War and Peace is an epic work in every sense of this adjective. The author tells about the historical past of his country and does it on a grand scale and with the removal of the boundless Russian soul. Therefore, re-reading a volume or another before the lesson with all the desire does not work out - there will not be enough time. We have to be content only with summer reading. But it’s okay, a brief retelling of “War and Peace” for the reader’s diary from the Literaguru team comes to the aid of the students. Also offer concise and simple epic novel analysis to write a review. Enjoy reading!
Volume 1
The action of the novel begins in St. Petersburg, visiting Anna Pavlovna Scherer: there the nobles arrange their affairs, hiding behind flattering smiles, gossip and tricks are being walked there. After a secular evening, the naive and clumsy illegitimate heir to the wealthy count, Pierre, having plenty of fun with secular goldfinches, dwells with the noblemen of Bolkonski. There Bezukhov, together with his friend Andrei (an ambitious and noble officer), discusses military operations, including women. Pierre was expelled from Petersburg to Moscow for a brawl. Bezukhov lives with his father, walks and receives an invitation from the Rostovs. When Pierre arrived at the Rostovs, Napoleon and the course of the war began to be discussed at the table, the young man ardently praising the emperor of France. In the family event: son Nikolai leaves for service. He is escorted by his sister Natasha, a relative in love with him, Sonya and Boris Dubetskoy, the son of a friend of Countess Rostova.
Soon, Count Bezukhov dies, and it becomes incomprehensible from who exactly will inherit the wealth of his father. Everyone is fighting for him, Prince Kuragin nearly stole a will, he was prevented by Dubetskaya in order to win over the legal heir to his capital. Inheritance and the coming war are becoming important topics for discussion and gossip. Also, Andrei Bolkonsky and his wife came to the estate to his father to discuss military operations, and in order to leave his pregnant wife there, in order to go to war himself - to make a career.
Kutuzov equips and prepares the Russian army for campaigns. Andrey Bolkonsky is not satisfied with the army and offers his strategy with an attack plan. The first losses of Russian soldiers. The French inflicted great damage to the Russian army in the forest.
Pierre receives the inheritance of his father and, fascinated by the beauty of Helene, marries a vicious and prudent woman. Nikolai Rostov improbably talks about his campaigns, but feels the emperor’s pride, both for him and for the army as a whole. Napoleon was afraid of a general battle; in this regard, negotiations began between the military and commanders. For the sake of fame, Bolkonsky wanted to prove himself and almost died, calling people to attack. Soon the Russians lost in the battle of Austerlitz. Napoleon notices the wounded and praises him for his valor. But here the prince is disappointed in idol and war.
Volume 2
Nikolai Rostov returns from the army and leads an active lifestyle. Bezukhov receives a letter where he finds out about his wife’s infidelity. Dolokhov, Pierre’s friend and his wife’s lover, taunts the situation as a whole, and the deceived husband challenges him to a duel. Pierre Bezukhov wins the fight, but disappointed in love. Lisa gave birth to a son Bolkonsky, who was named Nikolai, and died. Rostov lost a lot of money to Dolokhov in cards. His family’s financial situation is critical.
Bezukhov meets in Torzhok a neighbor who claims that faith in God will make Pierre happy. The hero studies Freemasonry to find the meaning of life. Drubetskoy interested Helen, Bezukhov's wife, and became closer to her than he should. Andrei Bolkonsky realizes that his son is the only thing he has. Pierre convinces Andrei that happiness lies in life for other people. The course of hostilities is sad for the Russian army due to illness and hunger. Nikolai Rostov is disappointed, losing meaning in the war.
French and Russian troops are uniting. Andrey Bolkonsky agrees with the position of Bezukhov. Pierre is disappointed in the Freemasons and refuses to participate in this, after which he reconciles with his wife. Boris comes to Natasha Rostova, but she does not like her. On New Year's Eve, Pierre dances with Natasha. Andrei feels sympathy for Natasha Rostova, as she does for him. Bolkonsky often visits the Rostov estate, and Pierre is jealous of Natasha to a friend. Andrei Bolkonsky is going to marry her in a year, having told this to his father, who is asking for a postponement of the wedding, because he does not believe in the validity of this intention.
Rostovs stay in the village of Mikhailovka. Natasha is happy, her relatives notice. To correct the financial situation of the Rostovs, the Countess wants to marry Nikolai to Julie Kuraginoy, but he refuses, fascinated by his love for poor relative Sonya.
