قصة الكتاب :
War and Peace is a novel by Russian author Leo Tolstoy, that was originally published serially, but later as a whole compilation in 1869. It is regarded as one of Tolstoy’s best literary achievements and remains a classic of world literature. Tolstoy hesitated in calling this work of his a novel. In fact, large parts of the book do appear to be philosophical discussions than pure narrative. The book remains the subject of rave reviews and has enthralled readers worldwide since its publication. Through his words, Tolstoy makes every reader vividly experience the story he has laid out. Originally published in Russian as Voyna i mir, this historical novel is an encompassing study of the 19th century Russian society and has been renowned for its exemplary level of detail as well as its psychological analyses.\r\n
\r\nThe novel details the events that took place before and during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 and the effect it had on Russian society. This is told through the lives of five aristocratic families - the Bezukhovs, the Bolkonskys, the Rostovs, the Kuragins, and the Drubetskoys. The book has produced three of the most well-known and memorable characters in literature: Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky and Natasha Rostov. Pierre is the illegitimate son of a rich count who is caught up in a dispute over his inheritance as well as his personal desire for fulfillment. Prince Andrei leaves his family behind to fight the war against Napoleon. Natasha is the beautiful, young daughter of a noblemen who both men are drawn towards. As the events unfold, Tolstoy brilliantly depicts how each character struggles with the events that are unique to their time, their history and culture. Several of the characters were based on real characters that Tolstoy knew and interacted with. In addition, several real-life characters like Napoleon and Prince Mikhail Kutuzov play important parts in the story. The novel also highlights a theory of history, of how one’s free will has limited power over what will inevitably unfold and how everything is ruled by historical determinism. \r\n
\r\nTolstoy was instrumental in bringing about a new edge to the novel. He wrote in detail not merely about events but as seamlessly about each character’s individual response to it. His use of visual detail in writing has often been compared to that employed in cinema, and while he was certainly not the only one who employed this new style of writing at the time, he proved to be a master at it. War and Peace has been translated into several languages and into English several times. It has been adapted into film and television and has inspired several stage performances. In War and Peace Tolstoy has entwined the grand themes of love and conflict, birth and death, free-will and fate to create a magnificent and unforgettable epic of human life.\r\n