ;)
Arominit Then John Cena's first comment definitely was for you!
So many books, so little time to read. :(
you must have more time now lol
@@RaphyJmusic oh yes, plenty!
One should have enough time to read 1000 books before 30
this comment aged poorly
@@efrainpiracon9843 I have ADHD and I felt attacked by your comment.
I'm 14 years old, halfway through it, and have only been reading it for a month. I made it my goal this year to finish before 2022, and I am absolutely determined to do it. I believe I can and will. I made it my goal because I had no idea what it was about, but it was so commonly talked about, yet I did not know more than 2 people who had read it before. I can honestly tell you that so far it is the best book I have ever read (and I do read quite a lot). What is more important to me than anything else about the book is Tolstoys immaculate way of describing characters. It is so deep and profound, and it has opened a window into viewing the ways others see things, and it is stunningly beautiful.
Good luck and have fun reading it!
Are you sticking with it? It is on my reading “ bucket list”. At 63 l suppose l should get started 🤓😷💉💉🇨🇦
OmStars same, I'm hoping to finish it by Thanksgiving.
Did you finish it ??
Did you do it bro? I'm 15 and thinking about reading it after the art of war
am not much of a reader, so it took me 18 months to read War & Peace. It was worth it. A vicarious experience through 4-5 characters. Initially I thought it was gonna be a book old people read, but you'd surprised how all the 5 Point of View characters are young & how deeply you can relate to it as a youngster. Never judge this book by its 'Classic' tag. It is surprisingly Progressive despite being called as a Classic.
I have to read it in 1 month for a school project😬
@@zaraal-laleh6937 watch War and Peace (2016) & read the abridged version
YESSSSS im 14 and reading it. Only been reading for a month but im about halfway through. Lmao I wanted to challenge myself but its honestly so amazing that its just a joy to read at this point (though it can be quite dull in the war parts sometimes)
@@youtubecommentor1338 I read the whole thing in 2 weeks.
"a wholesome experience"
I mean, sure, literally... but...
If it had dragons, everyone would be all over it
Right? It sounds like a real-world Russian Game of Thrones
But it does have dragons. French dragons of the imperial guard as heavy cavalry :)) And they reach Moscow. And then there is a lot of ice and fire drama :)
@@adrianmpopa
Send in the Guard
Nah... No need to over complicate it. Just make an manga or anime series based around it and make the women waifus and the guys anime protagonist and the weeaboos will pour in.
@eizhowa Not need to overcomplicate it. Just make the girls like waifus and the guys anime protagonist and the weeaboos will pour in.
Stop reading the comments and actually start reading the book.
Its size is the most discouraging thing about it
E no
Make me😆
Ugh ok fine
When using an audio book with the book in hand it's not so intimidating. For some reason the mind doesn't view such tasks as a mountain so large when it doesn't have to do all the work on its own.
man when they sang "It's a complicated Russian novel" they weren't kidding.
Is this the program we were supposed to check out?
...Why do I find it's actually a somewhat easy read?? :o Seriously, background of history study may be of service here, but also - what? Knowledge about "the truth" of wars, bereft of propaganda? Life experience? A non-atheist approach to life/the world/people/the universe? A slight clue about the russian mentality? Possible.
everyone's got 9 different names!
so look it up in your programmmm
We'd appreciate it, thanks a lot
I should totally read this book. I've read "Anna Karenina" by Tolstoy and I've been so fascinated by his style of writing. There's something so deep and heart touching at the Russian books that I can't find at the others. I wish I had more free time to read "War and peace". I'm sure it's a masterpiece.
Russian authors have a very interesting take on humanity as a whole. They delve into the human psyche deeper than any other. Anna Karenina is the perfect example of how much you can hate the deeds of a person but completely understand the circumstances in which they were done. Dostoevsky and Nabokov are two other wonderful writers.
TheHarabeli100 is
I really do suggest all of Tolstoy's books. It's fascinating how he viewed the world. There has also been many great TV shows, musicals, and other books even based on his works. I suggest Dave Malloy's "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812" after reading War and Peace.
Anna Karenina is a marvelous book, but War and Peace is an over verbose, dull and, tbh, at least 8 times longer than it needs to be. Anyone who tells your how great it is is either:
A- an incredibly boring person whose idea of extreme sport is stamp collecting, or (and far more likely!)
B- has never actually READ the damn thing, and is just a pretentious BS merchant.
