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Literary Fiction· Russia

War and Peace

by Leo Tolstoy
Aggregate Editorial Score70/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1869696 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace (1869) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. Tolstoy's colossal novel follows five aristocratic families through Napoleon's invasion of Russia, interweaving the intimate details of private life with the sweep of history. The novel's philosophical passages challenge the great-man theory of history in favour of vast impersonal forces. It is universally regarded as one of the supreme achievements of world literature. Themes of war, history, fate run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1869.

Book Details

AuthorLeo Tolstoy
Published1869
Country of Origin🇷🇺 Russia
LanguageEnglish
Pages696
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781400079988
Editorial Score70/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

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Country of Origin

🇷🇺 Russia

This book is part of Russia's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

Leo Tolstoy published War and Peace in 1869, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Russia. The book's treatment of war, history, fate, aristocracy accounts for much of its enduring reputation. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Nobel Prize in Literature 1869. Its aggregate editorial score of 70/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. The appeal of War and Peace lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of war, history, fate, aristocracy is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Russia's literary landscape, Leo Tolstoy occupies a significant position. War and Peace is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
186960
✍️
About the Author
Leo Tolstoy
Russia
View Author →

Leo Tolstoy is a celebrated author from Russia known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is War and Peace about?

Tolstoy's colossal novel follows five aristocratic families through Napoleon's invasion of Russia, interweaving the intimate details of private life with the sweep of history. The novel's philosophical passages challenge the great-man theory of history in favour of vast impersonal forces. It is universally regarded as one of the supreme achievements of world literature.

Who wrote War and Peace?

War and Peace was written by Leo Tolstoy, from Russia. First published in 1869.

What awards has War and Peace won?

War and Peace has received the following awards and honours: Nobel Prize in Literature 1869.

Is War and Peace worth reading?

War and Peace is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 60/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in war, history, fate.

Where can I buy War and Peace?

You can buy War and Peace on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is War and Peace?

War and Peace is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is War and Peace from?

War and Peace originates from Russia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Russia on our country page.

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