War and Peace
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War and Peace
Buy Now for £19.73
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Narrated by:
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Frederick Davidson
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By:
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Leo Tolstoy
Often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace is at once a historical war epic, a philosophical study, and a celebration of the Russian spirit.
Noted for its mastery of realistic detail and psychological analysis, War and Peace follows the metamorphosis of five aristocratic families against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. Individual stories interweave as each of Tolstoy’s memorable characters seek fulfillment, fall in love, make mistakes, and become scarred by war in different ways.
Out of this complex narrative emerges a profound examination of the individual’s place in the historical process.
Thomas Mann praised Tolstoy for his Homeric powers: “To be played upon by the animal keenness of this eye, the sheer power of this creative attack, the entirely clear and true greatness…of this epic, is to find one’s way home…to everything within us that is fundamental and sane.”
(P)1997 Blackstone Audio, Inc.Critic reviews
“There will not be a better recording of Tolstoy’s masterpiece for some time…The impressive dialog sparkles with humor and wit, and the vivid scenes of battle are riveting…Davidson’s exquisite narration heightens the perfection of this novel, regarded as one of the greatest in literature.”
(Library Journal (audio review))"[War and Peace] felt so specific to the world of Tolstoy’s creation but also to right now. What is living in the United States in 2020 but a society of people trying to disregard what is painful until it comes, in favor of thinking about what is pleasant?”
(Vox)“[A] complex plot, vivid characters, and profound insights into war and the nature of power.”
(Publishers Weekly)“There remains the greatest of all novelists—for what else can we call the author of War and Peace?”
(Virginia Woolf, English author of modernist literaturer)“If the world could write by itself, it would write like Tolstoy.”
(Isaak Babel, Russian author)The narrator is brilliant. Voices stay consistent throughout. Some reviews here criticise his plummy style but I think it fits the intrigues of Russian aristocracy very well.
Outstanding
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Would you be willing to try another book from Leo Tolstoy? Why or why not?
NO!Long winded doesn't even begin to describe it. I feel Mr Tolstoy fancied himself to be a bit of a philosopher. There are two epilogues! That go to over 4 hours! It's like a book on its own.The story itself is so long because there is so much needless fluff. I mean, you don't need a full paragraph just to say 'so and so went downstairs and went out the back door'!Would you listen to another book narrated by Frederick Davidson?
His narration is far from the best I've listened to. That said I wouldn't avoid listening to another book narrated by him.Any additional comments?
The story buried in with all the fluff is good and I did find myself caring about the main characters. It's just a shame the book felt like an ITV prime time show... Two hours of TV for 45 minutes of actual content. But, I can now say I've read/listened to an old, OLD classic.Mr Tolstoy clearly loved the sound of his voice!
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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
What a waste of my time and credits. I had great expectations of such a literary classic, however, they were not met by the delivery. Worse than a bored vicar on Sunday morning!Would you recommend War and Peace to your friends? Why or why not?
No. Just such poor deliveryWho might you have cast as narrator instead of Frederick Davidson?
Anyone who can read and intone correctly. Had the narrator read any sections?Do you think War and Peace needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
No, some stories are completeAny additional comments?
I didn't finish this, solely due to the poor delivery. It was a monotonous drone, with no intonation, no rises or falls. No soul.Dull delivery, dismal droning.
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The story was long with lots of highs and lows but overall brilliant
Interesting
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good
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