My advice would be to find something more interesting to do for the month or four it will take you to read( depending on whether you have a job or not!)
I don't think you should worry about it's size at all if you read "Anna Karenina". "War and Peace" is only 1.5 times longer than "Anna Karenina". Reading with an average speed, you'll only need 20 hours to finish "Anna'" and 30 hours to finish "W&P". That's 10 and 15 days respectively if you read 2 hours a day before sleep (this calculation that Google gave me seems about right - I did finish W&P in two weeks). People really exaggerate the size of the book, it's 2 times shorter than the "Harry Potter" series that so many have read (and a lot of them more than once). It's only a little bit longer than "Lord of the Rings". It takes much less time than watching "The Game of Thrones".
One of my favorite quotes from the old MTV show Daria was when the english teacher asked her "now why do you think Tolstoy had to make War and Peace so darn... unpleasant?" to which the titular character replied, "So they wouldn't pester him to make a sequel?"
LiviotheDoubleFang god I Loved that show.
"He had wanted to write a short novel"
Me: hah, he said short
Rather than thinking how Tolstoy felt I want to see how his wife felt... She had to copy that monster of a book seven times by hand, so he could do corrections on it...
what else do you need wives for if you don't have a typewriter..
Though, she didn't complain about it. Sofia Andreevna really appreciated work of her husband. By the way, the first versions of "War and Peace" was much shorter than the final variant. She wanted to become writer by herself, but she also was happy to help her husband.
I don't refuse that Tolstoy might be cruel to her, but he respect her and never cheated. It was a hard marriage for both of them
@@mrOL100 This was a necessary measure. Tolstoy severely injured his hand, which made his handwriting incredibly difficult to read. Only Sofya Andreevna could do this
Cant believe that I finally read this masterpiece. About to finish it for the second time. Just like we watch some of our favorite films over and over again, similarly reading now for the second time opened many doors that were missed in the first.
The sheer magnanimity of the world depicted by Count Tolstoy is breathtaking. Its sort of a crash course to everything one could think of. Of life and death, love and hatred, courage and fear, greed and generosity, and finally war and peace.
This beautiful work demands attention and respect and in return would give you an insight that has the power to shake your soul. It celebrates life and its intricacies like no other written work.
Tolstoy with this masterpiece seems to wage a war with the learned men of ages indefinitely. Whether it's a historian, scholar, king, kingmaker, guardian of reason or religion, he doesn't spare anyone who's not looking deep into underlying facts of nature, reality and causality. Well, one could argue that who's he to wage a war in the first place? But there's no denying the fact that he's gonna get hold of you once you start flipping the pages.
The dude delivers razor blade insight into almost every law governing mankind in general at the age of 35.
And which is even more mind-blowing, Tolstoy somehow managed to write a book that is applicable to any living human being, its universal and no matter what part of the world you live, you still have a 100% reference in YOUR life to any event described in the book.
@@alexlalex5223 True! Its universal & timeless
@@alexlalex5223 I know one more book that would apply to your life no matter what your situation currently be. And it is 7 times larger than tolstoy's "War and Peace".
A book that could tell about how life happens, how wars are won, how is politics played, and how does society change. How do men become gods and gods become humans. How are countries made and how do they perish. How do differences in societies change over time. What is death and what is life? What is right and what is wrong.
Yet, when you reach the end of the book, you are left with questions and more questions, but not answers.
@@hh-zm9gr What's the book?
he should have started from Adam and eave
Rofl
lijo jose The big bang
lijo jose HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I thought the book was based upon real historical figures with fictional ones mixed in, not the other way around?
There's already a book for that.
i cannot describe how much i LOVE russian literature
Молодец!👍
Hey everyone! I’m Liubov, a Russian student studying the Literature and I have something to tell you about this ‘epic novel’ (in our schools and unis War and Peace is taught to be written in this genre). First of all, thank you, TEDed, for making such videos because every time I see people who reads such a novel (or at least tries to do it :)) I feel very proud of my culture. Also I’d like to give you a life hack: if you get puzzled by the really difficult relationship between the characters here, you can try to make a scheme with all the bonds that link the characters with each other.
