I read 500 pages of War and Peace and it ate my heart 💔 the Tolstoy Diaries ep. 2

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hello! welcome to episode 2 of #theTolstoyDiaries! I barely managed to get through the pages in one piece this time - there are a few plot spoilers in this episode, however there are timestamps to jump to and I've made sure to mention which page I'm on in every update so you can skip over if you'd like! If you're reading this with us, how is it going for you - how is your heart?
Mentioned
War and Peace tidd.ly/2R5qPao
Dickens vs. Tolstoy • Dickens vs. Tolstoy
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[@noodleee2D]

I was 21 when I read War and Peace and in my darkest episode of depression. When I read that part with Prince Andrei and oak tree, when he said that life doesn’t end at 31- I cried my eyes out. Then I realize I must life my life day by day enjoying every one, just as I was reading book page by page.

[@littlefelix]

Wow, your comment got me tearing up. I'm 21 now, and I laughed out loud when I read that part of Andrei and the oak tree. I had a hard time from 2020-2023 and I stuck a note on my bedroom wall that my "deadline" would be 30, that if I couldn't get out of my situation and lived a life I would get it done. Andrei's journey has affected me deeply, and the book, in general, has given me an urge to be better and live better. I'm about to finish the book and have been delaying it, and for some reason, I wrote in my journal today that I couldn't die at 30 (not by "that way," I mean), and then I saw this video and your comment. Reading W&P, Tolstoy's novels, and great books in general, has assured me that we're not alone in our suffering. I truly hope you are doing fine as well.

[@NathanDias-iz2wx]

So the book basically saved you 😮 That's wonderful! 💫

[@dianewalker9154]

If you are this emotional now, Tolstoy is about to tear your ass up. Russian literature has a way of reaching into your soul and your psyche and leave you exhausted, breathless, a wreck, but ultimately all the better for it.

[@Scottlp2]

Do you really see Tolstoy e.g. War and Peace that way? I agree some Russian literature is like that but I see that more in e.g. Dostoyevsky.

[@IreneAhmed]

Agree. Dostoevsky can wreck your emotions.

[@lavacaqueri5454]

@@Scottlp2 I've never been as anxious reading a book as when I read crime and punishment. The horse dream scarred me, for some reason.

[@user-uh4vz6fr5s]

It's just that suffering is in our nature somehow lol

[@ryansmith8506]

@@Scottlp2 which book of his would you recommend to read ?

[@nehirpiano]

I can't be the only one who started reading war and peace after emma's video

[@ilqar887]

I don't dare

[@mayursharma5316]

I want to read it, but I am reading a different book right now. And I cannot understand how people read multiple books at a time. It feels impossible to me.

[@nehirpiano]

@@mayursharma5316 yeah me neither, i would definetly lose the plot!!

[@mayursharma5316]

@@nehirpiano yes, and if its a book that I really want to read and hope that it will have a postitive impact on me like war and peace. I think I would feel that I am not commited to the book and the work of the author.

[@nehirpiano]

@@mayursharma5316 yes exactly, kinda like cheating on the author lol

[@chasitydeanna4861]

It's refreshing to finally find a more literary channel! The majority of booktube consists of YA and contemporary works, so you are a breath of fresh air & inspiration 💕 Thanks, girl!

[@1siddynickhead]

Totally agree

[@leonardozumaeta4354]

Check out Better than Food! It’s a great channel as well

[@jenifferjennie5625]

I knoooow, I'm already emotional,happy to be here.

[@ahmedraza3381]

Ikr! Check out jack edwards too!

[@whateverbabe]

I follow many that love classics, you can check out the channels I follow if you want.

[@elodiebruseau590]

You’ll see but Pierre has the best character development of the history of books

[@thierrynormandeau868]

Yessss, tears of joy when I got to the first epilogue. This book has characters and moments that stay with you for a long time.

