War and Peace, Volume 1

By: Leo Tolstoy

Narrated by: Neville Jason

Length: 30 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

War and Peace is one of the greatest monuments in world literature. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, it examines the relationship between the individual and the relentless march of history. Here are the universal themes of love and hate, ambition and despair, youth and age, expressed with a swirling vitality which makes the book as accessible today as it was when it was first published in 1869.

In addition it is, famously, one of the longest books in Western literature and therefore a remarkable challenge for any reader. Neville Jason read the abridged version of War and Peace and proved his marathon powers with his outstanding performance of Proust's Remembrance of Things Past. These make him the ideal narrator to essay Tolstoy's epic.

War and Peace was translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude.

© and (P) Naxos Rights International

Critic reviews

"War and Peace presents us with a complete picture of human life; a complete picture of the Russia of those days; a complete historic picture of the struggle of nations; and a complete picture of the things in which men set their happiness and greatness, their sorrow and their shame." (A.V. Knowles, Tolstoy: The Critical Heritage)
"There remains the greatest of all novelists - for what else can we call the author of War and Peace?" (Virginia Woolf)

Great story well read

I love War and Peace, having read it three times and each time it gets better. The reader doors a fine job, but how could anyone do ask of the characters justice? a little allowance and imagination are required, but given that, wonderful!

Amazing book and narrator

What made the experience of listening to War and Peace, Volume 1 the most enjoyable?

I really like the narrator, he's very easy to listen to and has a very agreeable voice.

Gripping and amazingly narrated!

What did you love best about War and Peace, Volume 1?

I have tried to read W&P multiple times and always peter out on Volume 2. Listening to it, Neville Jason's excellent narration carried me through (although I must admit I still find Volume 2 rather boring). Every character has a different, nuanced voice and I was soon lost in the story and among the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of War and Peace, Volume 1?

Natasha's episode in Moscow towards the end. I don't know how Tolstoy so well captured the minds and emotions of an adolescent girl, but it was very authentic.

Which character – as performed by Neville Jason – was your favorite?

Maria Dmitrievna, definitely.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's full of emotional moments with characters you get to know exquisitely well.

WOW! Best piece of Western literature.

If you could sum up War and Peace, Volume 1 in three words, what would they be?

Tolstoy knows the human condition and heart!

What was one of the most memorable moments of War and Peace, Volume 1?

When Anatole Kuragin nearly abducted Natasha...OMG!!

Which character – as performed by Neville Jason – was your favorite?

Nicolai Rostov

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are so many...truly. The accounts of the battles are so real you feel as though you are there.

Any additional comments?

Only so sorry I waited so long to read this epic classic. It's truly life changing.

Extraordinary

A lively, animated reading that brought the profound drama of this great classic to life.

Worth The Time

While it is a struggle to complete the 60+ hours in this first volume, this is a compelling book. The narration is not perfect but it is the best I have found. This is probably the easiest way to complete this mammoth work.

Awesome!

I have always wanted to read this book, just to say I did. I thought I was in for a long haul, but the first half has flown by! The narrator is excellent. There are very many characters and it seems he has a distinctive voice for each! Don't get me wrong, there are boring parts and it IS confusing in the beginning to remember all the characters, but pay close attention at first and you will recall them as time goes on. I even took a break halfway through for another book. I actually was happy to return to this one! Very well narrated, I think it makes all the difference. (the Peace parts are more interesting than the War parts, mostly)

Two previous attempts; Audible was the key

If you could sum up War and Peace, Volume 1 in three words, what would they be?

First 100 pages difficult; excellent thereafter

What other book might you compare War and Peace, Volume 1 to and why?

Volume 2: all comments apply to both

Which scene was your favorite?

Count Pierre Bezukhov's experiences as French prisoner for insights into the lives of common Russian soldiers

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

None

Any additional comments?

I started reading this book two times in the past 30 years and never got to page 100. Audible allowed me to complete the entire masterpiece, though the early pages of character introductions remained the least enjoyable part.

I will search for other narrations by Neville Jason.

Great Book!

War and Peace gives a historical account of the war between Napolean and Alexander in 19th centry. It is a timeless greatest books in world literature. The stories of four interwoven upper class Russian families??? told by Russia's greatest novelist Leo Tolstoy were unforgettable.
I finished listing this 70-hour audio book in two weeks. The beautiful writing style of Leo Tolstoy and the comfortable voice of narrator Neville are both attractive.
I love Leo Tolstoy???s books and share his view of the world. Besides this book I have also read his another great book: Anna Karenina.

Wow! Timeless!

It honestly took me over 2 months to finish this but it was worth every minute. Im mentally preparing myself for volume 2, as this was a lot to chew, but damn this book got it all. Love, Jealousy, Loss, Pride-- Thoughts of the old and young-- you could place these characters in modern times and find within them someone in your lifetime that you recognize.