Ten thousand manuscript pages (these are 6-7 copies of the Bible stacked on one another), another 60 pages of typewritten text of rough drafts and unreleased passages, a complex historical period of 15 years, more than 500 characters, most of which are drawn in great detail, described in detail ... And all this for six years of continuous painstaking work. Thus was born the brilliant work of Leo Tolstoy - the book "War and Peace."
The work was not written in one go. The author manually rewrote the novel eight times. A fragmented episodes were reworked more than a dozen times. And although Tolstoy himself did not really like his brainchild, War and Peace is a novel that received world recognition shortly after its publication. And today it has already been translated into 40 languages.
Who wrote War and Peace?
The answer, containing only the name and surname of the author, will be dull and, frankly, uninformative. After all, it is much more interesting to lift the veil of secrecy of the personality of a writer who, during his lifetime, was recognized as a great writer and philosopher not only in his own country, but also far beyond its borders.
In this regard, one curious fact cannot be ignored - the influence of Tolstoy's creativity on the young Mohandas Gandhi, who later became the inspirer and leader of the Indian independence movement from the British Empire. Tolstoy’s position regarding the inappropriateness of combating evil through violence found a response in the heart of a young Indian. And years later, he was able to translate this idea into reality.
Interesting little-known facts
Lev Nikolaevich was a very gambler. The one who wrote “War and Peace”, where there is a memorable scene in which Nikolai Rostov loses a lot of money in cards, once lost the main building of his estate. Moreover, the new owner was not too lazy to disassemble the structure and take it to his estate.
And Tolstoy founded his own religion. His followers actively tried to carry it to the masses of ordinary people. The basic tenets of the teachings were forgiveness, refusal of any kind of war (up to refusal to perform military service) and moral improvement.
Count Tolstoy himself actually strove to lead a simple life. He refused copyright (this is the first time in history), did not accept the Nobel Prize, and generally stated that he hated money. And indeed, in the photographs that have survived to this day, the image of a simple Russian peasant rather than a refined representative of the nobility is visible.
The birth of the idea of the famous work
It all started small. Just three years before the birth of the one who wrote War and Peace, an outstanding Decembrist uprising took place . Lev Nikolaevich, who came from a noble family, literally grew up in stories about these events.
Years passed. Some participants in the failed coup were allowed to return to their homes. And Tolstoy is planning to write a story about the return of the Decembrist family from exile. According to his plan, it should have been Pierre and Natasha Bezukhov. Today they are well known to us as the heroes of the novel "War and Peace."
However, reflections on the fate of the Decembrists are increasingly taking the writer during the time of the uprising. And at the same time, many questions arise: what prompted young people to such a desperate decision? What were the prerequisites for a coup in public life? How was the character of future Decembrists formed?
Moving along these strings, Tolstoy is more and more immersed in history and stops at the period of the war between Russia and Napoleon.
Work on the novel
The historical canvas, which stitch by stitch brought to the pages of his novel, Leo Tolstoy, really deserves admiration. It is by no means a kind of blurred background, against which the game of the main characters is developing. Rather, historical events carry away with their powerful stream of heroes, forcing them to act in one way or another.
Penetration into the inner world of the formation of the characters of their characters is what L. Tolstoy wanted to achieve. “War and peace” is a description of a large-scale historical anvil, under the blows of which weak characters break down, and strong ones take on a new form and purpose.
Pierre Bezukhov
The author worked on this character especially carefully. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” fully reveals the formation of the character of the future Decembrist. He goes through many trials, especially difficult emotionally, is faced with betrayal and injustice. However, what was most important for the writer, does not lose faith in the ability to change the existing order.
Appearing in the first chapters as a clumsy young man, he then appears as a person too easily succumbed to any influence. At first it’s even surprising that it connects such a person with Andrei Bolkonsky.