Old Bolkonsky is sure of Russia's loss due to interference in European affairs. The author describes the solitary life of this callous and rude old man with his ugly but kind daughter. Due to the fact that Bolkonsky’s sister is not happy with the marriage of Andrei and Natasha, Marya intends to prevent a future wedding. The acquaintance of the Bolkonsky with the Rostovs was unsuccessful, which is why Rostov becomes uneasy. Natasha clearly sympathizes with Anatoly Kuragin, who, out of self-interest, is looking for a rich wife. But he agrees to the love of a noble girl, not burdened with obligations. Kuragin's everything is going according to plan, he managed to get Natasha's love. Anatole intends to take the girl to the ends of the world. Natasha’s escape breaks. Her name is covered in shame because of this connection, the engagement is terminated. Pierre, learning about the affairs and arrival of Kuragin at the estate, expels him. Bezukhov, having seen the comet of 1812, understands the brewing of something terrifying.
Volume 3
Napoleon deceives the Emperor and sends his troops to Russia, believing that the war was launched by Alexander I. Kutuzov meets Andrei Bolkonsky and personally offers to take part in the battle against the Napoleonic army. At the beginning of the battle, the Russians attack the French. Natasha Rostova began depression because of her betrayal. The girl decided to attend church in order to become happy again, and also prays for the life of people to flourish. Bezukhov is eager to fight, and he manages to get to the front.
Residents of Smolensk burned the city in connection with the advance of the Napoleonic army, but the enemy army almost manages to get to Moscow. Andrei is trying to persuade his father to leave the family away from home, but the prince at first disagrees, then the older Bolkonsky comes to realize the impending threat, but, due to numerous blows, he dies. Mary feels the danger, but the peasants do not let the woman go to Moscow. Nikolai Rostov, having noticed a riot, frees and accompanies Marya, who takes care of her brother’s son. In Moscow, Napoleon’s offensive is indifferent. Bezukhov dwells at the scene of the attack and meets acquaintances. Everyone is nervous before the battle. During the battle, Napoleon did not see the war, but continuous killings, and the commander changes his mind about the battle. The Russians won the fight morally, but in fact both armies lost a lot of blood.
Kutuzov is forced to order the Russian army to retreat. Helene, in connection with his love for one foreigner, asks Pierre for a divorce. Upon arrival in Moscow, the hero learns about the death of Kuragin and the wound of Bolkonsky. He is destined to leave the city again due to accumulated problems. Rostov also left the besieged city, and Moscow should be surrendered to the French. Confused Bezukhov settled in the apartment of the freemason Bazdeev. A great fire happens. Bezukhov saved one Frenchman and became friends with him, and the Rostovs brought the mortally wounded Bolkonsky. The French arrested Bezukhov when he tried to prevent an attack on a woman and an old man.
Volume 4
Moscow belongs to the French. Kutuzov is hated, and Helen died from the misuse of drugs. Nikolai Rostov and Marya Bolkonskaya are going to get married, the couple finds out that Marya’s brother is alive. Bezukhov is not shot because of a common language with Marshal Davout. Marya Bolkonskaya gets acquainted with the Rostov family. This time the matchmaking is going well. Soon, Andrei Bolkonsky dies, having forgiven Natasha’s insult.
Napoleon wants to negotiate peace with the Russians, but Kutuzov refuses, and the Russian army is becoming stronger. The French flee from Moscow because of cold and hunger along the Smolensk road, where they burned everything for a long time. Pierre Bezukhov, while in captivity, rethought a lot of things after meeting a simple peasant - Platon Karataev. He shares with his master his simple and wise philosophy.
Denis Davydov assembled a partisan detachment in order to pull the remaining prisoners from the hands of the French. The detachment manages to pull out the hostages, among whom was Pierre Bezukhov.
Marya and Natasha are experiencing the deaths of people close to them: both brothers are dying. The Rostovs lost their youngest son, Peter, in the war. The exile of the French lasted long and tiring. After the liberation of Russia, Kutuzov was not accepted anywhere because of the inconsistency with the rules of the war. Soon, Pierre confesses his feelings to Natasha Rostova. The girl went to meet the gentleman, after regaining consciousness due to injuries.
Epilogue
The author tells about the personal lives of the heroes, about the wedding of Pierre Bezukhov with Natasha Rostova and Nikolai Rostov with Marya Bolkonskaya, not forgetting to mention the historical events after the end of the Great Patriotic War and the chain connecting the Rostovs, Bolkonskys and Bezukhovs.
