Why should you read Tolstoy's 'War and Peace'? - Brendan Pelsue

"War and Peace." A tome. A slog. The sort of book you shouldn’t read in bed because if you fall asleep it could give you a concussion. Right? Only partly. "War and Peace" is a long book, sure, but it’s also a thrilling examination of history populated with some of the deepest, most realistic characters you’ll find anywhere. Brendan Pelsue shares everything you need to know to read this classic book.

Lesson by Brendan Pelsue, animation by Patrick Smith.

[TEDEd]

Correction: The Decembrists revolted against the conservative Tsar Nicholas I in 1825, not Tsar Nicholas II.

[stiltzkinvanserine]

Reading a book like this is similar to entering a relationship; it requires commitment.

[EpicFallOut]

These "why you should read" videos are great because they're like trailers to books. I've only ever heard "War and Peace" used as an idiom

[N_N_MD]

My Russian literature teacher once said: “War and peace should be read at least twice in your life. The first time is at school for the general development and study of the history of Russia. The second time is when you are at a conscious age (30-40 years old). Exactly the second time you will understand the genius of Leo Tolstoy's thought".

[marthawoodworth]

"War and Peace" is easy to read. It's made up of many short chapters like little stories that add up so that reading it is like eating peanuts...once you start, you can't stop. I loved every minute of it.

[cedmelancon]

I was able to read it when I stopped trying to remember how every character related to every other character and just enjoyed the ride.

[usquhks]

"... and if its length intimidates you, just imagine how poor Tolstoy felt.."

Poor Tolstoy? Poor his wife, Sofia, who rewrote about 8 (if i'm not mistaken) variations of "War and Peace" BY HAND! 8 times!
Also they had 13 children and she did take an active part in raising them)

Love the novel, btw)

[ranabanik]

Publisher: How many pages you want to write?
Tolstoy: Yes.

Rather than thinking how Tolstoy felt I want to see how his wife felt... She had to copy that monster of a book seven times by hand, so he could do corrections on it...

[SebastiansFacts]

I just started reading War and Peace a couple of weeks ago. I love these coincidences, when something that's just happening in my life is talked about on youtube. Feels good, I don't really know why though.

[RandomDude-bolg]

I don't have time to read.
*continuing scrolling YT for hours*

[BeyondBaito]

man when they sang "It's a complicated Russian novel" they weren't kidding.

[captainskeleton]

I don't know why every time i read Russian Literature ( Famous ones), I always get a sense of profound emptiness inside me, a sense of awe, mixed with sadness. It makes me question our society, our culture, our humanity. These kind of books change who you are, enriching the mind with thoughts. Forces me to think critically and understand why Karl Marx's communism got so popular in Russia, why people would want such classless society. Russian people had gone through a lot in the past couple of centuries. From Bangladesh.


Edit: Typing error.

[justflyingbymedivac]

Being Russian feels kinda cool when you listen to how another people tries to say our names and words with their ascent such as "Yasnaya polyana" and "Tolstoy". But " Decembers" is very clever adaptation of "Decabrists". Like!

[BotteEnTouche]

At the end, I had become so attached to the story and characters that when I finished it, it felt like I had lost someone very dear to me. To me, it's the greatest book ever written.

[dorotapeniasko]

i cannot describe how much i LOVE russian literature

[tehleelmir]

and how can he tell the whole story, without the story of big bang

[bacchusstyle]

You must be kidding! Bought this book just two days ago, two days! And now, this video. Definitely, I have to read it!

[moirarusaw]

I'm 14 years old, halfway through it, and have only been reading it for a month. I made it my goal this year to finish before 2022, and I am absolutely determined to do it. I believe I can and will. I made it my goal because I had no idea what it was about, but it was so commonly talked about, yet I did not know more than 2 people who had read it before. I can honestly tell you that so far it is the best book I have ever read (and I do read quite a lot). What is more important to me than anything else about the book is Tolstoys immaculate way of describing characters. It is so deep and profound, and it has opened a window into viewing the ways others see things, and it is stunningly beautiful.

[ieoncmq]

Hey everyone! I’m Liubov, a Russian student studying the Literature and I have something to tell you about this ‘epic novel’ (in our schools and unis War and Peace is taught to be written in this genre). First of all, thank you, TEDed, for making such videos because every time I see people who reads such a novel (or at least tries to do it :)) I feel very proud of my culture. Also I’d like to give you a life hack: if you get puzzled by the really difficult relationship between the characters here, you can try to make a scheme with all the bonds that link the characters with each other.

Have a nice day! 😉❤️