Have a nice day! 😉❤️
In the Soviet school, you were supposed to read it during summer vacation at an age of 15-16. I remember the literature lessons where we would retell the chapters. We would read the next chapter to retell before a lesson, and then while the first victim was retelling it, the whole class was secretely reading the following chapter, struggling the distraction from the reteller and waiting their destiny.
haha that sounds so harsh but it makes me laugh at what kids would come up with
Here, he look more like Rasputin than Tolstoy
Hima Talha ++
😄😄😄
Snarky Edmonton Cyclist It's such a shame how he carried on.
oh those Russians...
Russia's greatest love machine
I finished it today, and let me tell you, it's totally worth it.
Javier marias your face tomorrow
@@nekhlioudovbolkonsky2901 Don Quixote, obviously.
Probably the greatest book ive ever read along with Dostoievsky´s Brothers Karamazov and Cormac Mccarthy´s Blood Meridian, experiencing this book and finishing felt like an entire college history career and you get this profound sense of awe that you are witnessing a work of art.
when I was younger, I read W&P every year or two. no two readings were the same. now I usually wait a few more years in between readings. only once, I skipped all the battles. I've still got my original copy and I waited nearly a decade this time - half the joy now is the expectation 'what will I discover this time?' - W&P has never disappointed me. (I do this w/ a few of shakespeare's plays too, less consistently.) I did want to learn russian so I could read it in the original, but never found the right teacher (russians have a very different take on learning languages than I!
Same, I read the thing last year and thought it was amazing. Now I've read it again this year and it strikes me totally differently. There is just so much good stuff in it.
A classy man
I re-read classics at well! You really do notice different things each time ;)
I can teach you Russian if you would like :)
@@user-yf5qw3kb2r very sweet of you to offer!
Thanks for the great video! I've just finished 'War and Peace' and it totally overwhelmed me! The best experience which I've ever had!
How much time does it take
@@9888565407 Years.
@@kamiljimenez272 You've read it?
@@zahidaakhter6440 It was kidding. Not exactly, but I have a friend that take it months D:
@@9888565407 it took me abt two weeks of almost non-stop reading but I'm Russian so maybe it's easier for me
I have read War & Peace thrice. Once in school, once in college and then after college. Every time I felt I understood the characters better. First time, I was only interested about knowing how Andrei-Natasha-Pierre's love story evolves. The second time I was more interested in learning about Russian society and the contemporary history of that time. And the last time, I truly appreciated Tolstoy's writing style and understood why it is the greatest novel of all times.
"In trying to understand his own times, he had become immersed in the years piled up behind him".
I remember how my teacher made me read this book at school . But I was a teenager who wasn’t interested in literature at all. So I just read a short version of the masterpiece. Now I feel that I’m ready to read this book in entirely
Good girl!☝🏼
Hehe and im a 14 year old reading it of my own accord (Im about half-way through, don't you dare doubt that I will finish)
@@moirarusaw9567 did you finish it?
@@anjanajnair not quite, I just started summer so I will have a lot more time to read, I was just super busy with school and volleyball stuff. its amazing though
Do not waste your time,I read it ,and it isn’t worth the time,I was falling asleep all the time
I love how the Great Comet of 1812 is just casually playing in the background
What song was this?
@@messupd it sounds a bit like prologue at some parts i'm honestly not sure.
the song in the background isn't from the great comet at all, but i will say it does sound a little like the intro to 'letters' at some points.
A great video! It's a pity you missed one very important fact - "War and Peace" is in fact a wrong translation of the original Russian title of the book: "Voina i Mir". Have you noticed how there is nothing about "peace" in the book? That's because the Russian word "Mir" can mean two things - "peace" ... and "world". At Tolstoy's times, those two words were pronounced the same but written differently to help keep them apart. However, by the time first translations of the book were made, the distinction between the two written version had been dropped. So the first translators erroneously chose the wrong meaning of the word "Mir" and the error has been continuously perpetuated ever since. The real title "War and the world" makes much more sense, don't you think? :)
It is known that Tolstoy specifically meant *"peace"* not *"society"*. At his time, the words had different spelling in Russian: *"миръ"* =peace, *"міръ"*=world. Tolstoy used the first one. There is some argument about typos in the early editions, but Tolstoy also used very unambiguous french translation _"La guerre et la paix."_ which can only be translated as "War and peace." But you are right, the book is gloomy.
Yes, because Russia is the embodiment of peace in our increasingly turbulent times.