[@andres.alegre]

His passivity still annoying tho

[@elodiebruseau590]

@@andres.alegre It’s true that in the begging of the book, yeah even maybe the half of it you want to make him realise what is happening and what he’s doing. But I also think that his passivity is resolved in this development arc. But this is also what make him Pierre

[@anbn1955]

when I read this book in my high school, I dreamed about my future hasband as a Pierre

[@elodiebruseau590]

@@anbn1955 ooh I dreamed of Andre, he is the love of my life. And his dynamic with Pierre is so pure and flawless

[@marywong9976]

Prince Andrey has really some of the most powerful lines in this book. There's another speech later in the book that is absolutely breath-taking and so filled with his maturity and humanity

[@xiaowang9302]

When I read War and Peace, I was 18, I was depressed, and lonly. I extracted so much strength from War and Peace. It tells me how to live and how to live well. I was more attracted by Tolstoy's narration of his view of history and napoleon than the plot itself. He just pulls down Napoelon from divine to a man, and explains how every man is like a cog in a gigantic machine which really diminishes one man's significance within the torrent of history! Simply overwhelming!

[@zeniktorres4320]

Many readers fail to get this.

[@pallasathena9829]

Thank you for documenting this journey. You have created such a cozy, safe space on this channel. Thank you for your commitment and consistent uploads, thank you for sharing the wisdom and emotion from the books you're reading... ❤️ You inspire me to read more. I now make time for it each day despite other obligations.

[@user-kq8cm6yq9z]

thank you so much for this video! i'm Russian and i'm pleased to see that people from other countries also read and admire Leo Tolstoy's works. (also, your accent is veeeeeery pretty and i love listening to it haha :D )

[@user-ln5ht2mf5g]

THE WAY SHE'S SPELLING THEIR NAMES IS SO CUTE OMG 😭

[@user-gm5zz9bq8m]

Согласна. Здорово, что люди ещё учат русский в качестве иностранного языка и читают нашу классику.

[@anitababcock8238]

Anna Karenina is my favorite! I need to read War and Peace

[@hamletnoturno5001]

hey, i love russian literature (Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Tchekhov, Bulgákov...)! Do you want to be my friend?

[@user-kq8cm6yq9z]

@@hamletnoturno5001 sure!

[@PinkPog]

Emma. The hero of books we have all been waiting for.

[@bobs1290]

i've always wanted to read tolstoy's works and i just want to say how grateful i am for this book club because it has really motivated me to read some of the best stories i have and will ever encounter! much love from the philippines!

[@fedesbooks]

just from the intro I'm expecting a lot of tears

[@Scottlp2]

Wait till you get to Tolstoy's view of history--later in the book, he breaks the 4th wall and speaks directly to the reader.. Very relevant.

[@ErnesBasketball]

Hey Emma! I have a question: could you maybe do a video sometime in the future on your note taking and marking? I'd really love to learn how to read more effectively and I feel like you do it pretty extensively, so I would love to know how you do it :$ Have a great day :)

[@zzyzxzzyzx]

She has an annotation video here but might also have a more recent video kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5O3d3eYqNylors

[@1siddynickhead]

Emma I love your content! Also, Nikolai fangirling over the Tsar was one of the most fascinating sections in the beginning..omg the oak scene and the conversation between Pierre and Andrei in Andrei's country estate 🥺 Yes to spoilers pls! You can't really discuss the book without going into details. Also, give Pierre some time..he will come through 😉 he's my favourite character and he's incredible honestly. Not to take anything away from Andrei of course. Strangely enough, I relate to Andrei more as a person but I love Pierre more. But their friendship is my favourite thing about this book

[@jamesduggan7200]

yeah, the oak scene was the first thing that hooked me, well maybe the second - I really liked the drawing room scene at the beginning, where Tolstoy describes the old Princess as trying to coquettish.

[@1siddynickhead]

@@jamesduggan7200 yes! It's one of the most memorable moments coz you can see how Andrei sees himself

[@1siddynickhead]

@@jamesduggan7200 yup! The soirée was a lot of fun too! Especially Anna Pavlovna's aunt that everyone Had to say hi to lol

[@bestolkovayachmol7163]

Yesss, Kolya is the best fanboy ever, love him

[@ileanaaaaa]

Tolstoy's ability to hold and squeeze your heart while he takes you on a journey of life

[@m1nature240]

I CANNOT wait for your next War and Peace vlog, I know what's going to happen and I am reliving it vicariously through you and it's just reigniting my love for this story. Thank you for your vlogs and discussion, I really love your vids.

