*oh, I didn’t expect War and Peace…

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy is set during the Napoleonic Wars and follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families. The main characters include Pierre Bezukhov, who inherits a fortune and seeks purpose; Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, a disillusioned nobleman who finds hope through love and war; and Natasha Rostova, a lively young woman whose romantic missteps lead to emotional growth.

The novel weaves personal stories with historical events, focusing on themes like the contrast between war and peace, the tension between fate and free will, and the search for spiritual meaning. Major battles like Borodino are vividly portrayed, emphasizing the unpredictability of history and human life.

In the epilogue, the main characters find peace and fulfillment in family life, though Tolstoy underscores the cyclical nature of history and the uncertainties that remain. War and Peace blends intimate personal narratives with philosophical reflections on history, power, and morality.