Not necessarily, interesting point but I don't thing your right, peace is also a very important aspect of в&м, and that is where a lot of the plot is centred around, life, prosperity, functioning in society, goals, personality, expectations, reality, death, anomie, etc
you are wrong. yes, in tolstoy's times the word 'mir' also meant 'world', but in a different way. 'world' was an equivalent to people, community. here's one example - 'на миру и смерть красна' (misfortunes are easier to bear when a person is with people who share a similar fate). when tolstoy sent his book to the publisher, the title was 'war and peace', but somebody misspelled it and the book was published as 'war and world' (= people). tolstoy accepted that and didn't argue about it
The legend is popular (even today!) yet totally incorrect.
Tolstoy used the correct spelling for the meaning 'peace'.
It is just nobody actually had a look into the original edition of 1869 (as well as multiple editions that followed).
i'll give you some info why many russians have a ptsd because of this book:
- you have to read it in high school (16-18 y.o.)
- you have one month to read it, along with other subjects and everyday life. oh, you also have exam of it
- ppl have poor knowledge of that time period (thx, comies), so many feels odd in text
- some important parts of a story are written in french, coz Tolstoy was aristocrat, and wrote it for aristicrats, and few if any modern reprints translate them to russian directly in text, most do it by small hints below main text, sometimes ignoring repeated prases, so you need to keep in mind also where it was translated.
this is one of a biggest nails in coffin of will to read for many in post-soviet states
So im 15 , and last year , as my dad was packing some of his books , i found war and peace and asked him if the book was good. He laughed and told me that neither he or my mother could ever read more than one page, and im gonna tell you, that sounded like a challenge to me😂😂😂 sooner or later , i really fell in love with the book and would read it day to night. I finished it in the period of one month!! (Even imagine i took some big brakes in between so if i was counting days it would be around 15). Now as for the book. It is very very interesting as it really makes you leave the live of not one , not two , but many different personalities and you watch them grow in time. I was very touched by it really. It also makes some very interesting question about world and really made me started thinking more. I fully agree it is a must read!!! And if you feel you cant keep up with the names, try to put them in a sequence in your mind.(what i did was relating the names with the first time i heard about them and then with their personalities -which also helped with my memory) have a nice read!!
Anna Karenina is my favorite book ever but War and Peace is almost as good. It helps me through hard times.
watched this video partly due to my obsession to natasha, pierre and the great comet of 1812 musical but i will now totally read this book
Natasha falls in love with every one. She broke poor andrew heart
Sir Comsatteur There's a war going on out there, somewhere...
aND ANDREY ISN'T HEEERRREEEE-
I was waiting for this comment
Honestly same
I'll tell you. On summer vacation I decided to finally read War and Peace. Even though it's enormous, almost infinite, it is the most interesting book I read so far. For real, the way how characters interact with each other always intrigues you. Especially when they meat each other in different places, just accidentally meet each other and they are connected to each other. I haven't felt feelings like this ever before
He's a genius. It's my favourite book
*meet
@@astrumdeus7098 Yep, thanks
I've read War and Peace twice - both times in my twenties. While I don't think I'll ever read it again, I always recommend it. However, as far as Russian literature goes, nothing compares to 'The Brothers Karamazov' by Dostoyevsky.
no I read them both and for me Tolstoi feels much smoother to read than Dostojevski
Now we know what your particular opinion is.
Who's Afraid of Erik Nørding? Do you think that I'd enjoy it (Brothers Karmazov) if I hated Crime and Punishment?
I enjoy reading around the topic of free will, so I added this book into my amazon wish list some time ago, but after reading ' the double' and 'crime and punishment' I don't think Dostoyevsky suits my taste :(.
For the record I enjoyed Bulgakovs 'Master and Margarita'. (Don't know if that's of any relevance :D)
Mikus Interesting question! The very first Russian work I read was Crime and Punishment and the second, by coincidence, just happened to be The Double. I liked C and P but didn't love it and equate its reputation to other books such as The Old Man And The Sea by Hemingway and 1984 by Orwell; meaning, I've never understood why these works are what is best known to their respective authors. I think the first part of The Double is genius but soon after I lost interest.
To answer your question, I think if you were completely put off by C and P then you probably will not enjoy The Brothers K, despite it being a vastly superior work. However, it is one of the great works of literature and I would still recommend to you and anyone else give it a try. If you do have an interest in Russian lit., 'Fathers and Sons by Turgenev is a work that might be more up your alley.
