Just realizing I do not like W+P
Have been on a Tolstoy kick of late, reading the books and watching the different versions. I am probably reading too much into it but it all seems so contrived, in a place the size of Russia, everyone popping up at just the right moment in the middle of a war. Pierre is always Johnny on the spot to save the Rostovs from any inconvenience, Nicholai turns up handily in order to end up with the rich Princess, Andre being in the Rostov house when he is injured. It is like a Russian romantic comedy made serious. Also in reading the book, Tolstoy seemed a little obsessed with Natasha and young girls in general, and there are borderline incestuous bits about Nicholia and Natasha's feelings for each other. I know it was a different era and all, but it reads a little creepy now.
I still do not understand why Andre loved Natasha. But of course she ended up with fat Pierre, as he was probably Tolstoy in his mind.
Not very many lovable characters in this tale. I liked Count Rostov best even though he was weak and shiftless. The countess was a money-obsessed shrew. Sonja a martyr. Princess Maria was insufferable. Pierre was ridiculous, like some big man child with airy fairy ideals. Nicholai a spoiled mama's boy. And Natasha was a silly self-absorbed debutante.
Still, it is an absorbing soap opera.