War and Peace

War and Peace is a historical fiction novel by Russian author Leo Tolstoy that was first published between 1865 and 1869. The story charts the alliances and wars between Russia and France at the beginning of the 19th century, following the lives of characters swept along by historical events and examining key themes like Living a Meaningful Life, The Purpose of Suffering, and History and Free Will. Heralded as one of the most important novels in Russian and world literature, War and Peace is a literary classic and has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and more.

Multiply nominated for both the Nobel Peace Prize and the Nobel Literature Prize, Tolstoy is considered one of the fathers of Russian literature and widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of all time. His other works include Anna Karenina (1873-1877), The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1882-1886), and The Kreutzer Sonata (1887-1889). This guide uses the translation by Louise and Aylmer Maude, revised and edited by Amy Mandelker.

Plot Summary

In Saint Petersburg in 1805, rich people talk about Napoleon’s war in Western Europe. Several characters gather at a dinner party, including Pierre Bezukhov, the illegitimate son of a very wealthy man. Despite his awkward demeanor, he is intelligent and likable. Andrei Bolkonsky, an ambitious, clever young aristocrat, is an old friend of Pierre. Vasili Kuragin is a scheming nobleman who plots advantageous marriages for his children, the debauched and dashing Anatole and the beautiful but cold Helene.

The Rostov family moves in similar social circles. Its patriarch, Count Rostov, means well but is bad with money. Middle daughter Natasha Rostov is an enchanting teenager on the verge of womanhood. Eldest brother Nikolai Rostov is an impetuous young man who dreams of joining the army. Their orphaned cousin Sonya also lives with the Rostov family.

Napoleon’s French army invades Austria. Russia, Austria’s ally, sends troops to halt the invasion. Andrei and Nikolai are both sent to the front. Andrei is wounded and presumed dead, but he manages to survive the chaos and travels home.

In Moscow, Pierre’s father legitimizes Pierre as his heir and dies. Pierre inherits his father’s vast fortune and quickly becomes a very eligible bachelor. Vasili convinces him to marry Helene even though Pierre does not love Helene. Later, rumors abound that Helene is sleeping with another man. Pierre challenges the man, an experienced soldier named Dolokhov, to a duel. Against the odds, he wounds Dolokhov, but the victory does not satisfy him.

Andrei’s wife gives birth to a son while he is missing. He arrives home just in time to see her die in childbirth. His religious sister Marya helps raise the baby while Andrei goes into mourning. Searching for meaning in life, Pierre joins the Freemasons to learn about their beliefs and spirituality. When he applies the Freemasons’ teachings to the running of his estate, the results are disastrous. He meets with Andrei and talks about the matter but discovers that his old friend is now cold and distant.

The Rostovs struggle to maintain their fortune. Count Rostov spends more than he earns, and Nikolai accrues a huge gambling debt in a game of cards against Dolokhov. Nikolai’s family encourages him to marry a rich young woman, but he only thinks about the military. Also, he loves the penniless Sonya and feels obliged to marry her.

While with the army, Nikolai sees Tsar Alexander and is inspired by the monarch. Natasha grows into a beautiful young woman. She attracts a great deal of attention, including that of Andrei Bolkonsky. Andrei considers marrying Natasha, but his father refuses to give his approval. He insists that Andrei wait a year before the wedding. Natasha reluctantly accepts these terms while Andrei leaves to travel through Europe. Natasha pines for her fiancé.

Andrei’s father grows old and irritable. He takes out his anger on Marya, who turns to her Christian beliefs to forgive his behavior. Natasha, still missing Andrei, meets Anatole Kuragin. She is very attracted to him, and he hatches a plot to elope with her. The plan fails, and Anatole is chased out of the city.

Andrei returns from Europe. Disgusted by Natasha’s behavior, he rejects her. Pierre tries to console the heartbroken Natasha and falls in love with her. Natasha attempts suicide but survives and slowly recovers her health.

France invades Russia in 1812. Andrei returns to the military, while Pierre becomes obsessed with the idea of killing Napoleon. The French army marches through Russia toward Moscow, burning and looting everything in its path.

Marya pleads with her father to leave the family estate as the French army draws close. The shock of the situation kills him. Marya tries to flee, but the local serfs trap her. Nikolai Rostov passes through the area with his army unit and saves Marya. Romantic feelings develop between them.

The decimated Russian army fights back against the French but cannot restrain Napoleon’s forces for long. Even as the high society parties in Saint Petersburg continue, the French take Moscow and burn the evacuated city to the ground. However, lacking supplies and resources, the French army flees after five weeks. Pierre remains in Moscow to try to kill Napoleon. His wife arranges a divorce but dies before she can marry again.

Andrei is mortally wounded in a battle. The fleeing Rostov family discovers him, and Natasha refuses to leave his side. She nurses Andrei back to health. French soldiers capture Pierre and throw him in jail. As the French army retreats, he is forced to march with them. He witnesses numerous executions and considerable suffering on the long march through the harsh Russian winter.

Nikolai still feels committed to Sonya. He knows his family needs money, but he cannot abandon his promise to marry her, even though he has fallen in love with the wealthy Marya Bolkonsky. Sonya sends him a letter, freeing him from his promise. Marya goes to the Rostovs to see her dying brother. Andrei reconciles with Natasha and dies.

The Russian army chases the French. In one skirmish, they free Russian prisoners, including Pierre. On the same day, the young Petya Rostov is killed in the fighting. Pierre spends three months recovering from his experiences. He returns to Moscow and visits Marya and Natasha. Both women are mourning the deaths of Andrei and Petya. Pierre realizes his love for Natasha.

Eventually, with Marya’s help, Pierre and Natasha agree to marry. They have children and raise a family. Nikolai marries Marya and rebuilds his family fortune. He devotes himself to the careful management of his estates and becomes obsessed with his new responsibilities. Andrei’s orphaned son lives with Nikolai and his aunt Marya. As he grows older, he sees Pierre as a hero.

Pierre and Natasha visit Nikolai and Marya. The two families are close, even though Pierre and Nikolai disagree on political matters. The novel ends with the two families enjoying their newfound happiness.

In the last section of the novel, Tolstoy merges with his narrator as he explains his views about historiography. Breaking with the tradition of the time, he does not subscribe to the “great man” style of history—the idea that solitary exemplary individuals make most important historical events happen. Instead, as his novel takes pains to show, he believes that history is the result of many small, random coincidences that build up to influence whether, for example, a battle is won or lost. This randomness is the result of free will.