[@camposmurilloalejandra3838]

Omg, I was waiting for this so hard. You saved me from keep struggling reading for school

[@reneeamani6756]

Oh my goodness, I've been so excited and patiently waiting for a second episode of the Tolstoy diaries. Thank you Emma, you never disappoint 🥺❣️

[@megwings11]

I also started crying... hard... at that point where you read the part that made you cry. Wow. What a deafeningly true description of loss and grief

[@jamesduggan7200]

Maybe even Tolstoy didn't know what was going on inside Natasha.

[@jazphillips6657]

just started reading War and Peace last night, inspired by your vlog, thank you so much for sending me on this wonderful journey 💕

[@kate___lynch]

I’m Russian and hearing you say you want to learn Russian is so coool. It’s a hell of a language, I can’t imagine how hard it must be for English speakers to learn it, but if you carry on with it, I’d love to see a video about it!! Good luck, love your vlogs!

[@katkat4223]

Just wanted to take a moment to tell you that your videos are extremely motivating to read more! I've been struggling with my reading since the start of the pandemic and have just started to get back into it. So if I disappear in the middle of your videos that's never because I didn't like them, it's because watching you talk about books motivated me enough to start reading IMMEDIATELY. :D

[@deepshikhachakraborty4952]

I started reading War and Peace because of you. Ahh. I cannot thank you enough. As soon as I'm done with my reading everyday, I come here to watch your vlogs. I'm always so surprised to hear the details and themes you notice which I often miss while reading. But watching you talk about it makes me realise the beauty of the book and also love it even more. Thank you. 🥺❤️

[@ashleylesiak4114]

I spent most of the book screaming at Nikolai and Pierre for being dumb, but in the end I love them so much.

[@omaradecarlos147]

I’m reading War and Peace right now and have been watching these videos so that it feels like I’m reading along with you. It’s so fun to see that you have almost exactly the same thoughts about the characters, the writing, everything, down to highlighting all the same passages. It feels like a cosy book catch-up with a friend. Anyway, thanks so much for these videos, you’re a real gem of a human. 🥰

[@nita182]

You are the most inspiring KZbinr I've ever had the luck of watching. I'm SO glad KZbin recommended me your videos. Your passion for the books is infectious. I can only say THANK YOU.

[@myrtolefk]

this is really motivating me to keep reading it as I'm stuck because i wasn't connecting with it somewhere in the first book!!

[@juanmartinloeda5789]

It took me four months to finish it. It was worth every moment (with the exception of the epilogues which were tedius)

[@dariostevens250]

are you talking about the epilogue or its second part?

[@juanmartinloeda5789]

@@dariostevens250 epilogues. Comment edited already

[@dariostevens250]

@@juanmartinloeda5789 I haven't read that yet, but, if I'm not mistaken, only the second part of the epilogue is tedious or the all?

[@juanmartinloeda5789]

@@dariostevens250 in my case, all

[@jovanasloboda]

The epilogues killed me, I had to force myself to finish them, I was not in the mood for them, ever

[@just12twelve]

why do you have to be so passionate about this book emma??? now I want to read it so badly but the editions of War and Peace in my country are crazily expensive. btw this video was really really great

[@ashleylesiak4114]

There are free editions on internet if you don’t mind reading off your phone or computer. It’s so old that it’s in the public domain.

[@dariacostea3278]

You can find it online on Z-library and is legal

[@tinarosehall3804]

That expensive!! Its only 6 dollars in my country

[@robertobastardo]

I have finished this book two days ago and watching this video is like watching myself whilst reading it Lol From the manic annotating with mouth open in shock and awe to just dropping the book and sobbing haha! Watching you talk about Nikolai Rostov is like watching "past me" lol Thanks Emma, I did always want to read this, but you motivated me to finally get on with it. And it's one of the most beautiful reading experience my heart will always cherish.