Who's Afraid of Erik Nørding? I just found Rodion's behaviour frustrating :P. I might give Dostoyevsky one more chance, but it won't happen until I have read Mann's 'Dr Faustus'!
It was in my school’s summer recommended literature list and i read all 4 volumes when i was 15. It was the only book i read during that summer.
I love War and Peace! I have read it entirely twice; parts of it several times. One of my favorites 😊
Why read it? Because it is brilliant. I admit I started it a few times and struggled to get past the first 100 pages because the storylines seemed to change - it wasn't linear. But when I finally got through those 100 pages (still good but a bit unconnected IMO), I was rewarded by its sheer magnitude and brilliance and humanity and insightfulness. His characters are so real - they are not caricatures like in most novels. My recommendation - persevere and you will be well rewarded.
The first 7 Harry Potter books have over a million words, while War and Peace is around half a million. ;) So go read it, its not that big.
You can't compare the emptiness of Rowling's writing style with Tolstoi.
Harry Potter is nice for children to show them how easy it can be to read something. War and Peace is an adult piece of art to question your accumulated perception of life and history.
A one-time completion of War and Peace can be equaled to over 5 times all novels of Rowling together in terms of focus needed.
Illidan Stormrage
Remarkable rhetorical work, Illidan. This is what your mother hoped would develop out of her offspring.
To help out your simple mind: Your initial mindset does not fit here - the book can't change that.
When you have grown a pair, you are free to return and try another read.
I didn't see people complain about the serious style it was written in, but only about how big it is. So I am telling what is bigger. I personally like Russian writers.
PopoSimTalia those are different words though ahah
There are only seven Harry Potter books. _The Cursed Attempt to Capitalize off the Success of the Harry Potter Franchise_ is a play.
I've seen this video, do I still need to read War and Peace?
Spooksandooks watch the mini series
Spooksandooks are you kidding?
Yes you should read it.
Damn.
Omkar Paropkari why would you think otherwise
I ve read this book 4 times, new feelings every time,
How long did it take you?
what a legend
I think she is in her 5th time now, will take time to respond.
And here I am can't even understand Alice adventure in the wonderland lol
Now try the Bible.
War and Peace used to be a required reading for raising 9th graders in the Soviet Union (Dostoevsvkiy’s Crime and Punishment was part of a required reading for grade 8)). I reread it in my 40-s again and enjoyed it immensely. I’m glad we read and studied it back in school as it lets you dip into this level of literature and then you will always know the difference from “story telling” which is what is passed for literature everywhere now. If you haven’t read it, I strongly recommend it. Just start reading and you won’t be able to stop although I can’t imagine reading it in English. The BBC adaptation of it a couple of years ago was pretty good to my pleasant surprise despite them changing a lot of characters visually (compare to how Tolstoy describes them in the book), but they captured the spirit quite well.
I Have read War and Peace 13 times! I read it profusely in my early twenties, because it's such an enjoyable read. If big books daunt you, try associating characters with a familiar face you enjoyed seeing in famous movies. Prince Vasili - Patrick Stewart. "Captain Picard Next Gen"
Pierre Buzukhov - a 20 something Mel Gibson "Lethal Weapon, Braveheart"
Andrei Bolkonsky - Cary Elwes, "Princess Bride".
Nikolia Rostov - 20 something Keanu Reeves
- Dolokhov Rutger Hauer, "Blade Runner"
The narrator mistakes Pierre for Anatole. Natasha was in love with Anatole and Andrew at the same time. She conclusively started loving Pierre much later.
Bhuwan Chand She fell in love with the guy who got friendzoned lol
Bhuwan Chand : Natasha wasn't in love with Anatole, it was just minute infatuation bcs of boredom (as André was away), bcs she'd been very badly received by Prince Bolkonsky senior, André's father (who was against their marriage as his pride was enormous), bcs she was very only 17years old and Anatole seemed very charmin, and few other causes.
@@milamilavich8417 Thats what love is, if its logical and calculated it aint it.
Natasha doesn't understand love upto where I've read the book so far. She confuses it with admiration and is more infatuated with the idea of it than the real thing. (I'm a third of the way in) very realistic characters like the epic voiceover guy said.
