War and Peace, Volume 1

By: Leo Tolstoy

Narrated by: Neville Jason

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)

Perfect

Amazing. So much detail into the thoughts, feelings, what is said, what is not said, intentions, interactions, expressions, body language; comming of age, dissapointments, growing, learning, virtue, vice, scheming, love, forgiveness, desire, so much more. This is a book about life. This is why I love the classics. An excellent narration as well. Perfect score.

War and peace narrated by Neville Jason

A masterpiece must be displayed correctly so as to to bring forth its full splendor. This allows the viewer the deep experiencing necessary to brings art to life. Neville Jason's narration gives Tolstoy such a display. His intelligence and emotional depth bring War and Piece to life and reveal its timelessness and beauty.

Narrative was brilliant!

A tough slog to read, listening to this fabulous narration helps to keep the difficult names in order.

Great performance of a great book

Any additional comments?

I have listened to Volumes 1 and 2 twice already in the last year, and I will continue to listen again and again. The performer disappears from the narration. His mastery is such that you forget that he exists and are totally absorbed by the story and characters.

My favorite character was Pierre--no, Natasha. No, wait, Kutuzov. Or maybe that country uncle of Natasha's. Pierre has a pure heart, but human failings. Natasha is not afraid to really love someone--and then if that person turns out to be a cad or dies, to love someone else. That country uncle really knows how to live! And Kutuzov? If you aren't moved by his reaction when he learns that the French are fleeing Russia, check your pulse.

This book moves me over and over again. Nobody soars like Tolstoy. This is the most thrilling audible experience out there. Here are a few of the many exceptionally moving scenes: Andrei's near death experience at Austerlitz. The battle of Borodino. Pierre finally declares his love for Natasha, the death of Platov. But for shear, lyrical power, I'll take any of several scenes of the Rostov's in the country--the hunting scene that ends with Natasha spends an evening with the old uncle, the sleigh ride with Sonia and Nickolai, the mummery visits to the neighbors. There is no book like this for its power to move me and the performance is as good as it gets.

A Winner

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I highly recommend this audiobook because of the narrator. Although I prefer Peavar and Volokhonsky's translation of War and Peace, Neville Jason reads so brilliantly that his narration takes precedence over the translation. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy rich Russian literature at its best on audiobook.

What does Neville Jason bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Neville Jason brings life to the characters far better than I could have done reading on my own.

Outstanding!

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

Neville Jason does a fantastic job narrating this book. Easily the best audiobook I have listened to.

Tolstoy Rocks

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

I love Tolstoy. I love the way he writes, his character development. I love everything about this book, even it's length.

What did you like best about this story?

War and Peace is brutally realistic and passionately written.

Good reading of the Maude translation

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

Anyone who loves a long Victorian novel along the lines of Anthony Trollope will have lots to love in War and Peace. Although those are most the "peace" parts. I admit I got a little bored with the War parts and am far more interested in the drawing rooms during Peace.

Who was your favorite character and why?

In the beginning I had a lot of sympathy for Maria Bolkonskaya and the way she has to put up with abuse from her father. But then she treats Natasha so coldly and is so selfish about not wanting her brother to get remarried, I started to lose sympathy . We'll see if this switches again in Volume 2.

Any additional comments?

One of my biggest complaints about audiobooks is that when I want to read a translated book, I can rarely easily find out the translator. This version is the Aylmer and Louise Maude translation (available in the public domain if you want to read along) but it keeps the Russian name pronunciations that were removed from that. Why is it so difficult to find out who translated it? That information should be available.

Even the aristocracy has problems

it is astounding how many people were members of the aristocracy in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century. Seems that everybody was a count or a prince or some type of titled aristocracy. overall I enjoyed the story and all of the different characters. It of course is very long and tell the stories of numerous characters during the Napoleonic Wars with Russia and Austria Germany France. if you don't mind a long read, it is worth your time.

Terrific!

This recording of Neville Jason reading War and Peace is wonderful and quite a bargain. I listen to audiobooks when I walk, and it took me three months to listen to all of War and Peace (both Volume 1 and Volume 2). Jason's inflection and pacing are flawless. What a pleasure! Note: he is reading the Maude translation.