[@tamararosic9633]

I remember reading this book in high school, it's so fun to watch someone else go through what I did (it's such a beast and you literally pulled out quotes I remember loving!) but I must admit I gave myself nearly a year to read it, I wasn't so ambitious to get through it so quickly - I admire you haha - also i remember the novel ends with Tolstoy explaining the philosophy of the book in the most amazing way and already I can see from you're critical reflections you have diagnosed the meaning of the book perfectly (specifically about the characters being puppets) can't wait to hear what you think of the second part of the epilogue - pps i am now rereading it because your discussions were so good, i can't not

[@May-bd6dv]

I just appreciate you reading out the quotes, so many of them I had highlighted myself. ❤

[@byunsbaex]

I absolutely love your videos and your voice♡♡♡ you help me relax especially now during the finals which stress me out a lot so thank you so so much ♡♡♡

[@dansemacabre4178]

I'm constantly watching your War and Peace vlogs, and you are so amazing. It's been years since I've read this book, and now my feelings differ from those I had while I was younger, but I feel you so much, especially for Prince Andrei (he was my favourite from the first till the last his pages). So I'd highly recommend you to watch the 60's soviet movie (Pierre, Helene, and Andrei are a little bit old, but Bolkonsky is spectacular), it's long but worth watching.

[@vasilisashakurova743]

I’m so glad to see Emma enjoining “War and peace”. Book two is the best. I’ve read it in one day

[@penultimateh766]

I think this means you have also had some very painful losses in your own life. If that's the case, I hope you will receive some sort of comfort. You seem very sweet.

[@alanbauch2815]

Bravo, Emmie! I have read that thing three times now, it's gotten better with every subsequent read, it is one of the greatest books. I so enjoyed your analysis of various scenes, and insights into the book! As you were going on, I thought, "boy she's really educated.... keep it all going, emmie,.. you are on a road to real excellence!

[@_Alimm]

This vlog is what the love of reading is all about. I picked this book up right after watching this

[@camienele5982]

this video is just amazing. realizing you had to make such a great job to redact it and to film it. to film your emotions and conclusions. just w o w. such a great and hard work, just stunning

[@vix7146]

We read "war and peace" at the 10th grade here in Russia, personally I hated it sooo much and I can't really explain why, probably that was too early for 15 y.o. me 😅 although I loved crime and punishment and the whole Dostoevsky honestly

[@Nastya-uj9bg]

same from ukraine. despised war and peace and having to read it in the 10th. loved crime and punishment

[@ryanoneiljohnson8743]

I'm fine with W&P, great writing but it doesn't suit with my reference. I also love C&P, the author able to catch up my mind.

[@lizaoxen]

У меня абсолютно такая же ситуация))

[@Nastya-uj9bg]

@@lizaoxen еще был Тихий дон шолохова. кто-то его прочитал тогда? мне кажется я сочинение откуда-то достала :)

[@user-uv7wy1db2c]

@@Nastya-uj9bg прочитала в 11 классе, боялась, что в ЕГЭ попадётся. Думала, скучно будет. И просто это стало одной из самых важных книг в моей жизни

[@happiness4654]

Day 4 of telling Emma that she’s a precious lil bean💞

[@user-rv1qb5io6k]

I am from Russia and for me it is a great pride that our literature is popular abroad! We read war and peace at school, so many in Russia have a negative impression of Leo Tolstoy (and many other Russian authors). Russian literature is painful and difficult, like the history... thanks for your passion for Russian literature! 💜

[@ahmadhammoud1053]

Russia produced one of the best novelists of all time. Russian literature changes your life.

[@evielouise718]

This made me want to read so many books in a very short amount of time and a small amount of videos do this to me so thank you Emma :)

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

Thanks so much for doing this. I am really looking forward to starting this later on this year. I am impressed by your book club for taking four years to read Dickens and Tolstoy. A great idea. 😊💙

[@Caroltreads]

I'm so excited for this!! also congrats on 90k!!!

