War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of War and Peace
Book Review: classic
Summary: 5 Stars
This is obviously a classic book and in my opinion the translation is worthy of the book. It reads easily but does not lose the feel of the era. I think Tolstoy would be proud.Book Review: great book
Summary: 5 Stars
Well done with a few problems. I understand that aristocratic Russians of this time period spoke French and the servants could not and the `target audience' of Tolstoy at the time could. This however is the 21st century with a new translation; the French should have been very limited to the first few pages only. It is most distracting to be reading then hit the French phrase, find the right translation, then find your place back on the page and continue with the story. I do love the historical footnotes at the end of the book and feel that they would make better footnotes then the French translations.Book Review: save your money
Summary: 3 Stars
Sure, it is a good translation. But for someone who does not read Russian (or else why would I buy a translation?) or French, it really is disconcerting to read all the footnotes about the French; but more, this is an expensive book. It is hard for me to believe anyone who is going to read this hasn't already read the Constance Garnett translation. And while they differ, it isn't as if the Garnett is mediocre: it's terrific, and has held the field for a long time. For good reason.
So, I suggest you look at this new translation as an alternative; another way of seeing the novel; but it isn't exatly a new experience. It is being over-hyped; it is good; but worth the money? I'm not so sure.
Book Review: the very best
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book. Tolstoy is in a class by himself. And this translation is in a class by itself. My only regret is that the book is only 1220 pages. I could go on reading this kind of writing for the remainder of my life.