Excellently narrated

Excellently narrated. I tried to read the physical book, but found it too difficult with all the Russian names. This was a delight - to have it so expertly read. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

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A long listen but worth it.

Excellent narration. Good balance of history and fiction.
Enjoyed it until the second epilogue which was too philosophical.

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One of the best narrators on Audible

This is an old favourite. Spellbinding, superb, saga storytelling.

Having read it decades ago, I remember being forced to tear my paperback into chunks so that they could easily fit into my handbag.

This is so much easier!

And the narration is faultless. Gripping. Superb. Please do ask this lady to narrate more times for Audible.

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Powerful and gripping

Gripping incredible telling of a huge piece of history, making it relatable by reference to key characters. So powerful were their emotions of joy, loss, grief, you felt alongside them.
At a time when there are so many wars in the world, you could really empathise with the characters

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Excellent narration of a peerless classic

What a magnificent book. What a perfect mix of intimate personal drama and grand-scale nation-forming action. I was wary at first, having been confused by all the names in Tolstoy’s ‘Anna Karenina’. But in this earlier, longer novel of his, the characters are more distinct, and the writing easier to follow (at least in the translation by Aylmer and Louise Maude).

Initially, the personal dramas seemed more interesting than the battle scenes, and my interest flagged during the Battle of Austerlitz. But as the chapters rolled on, the war parts because more intriguing and moving, especially when Tolstoy framed them with his philosophical thoughts about war, power and the writing of history. When 1812 started, the book really took off, and it was like learning history, but in the most entertaining way possible.

Funnily enough, I was glad I watched Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ last year, becuase although flawed and messy, it gave me a good introduction to the years tackled in more detail here, and it also allowed me to better see both sides of the conflict.

I could have done without the two epilogues, although they both had their charm. But overall, I enjoyed every word, and now understand why it is such a classic, and the book all Russians are taught in school. Over 150 years old, but it still sounds fresh and feels highly relevant. Masterpiece.

And Thandie Newton gives one of the best audiobook experiences I have ever encountered.

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tour de force

After the ghastly experience of trying to listen to the alternative version offered by Audible (why?), switching to this one was a huge relief - a fantastic achievement, read with verve and vivid characterisation. The only thing that spoils it for me is the ridiculous caricature accents she gives to the French and Germans, Making Napoleon sound like Rene in Allo Allo is a great disservice to Tolstoy, and to Bonaparte himself I expect, He wasn't really French after all, but Corsican.

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Such A Beautiful Enriching Story

I listened to Anna Karenina first, expecting that book to be my favourite out of the two. But even though I enjoyed that book, this was my favourite. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. It is so well written by Leo Tolstoy, full of wisdom, history, philosophy, great story telling, life in Moscow and St Petersburg, and great characters. I loved the main characters of Natasha, Andreii and Pierre. I did not know so much of the history of Napoleon and the war in Russia. But I felt like I had been transported to the battlefield of Borodino, those poor men, and what they endured. I really feel like this was not just listening to a story, it was experiencing it. And this will definitely be a book that will stay with me for the rest of my life. This experience was made even more enjoyable by the reading of Thandwie Newton, honestly beyond excellent! And such a long book for her to read and put so much passion into! Narration was so good, possibility one of the best on audiable. Thank you Leo Tolstoy for enriching me in Russian culture and life, history and the beauty of Russia!

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What an experience !

Utterly consuming , I was drawn into this without knowing anymore than it was very long . What an experience, absolutely enthralling. I was brought to tears on more than one occasion. Thandiwe Newton is a master narrator, completely captivating performance.
I can’t recommend this enough .

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Excellent

An incredible audio book, well read, depicted and I have learnt so much from this historically.
Greta story and Leo Tolstoy was an incredible / insightful writer.

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Wow!!!

Absolutely fantastic narration! Thank you very much Thandiwe Newton! You made this great book an even richer experience!

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