[@mellopages3560]

watching this has 100% convinced me to pick up war and peace! i bought it on accident last year, and now i finally get to use that copy :) i’m excited for more tolstoy diaries

[@Irati698]

This vlog is a really nice way to re-experience War and Peace!

[@pps554]

I’m really enjoying this series. War and peace changed my life when I was nineteen and it’s nice to feel a bit of that intensity again through another’s thoughts

[@raxorrrs]

My heart skipped a beat after seeing the notification Y^Y love you Emma ^^

[@bruh-iy9ec]

I'm so ready for this rollercoaster (preparing tissues for the flood that shall expell from mine eyes)! I've been refreshing for the past 10 minutes waiting for the vid muahaha!!

[@alanbauch2815]

Those, glasses are so cool, my mom had a pair back in the early sixties...she has passed away recently.... and it really lifted my heart to see you wearing them... thanks, Emmie, from AL

[@mayen6264]

Rushed here just to recommend you a writer you might like based on your previous faves 😊: Ivo Andric " The bridge on the Drina" and " The damned yard" ( can also help with your 🌍 literature quest) AND CONGRATS ON FINISHING IT!! Can't wait to hear your thoughts

[@LadyGaladriel100]

Also books by Meša Selimović, those are divine 🤗

[@jana-mq6ky]

yes emma please, try reading the bridge on the Drina, Ivo Andrić received Nobel prize in 1961 😁🙌🏻

[@francoderico1877]

Croatian authors?

[@jana-mq6ky]

@@francoderico1877 he was born in Travnik, Bosnia and Hercegovina and died in Belgrade, Serbia. He was a Yugoslav novelist.

[@jana-mq6ky]

@@francoderico1877 and mesa selimovic was also born in BiH, in city named Tuzla...and died in belgrade

[@mattkean1128]

Just laughing at the absurdity of how good the lines are. Very excited to see you get to some later parts.

[@estadoagridulce]

i love this journey! thank you for sharing it with us.

[@GabriellaAlodia]

I've got a different translation than yours but girl..... you made me wanna read your version. The words are just too beautiful!

[@safftrisnahadi117]

the first time you cried, I cried too because the passage is so heart wrenching and now I'm adding W&P to my cart 😭

[@migo4316]

I’ve been delaying that book for at least 12 years and it’s hunting my mind lately.. That’s the nudge I needed ;) Thank you :)

[@diananwilati6948]

Thanks a lot for your review. I also loved that conversation that Prince Andrei had with Pierre and the “oak tree” part 😃😃😃

[@Dian-ny8um]

I just started to read it. So far 5 pages. Wish me luck and I enjoy your vlogs. I watch 'em every night before I go to sleep.

[@Kpopheaven]

I'm scared of reading War and Peace, mainly because the book is so huge. But your reading vlogs really convince me to pick it up! I mean, there has to be something in it because everybody seem to like it. And when the book can make someone cry, I'm always even more interested!

[@naja7319]

Hi, I love watching your videos! Your upload so often, it’s amazing. ✨ I was wondering if you could make a more in-depth video about how you read so many books?

[@gesine9675]

Been waiting for this I love your Videos🥺

[@dorothea327]

i'm living for the intro😌

[@LaceCoveredSkies]

I just bought a copy. "I cannot help loving the light, it is not my fault." 😭 " I do not believe in your hopes and your lies. " 😭💔

[@mademoiselleadeline261]

for some reason, there’s something about you that really resonates with me

[@sharon152]

I only finished it at the end of March but I want to read it again now. That scene you mentioned about Prince Andre was beautiful and made me cry (1 of many). I absolutely ADORE Tolstoy

[@user-bx1sn3sm1f]

Hon I love your videos and when I first started reading War and peace I was already on chapter 3 on the 100s pages and I believe this book is the one for all of us I love your videos thank you for making this😊

[@catherinecouch2960]

You should make a podcast. I could listen to your voice all day😌💜

[@juliekuvakos8924]

I just started a week and half ago after debating when I would start this book I found your channel. I’m trying to catch up and join you guys in this amazing Tolstoy vs Dickens reading challenge!

