JJ > Recent Status Updates

It’s well written but it’s not a feel good read at all. Wanted to know what happened with his sentencing and the lawyers’ thoughts, so I’ve skimmed/almost skipped a lot of the details between him and Nicole which felt dirty and disturbing. Going to finish the book for the sake of finishing it at this point, but I wouldn’t recommend to most. Definitely for a particular crowd.

Volume II left me invested. Natasha annoyed me endlessly, but I suppose that’s part of being young—her choices are frustrating yet believable. I found myself relating more to Prince Andrei, though I’m not sure if it’s our temperament or simply this stage of life. Pierre still exasperates me, but he finally stepped up when it mattered. I’m curious to see how Marya grows. Tolstoy writes flawed people so well

So far it feels quite modern. Characters are young, uncertain, hopeful, vain, lonely—searching for love, purpose, belonging, clearer sense of life. Around them society hums with expectations, fashionable opinions, politics & threat of war. Uniforms & drawing rooms belong to another era but the emotions don’t. They still chase status, misunderstand love & speak confidently about conflicts they barely understand.