@@yeanahman2823 Natasha truly loved Andrei, but what did he expect leaving a young unexperienced in love girl FOR A YEAR without answering any letters. She even thought that he will never marry her.
i loved this channel the narrator is very good
My suggestion, if you intend to read it only once, is to learn all the names of the main characters before you start. Everyone has several names, eg, proper, official, familiar, nicknames, pet names, etc. I would find myself reading about a character for some time before I realized it was someone I'd already been introduced to. After finishing the book the first time, I immediately started reading it a second time, because now I knew everyone, and enjoyed it even more. Also, if you're reading an English translation, they are not all created equal.. in my opinion. For instance, Constance Garnett is good, but feels very Anglicized. My favorites are Maude, Briggs, and Pevear & Volokhonsky, in that order. This book will profoundly change how you see yourself, humanity, and the world. Also, each time you read it, there will be new lessons and revelations that you didn't notice in previous readings.
I just finished reading it and it was a friggin' spiritual experience! It takes a lot of patience but it is so worth the time!
Partiality thanks to this video (and a bit of The Great Comet of 1812) I begun reading War and Peace. It’s great! I do recommend!
Still the greatest book I’ve ever read. I read the entire tome in about a month because of how enthralled I was with the characters and the narrative.
Thought I was going to have to slog my way through it. Couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Учитывая сколько за день мы читаем комментариев - Эта книга не такая уж и большая)
I'm about to finish Volume II of War and Peace. The book is THRILLING! I can't stop reading!
Вот это он прочитал: "Ясная поляна". Incredible)
The stress was off, but he's got the spirit alright)
2:29 Look at the cocktail. I love how they care for the smallest details like the refraction of light
In Russian the name of the book is "Voina i mir". "Mir" means "peace" but also "world". Years ago when I studied russian our professor said that the word "mir" in the context of the book meant what in France is called "Le Monde" "The World" or more precisely people who are important like the aristocracy. He said the actually the book should be named "War and aristocracy". If you think about the book it is about war and the aristocracy.
War and society. That will be right
No, it's not. Your professor is wrong. In pre-revolutionary Russian language there were two words "mir" - мир (piece) and мiръ (world). The original had the first option - мир. This was explained to me by my teacher of Russian language and literature in college.
@@ИнИс-щ8д , the original title of the book when it was published in 1869 was "Война и миръ" that is, it used the form that meant "the World". If you care to look at the Wikipedia entry about "War and peace" you will find there a picture of the title page of the 1869 First edition of the book.
@@tombrunila2695 You do not see the difference between "мИр" and "мiръ"? If you add "ъ" to the word мир, this will not change the meaning of the word. In Russian, it was customary to put "ъ" at the end, but the Soviets changed the rules of the language.
The piano in this video is so soothing, does anyone have the name of the music?
I am not sure but I think the first one is My Country by the Red Army.
Replying also for the same reason
.
Carl Wright same
After a long search, I found it!
It's darude-sandstorm
I'm currently reading this book. I'm on Part 1 Ch. 2! It's really good! If it confuses you, read the chapter, then read a summary online. Hope that helps!
I just want to read it because of Natasha, Pierre and the great comet of 1812
Erica Stevens Same
Erica Stevens relatable
Tbh
NATASHAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaa 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Have I missed something? What is it?
UPD: oh, I see, sounds nice 😀
This series 'Why You Should Read' is an amazing initiative. Thanks a lot TED-Ed.
"Ясная поляна" прозвучало забавно его устами )
Ударение не там поставили. яснАя
Rrock Cj, ох уш энти иносранцы )
ага
Там еще и "поляна" прочитали по-польски, перепутав букву L с Ł
minus1, Зачем так на ровном месте обижать?
These types of books is something I’ve always wanted to read, a mix between small groups of people interacting and living in major historical moments
You should read War and Peace because it's a great story. All the other stuff is a bonus that makes it the greatest novel of all time.
I'm reading War and Peace right now, and loving it. The quality of the writing, the characters, the dialogue, the historical sweep which dovetail perfectly with the detailed personal lives of so many fascinating characters..... I've read many classics but for my part, this is looking like the perfect novel.
Yes, it's a big read, but once you've engaged with it then you don't want it to end - it's not a mere novel, it's a journey,multiple journeys, a morality tale, a mixture of fascinating tales of love, war and tragedy.....while you're reading this book, you constantly gasp at this author's genius.... Highly recommended
As a Russian I've read this in original, trust me, you can pick up Russian girls with this book, just say "I've read War and Peace"
Боюсь не склеишь так уже)
Да, современных девушек так точно не склеишь ты прав)
And boys too 🌈
Danil Kron lol
no you can't. Everyone reads it in school.