[@hayasalih4179]

I just discovered your channel and i loovved you how cute and positive. I'm so happy that your videos are long i was like ayyyyyyy. I will have some good hours with you💙

[@nadializbeth3441]

You hyped me up so much that I bought War and Peace, I’ll start reading it soon!!

[@simonebianchi7933]

I came here almost an year later, watching these vlogs without knowing what do you think in the end about War and Peace, Tolstoy and in general about the Dickens vs Tolstoy thing. My personal opinion: there's no issue, there's no competition, there is only Tolstoy with his magnificent novel(s). I can't talk about something more specific because i should write a reeeaaalllly longer essay, and i don't love such things under videos hahah btw i'm a new fan, greetings from Italy! Loving your content!

[@jessekalim]

Thank you for doing this. One of my favorite books.

[@aleale8857]

Yesssss, i am loving this vlogs

[@brancozfj]

I've already read the book a few years ago but youtube recommended your video to me and I love it. I almost feel like starting to read again but I have a lot of books to read hahaaha

[@thierrynormandeau868]

I read the scene of Andrei looking at the sky at Austerlitz 3 years ago and still remember it so vividly. Excited to hear what you’ll think of Pierre’s development; his meeting of Karateïv and how it marked and changed Pierre is another one of the many beautiful moments in this book. Tolstoy really was the master novelist.

[@gatorskulls]

You channel has made me love classics again

[@anitababcock8238]

I’m still reading this, 735 pages in and I am still in love with it. I can’t thank you enough for this book club, it motivated me to read War and Peace. I loved Anna Karenina and The Awakening but was so intimidated by this. This has been beyond worth it

[@pastaslut]

YOUR CHANNEL IS SO CINEMATIC AND PERFECT

[@sacdaabdurhman]

“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” Never give up. Take small steps to achieve your goals.loved the video 💜

[@TheBookChameleon]

i wish I could "like" this twice! such a great video!

[@PinkPog]

Update : you made me cry too.

[@luccacidade]

Can you please post the next episode immediately!!!!! I love it so much 😭😭😭

[@taralynnb]

This intro is EVERYTHING

[@aditid4007]

I ABSOLUTELY *ADOREEEEE* YOUUU

[@kirkcalma4365]

It took me about 10 years of starting and stopping, but I finally finished it, and it is one of my all-time faves. Truly the definitive novel.

[@pranavisharma5022]

Ahhhh, dying for such passion 🥲

[@GarryBurgess]

I came back to this video at the very part that I'm in in this book, namely the end of Book 1, and the same passage that you just read outlaid. I just ripped through a lot of the book to find these powerful passages, and it was surprising.

[@ohtatya]

You should check out Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812!

[@kellicoffman8440]

Thank you for sharing I have been thinking of re reading 📖 war and peace next year As I remember the part your talking I remember thinking that Tolstoy must have been a soldier and was not surprised to find out I was right

[@ronkrupovich7152]

I'll have to go back to your earlier videos. I read almost all of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky back in 1973-74--and have read them many times since. And Dickens, of course, is one of my favourite authors, although he does not seem to be very popular these days. BTW, on my favourite novels list, War & Peace and David Copperfield share first place.

[@dreaming9to5]

Good for you! I haven't had the guts or patience to read this!

[@imean.polina]

I'm literally In love with Leo Tolstoy! When I read his books, my throat just squeezes with delight! After reading War and Peace I highly recommend you to read Anna Karenina. You know, after this impression of his boojs, I cry every time when read about his biography. How unhappy he was!!

[@angie-up2cs]

Omg the way you tell it and all, I WANNA READ ITTTTTT

[@biggsheba1]

Would love to see you film a video where you walk us through your reading and annotating process. As in, read and annotate a book while recording. A talk through of what you are annotating and why. ❤

[@ana-3251]

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who sobs while reading war and peace

[@catherinecouch2960]

Can we talk about how good that intro was? Like it was a full on movie!💜💜😌😌

[@acr08807]

If War and Peace is tugging at your heartstrings, just wait until you read Anna Karenina.

[@sangayladen]

Ive read both and i like war and peace better 😙