How do you read the famous book "War and Peace"?

In the beginning, I also felt that it was a big tome, and it was a bit stressful. I thought I would read it later, but it was really easy to read.

By the way, I have read Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" and "Resurrection" before, and I like his writing style very much. His works are easy to read, and fast-paced, with real and delicate characters and profound thoughts.

"War and Peace," says that there are many characters, but in fact, there are only five or six main characters, and there is no need to remember the others who appear once or twice.

Some people say that Tolstoy's novels are boring, but in fact, his novels are all about human nature, which can be called secular novels.

If you are thinking about the meaning of life? How should people live? How do you view life and death? What is happiness? Then you will find this novel very interesting, and you will eagerly follow the author to find answers.

Or there is no right, single answer at all, but it will inspire more thinking, or a previously vague feeling will become clearer.

Or you think that these issues can be read in philosophy books, but philosophy is different from literature. Philosophy is sometimes like great principles, which enter the brain but not the heart. 

Literature is written about experience, and experience will enter people's hearts, and it will affect you in a subtle way like the spring rain, making you have different perceptions of life and changing without knowing it. 

How should we read such a famous book today?

Many people may have the concept that classics are difficult to understand, but it is true, for any classic, if you want to understand it, you need to work hard. 

Especially this kind of foreign masterpiece, if you want to really understand it, in addition to basic literary accomplishment, the most important thing is to have historical knowledge. If you don't have historical knowledge, you will definitely read Foggy.

The editor once read "War and Peace" and was at a loss. The French at the beginning is a hurdle. Why do you say that?

As a Russian novel, the natural dialogue is in Russian, but there are countless French in "War and Peace"; why then, so many French?

In fact, this is related to the history of Russia. In a Western country, in the 19th century, the upper class always spoke French, and the Russian language was not very mature at that time. This is why, in "War and Peace" there will be So many French reasons.

There is another historical reason that needs to be understood, that is, Napoleon's invasion, and why it invaded, this is also a place that needs to be clarified, only in this way can we truly understand "War and Peace".

Many people's adults will show these classics to their children when they are very young. In fact, this is not advisable and they can't understand them at all. 

Therefore, when children are still very young, they should first read domestic Read books, and then slowly learn about history, starting with domestic history first, and then global history; after having rich historical knowledge, and then reading those classics, then you can understand it.

1. Understand the historical background before reading

The writing background of "War and Peace" can be traced back to the beginning of the 19th century, when Russia was undergoing an important historical transformation, gradually transforming from a feudal society to a modern society. 

During this period, Russian intellectuals began to think about the future and development of Russia. They were eager to change the status quo of Russia and promote social progress and development.

At the same time, the Napoleonic Wars had a profound impact on Russian society. During the Napoleonic Wars, profound upheavals and changes occurred in Russian society. 

These changes not only affected the political and economic fields but also the cultural and ideological fields. Against this historical background, Tolstoy began his ten-year creation of "War and Peace".

In the process of creation, Tolstoy not only considered personal fate and emotions but also took human history and social development as the theme of his novels. 

By describing various characters and events, he shows the complexity and diversity of human society, as well as the heaviness and profundity of history. 

This novel deeply reflects the social and ideological atmosphere at that time, and it is also a process of Tolstoy's own thought exploration and growth.

2. Know the Author before Reading

Leo Tolstoy, one of the greatest Russian writers of the 19th century, was also a thinker, philosopher, statesman, and educator. His representative works include the novels "War and Peace", "Anna Karenina", "Resurrection" and so on.

Tolstoy was born in 1828 into a noble family. He received a traditional education in his youth and served for some time in the army. 

As he grew older, he began to think deeply about society and human existence and began to write. His works are famous for their profound insight into human nature and criticism of social reality.

Tolstoy's thoughts and works are considered important contributions to the history of Russian culture. He advocated true human progress through personal moral cultivation and self-reflection while opposing violence and war. 

His ideas had a profound impact on the Russian Revolution and the democratic movement, as well as on literature and thought throughout the world. 

He is considered to be one of the mentors of many important thinkers and writers of the 20th century, including Gandhi, Tashi Choongje Rinpoche, etc.

3. Grasp the main line and don't get lost in the details

The novel is long and has many complicated plots and characters, but it is necessary to grasp the main line of the novel, that is, the impact of war and peace on human nature, family, and love, so as to better understand the novel.

This is a novel covering multiple families, multiple social groups, and multiple historical periods, so many characters appear. 

Here are some of the main characters:

1. Andre Bolkin: One of the protagonists, an idealist who pursues the value of truth, love, and family.
2. Natasha Rostova: The heroine, beautiful, smart, full of vitality, and full of enthusiasm and dreams for life, has experienced the hardships of love and marriage.
3. Pierre Bekhov: A thinker, full of curiosity and spirit of inquiry, who has been thinking about the progress and development of mankind.
4. Anna Mikhailovna: A beautiful, independent, and attractive woman who seeks self-salvation and finally finds herself through a deep understanding of love and responsibility.
5. Prince Katuzov: The commander of the Russian army, who loves military affairs, but found the absurdity of war in war.
6. Kirillov: An aristocratic youth, influenced by Andrei, became an idealist.
7. The Bear of the North: A military officer with strong nationalistic thoughts.
8. Hortensia: Andrea's older sister, an affectionate woman who was deeply concerned for her brother's safety and well-being. 

4. Pay attention to the relationship between characters and ideological connotations 

The relationship between the characters in the novel is intricate, but these relationships are an important part of the novel and need to be grasped carefully. 

In addition, the ideological connotation of the novel is very rich, requiring careful taste and thinking.

5. Multi-angle analysis and thinking 

The problems in the novel have many levels and angles, which require multi-angle analysis and thinking. 

For example, the novel can be interpreted from multiple perspectives such as history, philosophy, and psychology, so as to better understand its ideological connotation in it.

6. Try to stay focused and patient while reading 

"War and Peace" is long, and requires a lot of time and energy to read. At the same time, you need to maintain concentration and patience and don't lose interest because of the long description.

7. You can ask for help 

If you encounter difficulties in reading, you can seek relevant information or communicate with other readers to discuss and solve problems together.

8. Philosophical work 

In the novel, Tolstoy puts forward many philosophical thinking and life concepts through the discussion of human nature, history, war, and other issues. 

It is not only a literary masterpiece, but also a philosophical work with profound thoughts

Conclusion: "War and Peace" Reading Guide 

In the novel, Tolstoy puts forward many philosophical thinking and life concepts by discussing issues such as human nature, history, and war, which have a profound influence on later generations.

First of all, the exploration of human nature in the novel is very profound. Tolstoy believes that human nature is complex and contradictory, with both a kind and beautiful side and a greedy and selfish side. 

By shaping the characters in the novel, he shows the diversity and complexity of human nature and deeply reflects and discusses human behavior and moral norms.

Secondly, the thinking about history and war in the novel is also very profound. Tolstoy believed that history is made up of countless individual actions and choices, not by great figures or accidental events. 

At the same time, he also deeply reflected on the nature of war and the pain and devastation brought by war to mankind, and put forward the idea of anti-pacifism.

Finally, the novel also discusses issues such as life, love, and religion, and puts forward some profound life concepts and values.