Horrible Pronounciation

This edition of the audiobook has the most horrendous pronunciation of the characters' names and other Russian words. Adding and mixing up letters. Do not recommend. Also, the narrator is pretty dry in his reading of the text.

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If a book could be under rated...

I feel like this is it. This book made me laugh and cry, from sadness and joy, as I am still periodically listening to certain excerpts that are speaking to my current emotional state in just a way that that leaves my mouth hanging open when they are finished. I see much of myself in Dolokhov, both the good and the bad and the rest of the characters are made to come to life. The way Countess Natalya's brother meets his end is described is mindblowing, down to the way the narrator makes the sound of the Kossack sharpening the sabre of Pyotr. Tolstoy places you right in the middle of the action. He is a genious.

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Brilliant, Much more then History and Romance

Shows an underlying understanding of psychology, theology, sociology and politics.
While the narration was otherwise very good it takes a bit of time to adjust to the women characters sounding like drag queens.

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Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant!!!

Truly, my headline says it all....a masterpiece! I had attempted to read this book on several occasions but life got in the way...having audible made it so much easier and I am soooo thankful because I would have missed the true piece of art...I sincerely believe everyone should read this book. Tolstoy has quickly become one of my favorite authors and this book, War and Peace, is a treasure.

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worth it

I just have three words to describe my experience: stick with it. You will be satisfied.

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an abridged version would have been lovely

I really enjoyed the drama and love stories taking place during the Napolitano war, however, an abridged version might have been easier to get through. I really enjoy the narrator, great voice.

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It's not just Big, it's awesome!

I just finished reading War and Peace. I knew it was long, but I didn't know it was awesome!

If you like stories about the two lovers finally overcoming their own pride and prejudice, like you find in Jane Austen novels,
If you like stories where individuals are overcome by forces far bigger than themselves, like you find Thomas Hardy novels,
If you like the witty critique of human foibles and foolishness, like you find in Flannery O'Connor's stories,
If you like epic events carried out in fascinating, expansive and strange worlds like that found in Tolkien,
If you like incredibly written histories like those of William Manchester,
If you like the brilliant use of analogy in the critique of rationalism and historicism like you find in C. S. Lewis,

Then you will love War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. #Audible1

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18 people found this helpful

Be Prepared

Tolstoy's War and Peace is half historical fiction and half philosophical diatribe on the study and nature of history. The narrative portion is character driven, engaging, and overall enjoyable; however, the long philosophical meanderings often distract from the plot and deaden the overall pace of this already epic-length work. The second part of the epilogue being devoted entirely to these musings overshadows the characters' resolution and results in the book ending on a somewhat exhausted note.
That being said, the narration is the shining light that prevents the philosophical wandering from dissolving into absolute monotonous white noise.
It is, however, a classic.

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3 people found this helpful

Good story and reading.

The book is bit of a haul to sit through but worth the time.

Reader was wonderful.

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Fantastic book and performer

6/5 story and the speaker is very skilled at using accents and other techniques to enliven and differentiate the extremely large and varied cast. However, he seems to constantly be shifting back and forth in his seat. Five or six times a chapter he gets so quiet, for no known textual benefit I can think of, that it makes me think a phone call is preempting my listening. In a book with dozens of chapters for each of eight parts, it gives the lasting impression of inconsistent and distracting sound leveling by the producers. This doesn’t diminish the speaker in any way. This issue could have been caught in post production.

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5 people found this helpful