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Having more enjoyment in War and Peace then I ever dreamed possible. I'm probably at the right age of it. After a rough Book One where the endless parties were wearing it was about the middle of Book Two that things started to pick up.

Now to give myself incentive and also a focus I did glance over a plot summary which seems to give Pierre the lion's share of the glory. For me however he comes across as dull and boring and frankly the ONLY time I found him interesting was his sudden lust for Helene after he accidently sees her cleavage if I understand it right and then becomes obsessed with her.

However I find Andrew the most interesting because I can't quite figure him out. His coolness to his wife is to my mind never satisfactorily explained though his attempt at the last minute possible to show affection was moving and poignant.

Next favorite is Nicoklas who seems to make one wrong decision after another and make terrible choices in friends--at least in the case of Dolokuv (spelling??). Denisnov however is a boon companion and charming.

Of the ladies Natasha does NOT impress as in real life I have had my full of entitled ladies. I much prefer the quiet faith of Mary and the loyalty of Sonya by contrast.

Book 4 was a page turner. On the other hand still waitng for the background on Andrew's release form the French. Often it seems Tolstoy skims over scenes between characters that I really wanted more of. Andrew reuniting with his father for instance to name just one.

As I get further along will check in again with impressions none of which are meant to be authoritative or even seriously to be taken. The main motive is to be entertained first and moved--here and there as I go.