Then the reader begins to involuntarily sympathize with the sincerity of this young man. With the development of the plot of the novel, we are increasingly becoming attached to Pierre and begin to empathize with him. From a nearby bumpkin he turns into a person with firm principles. And although he continues to search for his place in life, he can no longer be called easily influenced.
The idyllic end of the ordeals of Pierre Bezukhov looks even somewhat unusual for Tolstoy, always pessimistic. However, do not forget that the author intended to bring the story to rebellion, exile and subsequent return. In addition, the novel "War and Peace" was written by Tolstoy during a happy period in the writer's family life. And his mood could not but be reflected in the book itself.
Natasha Rostova
Young Natasha is the center of positive energy irresistibly beating straight from the depths of the heart. She is cheerful and direct. And often we observe moments when it would seem more decent to cover up this immediacy with appropriate manners. However, youths tend to go to extremes, and the heroes of the novel “War and Peace” therefore appear before us so real and alive that we see their real emotions.
However, later frivolity played a cruel joke with her when, being the bride of Prince Bolkonsky, once so desired, Natasha accepts the courtship of Anatol Kuragin and agrees to flee the country with him. But this same sincerity allows Natasha Rostova to maintain the true purity of her soul throughout her life. She encourages her to sympathize and help others. Moreover, the estate for Natasha does not matter. The episode, when she, without hesitation, gives in carts for transporting the wounded, is a vivid confirmation of this.
Andrey Bolkonsky
This character is the embodiment of calm and prudence. Perhaps it seems boring to some, but his inner world is no less rich than that of Pierre Bezukhov.
Andrey is balanced and purposeful. Yes, like other goodies of this work, its goals change throughout the story. However, each time, having determined his desires and priorities, he acts decisively and specifically.
The young prince Bolkonsky is very restrained in the manifestation of his feelings. However, if we recall the character of his father, it becomes clear that he simply could not be otherwise. And the one who wrote “War and Peace” knew this very well. After all, the prototype of Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky was the native grandfather of Leo Tolstoy. And he perfectly understood the conditions under which his hero grew. In childhood, adolescence, and in adulthood, Andrei, driven by reverence for his father, had to be silent and keep his emotions deep inside. Although this did not prevent him from having his own opinion.
At first, we see Andrei Bolkonsky as a very ambitious officer. However, after the memorable battle near Austerlitz, the system of its values changes radically. Andrew seeks to return to his family and catch up, but life orders it differently - his wife dies during childbirth.
The next major turn in his life was a meeting with Natasha Rostova. He saw in it what was hidden inside - not just outward naivety and immediacy, but the original purity of a kind and sympathetic heart. All the worse for him was the blow that the bride's infidelity inflicted on him.
True to his philosophy of forgiveness, Tolstoy puts this virtue in Andrew's death. His forgiveness is not just a tribute to church dogma. The author describes it, rather, as the enlightenment of the soul. This is a sincere and all-consuming feeling that gives real peace.
Nikolay Rostov
Another positive character. He is simple and open, loyal and honest. And this is far from his complete description. “War and Peace” is a novel in which Tolstoy tried to reflect all social classes. And Nikolai Rostov in this context is the representative of the best that the author saw in officers and ordinary soldiers.
Sonia
A girl who was initially pushed into the shadows by her position in society and the plot of the novel. However, if you bother to take a closer look at it, then instead of a modest little gray mouse we will see a truly strong nature, not able to betray the trust of those close to her for the sake of personal happiness.
War and Peace is a novel worth reading
"War and Peace" Tolstoy repeatedly filmed. The film was first released in 1913. Talented directors undertook this work, world-famous stars took part in the paintings. Admittedly, the results were impressive.
The latest film adaptation appeared in 2007. This is a joint work of the team, in which there were representatives of Italy, France, Germany, Russia and Poland. The director really managed to convey the spirit of that era, and the characters' characters.
However, if you want to really touch this masterpiece of world literature, pick up a book and plunge into a world accessible only to the reader.