Who wrote War and Peace and when was it published?
Leo Tolstoy wrote War and Peace. He began writing in 1863, published an early version serially beginning in 1865, then rewrote the entire book and published it in full in 1869.
Questions about War and Peace
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is War and Peace about?
War and Peace chronicles the French invasion of Russia and its aftermath during the Napoleonic era. It follows five interlocking aristocratic families, the Bezukhovs, Bolkonskys, Rostovs, Kuragins, and Drubetskoys, and mixes fictional narrative with chapters of history and philosophy.
Why is some of War and Peace written in French?
Significant portions of dialogue in War and Peace are in French because French was the common language of the Russian aristocracy after Catherine the Great made it the language of her court. Only about two percent of the novel is in French, and its use diminishes as the book progresses.
Why did Tolstoy say War and Peace is not a novel?
Tolstoy said War and Peace is "not a novel, even less is it a poem, and still less a historical chronicle" because large sections, especially the later chapters, are philosophical discussions rather than narrative. He regarded Anna Karenina as his first true novel.
Who is the main character of War and Peace?
Pierre Bezukhov is the central character of War and Peace and often serves as a voice for Tolstoy's own beliefs and struggles. He is the socially awkward illegitimate son of a wealthy count who becomes socially desirable after an unexpected inheritance.
What does the epilogue of War and Peace argue about history?
The second part of the epilogue is Tolstoy's critique of mainstream history, attacking the Great Man Theory and arguing that great historical events are the result of many smaller events driven by thousands of individuals. He compared this summation to calculus and the sum of infinitesimals.
How many English translations of War and Peace are there?
War and Peace has been translated into English on several occasions, starting with Clara Bell working from a French translation in 1886. Later translators include Constance Garnett, Aylmer and Louise Maude, Ann Dunnigan, Anthony Briggs, and Richard Pevear with Larissa Volokhonsky.