I bought this book before the pandemic in Paris, at the Dôme des invalides. I haven't finished it yet but after like 400 pages this masterpiece finally managed to enchant me
Finally starting it tonight, and I’m so excited. I have had such high expectations of it, that I’ve had hundreds of books I planned on reading beforehand. But I realized that as that list keeps growing and growing, if I don’t just throw my hands up and finally deep dive into it, then I’ll never read it. So excited for this. If I can finish in about three weeks, I’ll be satisfied.
Finally able to come back to my comment and say I finished it!!! I LOVED it so much. I expect to be re-reading it every year for the rest of my life
Who translated the book you were reading?
I read war and peace in high school in six days. The book seemed quite interesting at that time, because I was used to reading religious epics before that. It left a deep impression on me and moulded my personality a bit. My favourite character is Count Bezhukov. Now I am 32 and will read it again and other works of Tolstoy too. Also have the goals of reading up Dostovesky, an unparalleled genius.
Stares at War & Peace on the book shelf.
"Don't look at me like that!"
Hahaha
Tolstoy immersed himself in his and Russia's past and gave literary master piece. Not many can keep pondering into past without going into depression.
Why should he have gone into depression?
I was considering reading this after falling in love with the masterpiece that is Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812. Now I definitely will!
you’re gonna love it ;D
I only have 48 pages left to read. What a truly magnificent book by an extraordinary writer.
The book blurs the lines somewhat at times, because the world and real events are portrayed so accurately. That you feel like these characters lived through the period. They are so well developed and flawed characters.
I can see why Tolstoy didn’t class it as a novel though, because it is more of an experience than anything. From deep philosophical themes to the futility of war and man’s influence on historical events.
You really feel like you know the countless characters in the book and you can feel their joy, pain, sorrow, ecstasy and experience their peaks and valleys.
I loved it and was surprised at how easy it was to read, especially after the first 100 pages. I can’t believe how quickly I read it. Well I haven’t completed just yet. I still have those final 48 pages.
For me, War and Peace is right up their with Crime and Punishment.
How many decades exactly did it take you to complete your reading of War and Peace?
@@IndiDaddiii Hahaha, trust me it is deceptively easy to get through once you get into the flow and rhythm of it. It’s arguably my favorite book of all-time. Russian literature is just so deep and unique.
@giants2k8 I am surprised that you responded.
And yes, Russian literature is magnificently eccentric. Currently, I am thinking of reading Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky. These types of books have some strange charm. Do you know any more of these books?
@@IndiDaddiii You should most definitely read Crime and Punishment, it is a superb novel and a master class. The themes of nihilism, conscience and free will, guilt and morality are unlike anything else tbh.
I’d recommend The Brothers Karamazov, Anna Karenina, The Master and Margarita, Dead Souls, Doctor Zhivago, Heart of a Dog and A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Russian literature explores a wide array of different themes and they are just so profound.
@giants2k8 yep, Russian literature is gloom yet rejuvenating. As in a dark and drab room, an extinguished candle seeking burning tears of pain to light up.
A prison where wisdom lurks but futility conjures the minds in illusions of materials. Exploring rawest human emotions and blatant bold truths of fake world without a facade.
Definitely, I have read some of these and will certainly read your suggestions. Thanks
I remember seeing this book when I was six in the public library and thinking how many years would it take to finish
I finished IT a week and the differences are like 50-40 pages!
1. Get Maude Translation and 2. print out a list of characters to refer to as you read (they all have 3 names). Great book.
I'm gonna read this massive book today. I'll come back after I finish it
Greatest novel ever, read it three times, will eagerly read it again.
there was a mini series made on BBC and it was very good
Brandon Hernandez I saw it too
Brandon Hernandez can i watch it here in youtube
It's the mini series that got me interested to read the book 🙂
It's only available on Netflix or DVD right now- It only came out last year!
any one know the name?
Imagine if Tolstoy had Twitter. Only Trump can match his productivity.
Even then...
By the way, he had a very curious diary with short notes. It's almost like... Twitter?
@@t.d.3090 yep
What about Stephen King? lol
@@andreakoeries7230 nope he's too busy writing his 700 pages weekly novel.
