War and Peace, Book 2 #867758

In Book 2 of War and Peace tensions rise as Napoleon’s army advances toward Russia. Pierre Bezukhov, inheriting a vast fortune, struggles with his newfound status and searches for meaning in chaotic high society. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, disillusioned with family life after his wife’s death, eagerly rejoins the military, hoping to find purpose in war. The Rostov family experiences both joy and hardship: Nikolai gambles away their money, while Natasha blossoms into a spirited young woman. Tolstoy contrasts personal dramas with the grandeur of war, exploring themes of fate, ambition, and the human condition. As battles loom, characters grapple with their roles in an unfolding destiny.