The scene for one of the world's greatest novels is set while Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei, and Natasha are introduced in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

The very first sentence of War and Peace is in French, the language of Russian high society. The setting is an early 19th Century soiree in St. Petersburg high society. Anna Pavlovna Scherer, the hostess, rants to Prince Vassily Kuragin about Napoleon’s recent attacks on Russia and calls him an “Antichrist”. Two of the book’s central motifs - the lives of high-society Russians during the time of crisis and the fateful clash between Napoleon and the Russians - are revealed from the start.

Introduction of Prince Andrei and Pierre

Tolstoy introduces the central male characters at Anna Pavlovna’s party. The handsome Prince Andrei Nikolaevich Bolkonsky presents a solemn face as he attends the soiree with his chatty, beautiful, and pregnant wife, Lise. He demonstrates an understanding of social delicacies but disdains society. In contrast, Pyotr (Pierre) Kirillovich Bezukhov, the fat, illegitimate son of a rich, dying count, understands nothing of social delicacies. He constantly interrupts polite conversation to argue unpopular political views or spout philosophy. Despite his awkward behavior, it is clear to everyone that Pierre has a good heart.

Pierre and Prince Andrei are friends and discuss their personal dilemmas. Prince Andrei encourages Pierre to act responsibly and pick a profession. Pierre has been doing just the opposite; he returned from his education abroad and continues to waffle about his career. Meanwhile, he carouses with hooligans and scandalizes high society by tying a policeman to the back of a bear and floating him down a river.

Meanwhile, Bolkonsky evades responsibility in his own way. He is deeply unhappy in his new marriage and considers his wife frivolous, despite her merits. To escape the situation, he is joining the Russian forces to combat Napoleon under Prince Mikhail Kutuzov.

Introduction of Natasha

The major female character, Natalya (Natasha) Ilyinichna Rostov, enters the novel in a burst of energy. It is the name day (given roughly the importance of a birthday in other Western countries) of she and her mother, and there is a party at the Rostov’s estate near Moscow.

Natasha is thirteen years old, half woman and half child. She plays with her brother, Nicholas, his friend, Boris(for whom his mother secured a respected military position at Anna Pavlovna’s soiree), and her cousin, Sonya.

Natasha lives in the moment and her actions are filled with genuine emotion. When she sees Sonya and Nicholas kiss and exchange promises in a quiet room, she copies with Boris.

At a later dinner, Natasha demonstrates great empathy when she finds Sonya crying alone. For no reason other than Sonya’s sadness, Natasha also begins to cry. Sonya explains that Nicholas is flirting with another girl, Julie Karagina, again, and that she and Nicholas can never be married because they are cousins. Natasha reassures Sonya of Nicholas’s affections and their future together.

Pierre’s Inheritance

Meanwhile, all the relatives of Count Bezukhov other than Pierre are plotting to inherit after the count’s imminent death. Vassili and Princess Katerina Semyonovna, the probable heirs, conspire to keep others away from the count. They also worry that the count’s beloved illegitimate son, Pierre, may inherit if the count’s request for legal adoption has reached the tsar.

Boris’ mother, Anna Mikhailovna, schemes to get Boris some money as the count’s godson. She aligns herself with Pierre, who has no idea what all the fuss is about. He visits his father, and the count dies shortly after. Pierre inherits.

Prince Andrei’s Departure

Prince Andrei briefly visits Bald Hills, his family’s estate near Moscow, to bid farewell to his father, Nicholas Bolkonskiand his sister, Marya (Masha) and to drop off his pregnant wife, Lise. Marya has recently received a letter from her closest friend, Julie Karagina, about her romance with Nicholas. The pious Marya reveres her father, who believes in rigorous routine and leaves little room for enjoyment of life. Though Prince Andrei loves and respects his father, he finds humor in his flaws.

Prince Andrei is relieved to leave his wife. Before his departure, Andrei requests that his father raise the yet-unborn child, should Andrei die in battle.

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War and Peace: Volume I, Part II

Tolstoy, Leo, trans. Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. War and Peace. New York: Knopf, 2007. ISBN 978-0-307-26693-4.