This book covers a period of time that had a deep impact on the people of Russia and across Europe: the Napoleonic wars, particularly between the years 1805 and 1812. The book really clearly conveys the daily lives of a lot of the Russian aristocracy and some of their servants, and we follow them along during the upheaval across the country caused by warring with the French. There are some amazingly detailed descriptions, for example each battle scene, and a vivid description of a party on a wolf hunt, and more. The story dives into behavior and motivations of each character – fictional as well as the actual leaders during the events.
I found it hard to get through the beginning of the book with the large number of characters and boring socializing scenes. Once I got into it I felt I learned a lot about that period of time.
I found it hard to get through the beginning of the book with the large number of characters and boring socializing scenes. Once I got into it I felt I learned a lot about that period of time.