Absolutely astonishing. I have never seen a comparison of two epochs in the guise of father and son in such a creative and interesting way. Also, without giving spoilers I would say that Tolstoy compares the father and son, so I guess wants to tell how different epochs developed different men (heroes), but still my attention was driven by the son's friend, as I think he was resembling his friend's father more than his friend, what I mean the epochs may be different, and the heroes too, but not all heroes, as in my opinion the friend was a different man in the wrong epoch I guess. I think this book is still relevant today, when you comparing your fathers values and behaviors to yours.