I read 500 pages of War and Peace and it ate my heart 💔 the Tolstoy Diaries ep. 2

TL;DR

A book club member shares their thoughts and emotions while reading Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

Transcript

do oh hello welcome back welcome to episode two of the tolstoy diaries featuring war and peace by leo tolstoy i'm so excited you're here i'm just so excited about this book this morning oh my goodness um if you have not seen if you have no idea what this is about i am part of a book club called the dickens versus tolstoy the great debate where we a... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫠 The reader expresses their love for learning languages and their excitement about reading War and Peace in Russian.
• ✍️ Tolstoy's writing style involves repetition and powerful descriptions to immerse the reader in the scenes.
• 🫱 The parallel between the battlefield and society highlights the interconnectedness of war and peace, as well as the insignificance of greatness.
• 🫱 The character development of Prince Andrei is significant, as he undergoes a transformation in his perspective on war and the pursuit of glory.
• 🛟 The emotional intensity of the book, as well as the exploration of themes like fate and the meaning of life, contribute to its impact on the reader.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the book club the individual is part of compare the works of Leo Tolstoy and Charles Dickens?

The individual mentions that the book club is focused on reading the works of both Tolstoy and Dickens, aiming to determine which author is considered the best. They express their personal preference for Tolstoy's work but acknowledge that it is subjective and open to personal interpretation.

Q: What is the significance of the parallel between the battlefield and society in War and Peace?

The individual discusses how Tolstoy draws parallels between the descriptions of the battlefield and the societal events, highlighting the similarities in the language and problems faced in both settings. This parallel reveals the interconnectedness of war and peace, as well as the insignificance of greatness in the face of tragedy.

Q: How does Prince Andrei's character develop throughout the book?

The individual initially finds Prince Andrei distant and moody but later grows to appreciate his character development. They discuss how Andrei's perspective on war changes after witnessing its horrors, and how he starts to question notions of glory and fame. His experiences lead to a deeper understanding of life and the realization of his own insignificance.

Q: What emotional reactions does the individual experience while reading War and Peace?

The individual shares multiple instances of crying while reading certain passages or scenes in the book. They express how powerful and impactful the writing is, evoking strong emotions within them. The individual also mentions feeling anxious while reading some of the intense war scenes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The content features a book club member's experience reading War and Peace as part of a book club comparing Leo Tolstoy and Charles Dickens.

• The individual shares their excitement for the book and their love for learning languages, mentioning their current focus on learning Russian.

• They discuss their general thoughts on the book, emphasizing the powerful scenes depicting war and the character development of Prince Andrei.

• The individual highlights the parallel between the battlefield and society, particularly in regards to the themes of fate and the insignificance of greatness.

• They express their emotional reaction to certain scenes, including crying while reading significant passages.