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War and Peace, Volume 2

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About this listen

War and Peace is one of the greatest monuments in world literature. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, it examines the relationship between the individual and the relentless march of history. Here are the universal themes of love and hate, ambition and despair, youth and age, expressed with a swirling vitality which makes the book as accessible today as it was when it was first published in 1869.

In addition it is, famously, one of the longest books in Western literature and therefore a remarkable challenge for any reader. Neville Jason read the abridged version of War and Peace and proved his marathon powers with his outstanding performance of Proust's Remembrance of Things Past. These make him the ideal narrator to essay Tolstoy's epic.

War and Peace was translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude.

© and (P) Naxos Rights International Classics Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Fiction War Russia

Critic reviews

" War and Peace presents us with a complete picture of human life; a complete picture of the Russia of those days; a complete historic picture of the struggle of nations; and a complete picture of the things in which men set their happiness and greatness, their sorrow and their shame." (A.V. Knowles, Tolstoy: The Critical Heritage)
"There remains the greatest of all novelists - for what else can we call the author of War and Peace?" (Virginia Woolf)
All stars
Most relevant
I'm sure that there are very many better and more detailed reviews of War and Peace, but for me this has been very much worth the time. The reading is simply superb and quite frankly leads you through it skilfully and carefully. The characters soon become well known and though the style is long ( hurry up and die will you) the story is highly entertaining and a deep insight into the time and culture. Go for it!

Truly Epic

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Would you consider the audio edition of War and Peace, Volume 2 to be better than the print version?

They're both good to use, I went between both.

What did you like best about this story?

The author occasionally stopped to analyse what was going on and talk about its place in history.

What does Neville Jason bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The narrator reads very very slowly so i had to alter the speed, 1.5x made it normal reading speed but i put it to 2x sometimes too as it was still understandable but a little quicker.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were some moments that really made me think, about people, war and history.

Any additional comments?

Just to say again that you might need to speed the book up when you listen to it because the narration is very slow.

Thank god you can alter the narration speed!

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What made the experience of listening to War and Peace, Volume 2 the most enjoyable?

both volumes absolutely enchanting. Would listen again.
The narrating immediately engages, which is essential given the complexity of thedtory and its length.
I will listen to this again.

absorbing listen.

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I'd always wanted to read War and Peace but the book has sat on my shelf for 20 years untouched. finally Audible has allowed me to do it and it was no chore but an absolute pleasure.

wonderful story, beautiful narration

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Impeccable performance, narration and animation of all characters male, female, young and old. Despite the length of book, I stayed tuned in throughout.

excellent narrator

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