After finishing this I believe that the last 100 and the first 100 are the most important. There is no plot which to follow which makes the book very hard to swallow down, yet I learned very much from it. I have no regret in reading it and enjoyed the parts about the bear. It can be fascinating how some things never change, for example, in the book one gentleman sits outside a window two stories up and chugs vodka for a bet and climbs back in the building. Thank you for reading my opinion on War and Peace.
- 13yr old who read this simply for a challenge and to prove many a person wrong that this book could not be read by a 13 yr old and could not be read in under 30 days.
War & Peace is a must read. A foundational book to understanding Elites, War, Money, and the people.
I really enjoyed the book and didn't find it boring at all. The characters and situations are very realistic. And the questions discussed in the book are relevant to this day. (Sorry for my english, i'm from Russia).
Думаю здесь много рускоязычных)
Всегда приятно видеть становление России всё более светской страной :-) хотя бы на примере того, что люди становятся более восприимчивыми к контенту на международном языке.
Глобализация радует с:
Kalmaved , кажется, что эти вещи не имеют прямой связи, ведь светское государство - это отделение гос-ва от церкви и отсутствие гос. религии, при этом доля знающих иностранный язык может быть вполне велика.
*Medved4tube*, согласен, неправильно употребил слово :-) имел в виду «не замкнутой на себе».
Современному читателю будет очень трудно понять «Войну и мир». Надо много знать об эпохе, о культуре и об истории, чтобы начать отличать вкрапления исторических событий от вымысла автора. Без комментариев знающих людей даже мы с вами, соратники, полностью теряемся в тексте, потому что попадаем в непонятный мир. Что уж говорить о наших англоязычных коллегах. Я не стесняюсь признаться, что понял очень и очень мало, потому что плохо знаком с тем миром, который описывает Толстой. Мне не понятны мотивы, мировоззрение персонажей и отношение автора к происходящему. Я живу в 21 веке, моюсь каждый день и не понимаю, почему Толстому не по нраву, что Наполеон мылся и следил за собой. Запомнилась одна интересная мысль: быстрой связи не было, и военачальнику тех времён приходилось работать с устаревшей информацией. Интересная головоломка - по обрывочным запаздывающим донесениям достроить в голове модель происходящего, спрогнозировать события и отдать команды, которые повысят исход сражения. Разумеется, интересно это до тех пор, пока не вспомнишь, что речь идёт не о математической задаче, а о людях, погибающих в страшных муках непонятно за что.
Наверняка понимающий человек откроет в романе что-то увлекательное. Я же скучал, считал страницы до конца и хотел, чтобы этот туман скорее прошёл. Если вы плохо знакомы с историей начала 19 века и мало знаете об обычиях тех времён, не мучайте себя этим трудом. И главное! Толстой - не историк. Эта работа - вольная интерпретация автора в угоду художественному замыслу, а не точное описание того, что произошло.
"The pen is mightier than the sword - especially when the pen turns into a gun." Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1839
I started reading War and Peace 37 years ago when I was in Sierra Leone. I didn't complete because I had to return to Ghana.
I started it again a month ago . Am 60% done and should complete it this time.
Phenomenal work.
OMG excellent result!! I have been reading this book for about 3 weeks
This book literally changed my life for real .
How??
@@pawelpawlowin95 there's so much psychology involved, after reading it, it changed the way I see the world and myself. I can say that I am a different person now. It was like rediscovering myself.
No main characters? What about Andrei Bolkonsky, Natasha Rostova and Pierre Bezukhov?
i think his mean is not only *one* main characters but i agree with u Andrei,Pierre,Natasha,Nikolai are main characters
Agreed
Have you read it? 🧐
@@pranjalbajpai885 Two times. Why? Now I'm reading Dumas. It is something wrong about reading?
Although one wonders if War and Peace would have been as highly acclaimed as it was, had it been published under its original title War, What Is It Good For.
Jonathan Davies hahahah hoping someone would say this
Jonathan Davies Ah, the Seinfeld joke. I've been waiting for this one.
now seinfield spines and shivers in the grave
"Absolutely Nuh-thaaan !"
Hahahahhaha
The most incredible writing,, just ask yourself if you could in fact write conversations between people, such genius, and at the same time reveal a story, with intricate characters and intrigue as well as human nature… true genius, absolutely loved this book.. and will probably re read it. As I am certain to have missed many a nuance