Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 16

Characters Present:

Prince Andrew Bolkónski
Commander-in-Chief/Prince Kutúzhov

Location:

Headquarters 

Prince Andrew and Kutúzhov have a meeting, where Kutúzhov says that he is very fond of Prince Andrew, and that he must consider him as a second father.

Kutúzhov then laments the actions taken in previous wars, that have led to the current state of Russia, and it's war with France.   He becomes quite emotional, and says that he will make the French eat their horses.

Prince Andrew leaves the meeting, feeling like the right choice was made to make Kutúzhov Commander-in-Chief.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 15

Characters Present:

Prince Andrew Bolkónski
Vaska Denísov
Commander in Chief/Prince Kutúzhov

Location:

Headquarters 


Prince Andrew is summoned to headquarters by General Kutúzhov, who is absent when Prince Andrew arrives.

Prince Andrew speaks with Denísov for a while, each reminding the other of Natasha, as they had both been betrothed to her. 

General Kutúzhov arrives, and is described as having grown "corpulent, flaccid and fat", and as making the porch creak as he dismounts from his horse.  

Kutúzhov gets a bit upset about news of Prince Nicholas' death.

Denísov suggests a clever way to cut French communication lines, which Kutúzhov discards, as he dislikes clever people for no obvious reason other than that he is old.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 14

Characters Present:

Princess Mary Bolkonskaya
Nicholas Rostóv
Dron


Location:

Boguchárovo 

Nicholas calls for Dron, the leader of the peasant's to be brought to him, and Dron is subsequently locked in a cupboard while Nicholas rallies the peasants to load Princess Mary's carts.

He has a conversation with Princess Mary before she departs, and they, unbeknownst to one another, fall in love. Dron is released from the cupboard.

Nicholas feels agitated by the taunts by his comrades, but only because he doesn't know what to do about Sonya, his cousin, to whom he is betrothed.  

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 13

Characters Present:

Princess Mary Bolkonskaya
Nicholas Rostóv
Ilyín
Alpátych

Location:

Boguchárovo 

Nicholas and Ilyín ride into Boguchárovo, which has been between opposing armies for a few days.

Alpátych approaches them, and asks them for help: the peasants will not allow Princess Mary to leave, threatening to unharness her horses if she tries.  They have however, stated that they will serve her, as before, if she stays.

Nicholas goes to speak with Princess Mary, and he seems quite taken with her fragility.  She explains to him what has happened, and he assures her that she will have a safe passage away from the village.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 12

Characters Present:

Princess Mary Bolkonskaya

Location:

Boguchárovo 


Princess Mary spends some time brooding alone in her bedroom. 

She thinks of her father, wondering what he meant when he said "dear-est" just before he died.

Princess Mary eventually realises that he meant "Dunyásha" and starts screaming it loudly as she runs to the servant's quarters, and towards her old nursemaid.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 11

Characters Present:

Dron
Princess Mary Bolkonskaya
The Peasants

Location:

Boguchárovo 

Princess Mary is visited by Dron an hour after he first left, who tells her that the peasants have come to speak with her.

Princess Mary goes outside to ask why they haven't left for Moscow, or taken the grain that she offered them.

She gives an impassioned speech, saying to them what what is hers is theirs, but is met by a grim silence. 

Eventually, she asks why they won't leave for safety, and the answer comes back in several voices from the crowd, that imply that she is tricking them into slavery by getting them to move on to Moscow.  They would prefer to stay where they are, despite the danger from the French.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 10

Characters Present:

Alpátych
Dron
Princess Mary Bolkonskaya
Mademoiselle Bourienne
General Rameu

Location:

Boguchárovo 


Princess Mary is grieving alone for her father, but eventually, Mademoiselle Bourienne comes to weep with her.  Mademoiselle Bourienne hands over a letter from the French army, saying that General Rameu has offered to take them under his protection.

This announcement spurs Princess Mary into action, and she calls Dron (this is prior to Alpátych's conversation with him), to tell him to give Prince Andrew's grain to the peasants.  

She starts to worry about the French occupying her house and going through her brother and father's things. 

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 9

Characters Present:

Alpátych
Dron

Location:

Boguchárovo 

Alpátych goes on ahead to Boguchárovo, which is part of the Bolkónski holdings, to tell the peasants to abandon it and move into Moscow, as the French had unexpectedly made it closer than expected.

The Boguchárovovians had the reputation of being rather stubborn with a tendency to rebel against the ruling classes, and this is confirmed when Alpátych has some trouble convincing their leader, Dron, that they should pack up carts and leave.

Though he eventually gets a small agreement from Dron in the end, nothing has been done to affect the move by evening, and Alpátych readies himself to get the help of the police.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 8

Characters Present:

Old Prince Nicholas Bolkónski
Alpátych
Princess Mary Bolkónskaya

Location:

Bald Hill Estate, then Boguchárovo 


When Alpátych returns from Smolénsk, Prince Nicholas finally has the realisation that his household is in danger and everyone goes, except for Princess Mary, who refuses to leave her father, who is insisting on staying to defend Ball Hills.

Prince Nicholas then has a stroke, and becomes paralysed down one side his body, and loses the ability to speak very clearly.  

Princess Mary goes to sit with him, and he manages to tell her that he always thinks of her, thanks her for everything, then asks her to send for Andrew. Mary replies that she had a letter from Andrew saying that Smolénsk was lost, and Prince Nicholas begins to weep. 

Mary goes for a short walk in the garden, and the doctor comes out to say that the old prince has died.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 7

Characters Present:

Napoleon Bonaparte
Lavrúshka
Thiers
Nicholas Rostóv

Location:

Russia, Moscow

This chapter details the French historian, Thiers' account of Napoleon's battle-journey through Russia.  He says that Napoleon was drawn to Moscow against his will, by the Russian forces. 

It also details a conversation had between Napoleon and the Cossack, Lavrúska, where Napoleon pretends not to be Napoleon, and Lavrúska pretends not to know that he is Napoleon.

They have a circular conversation about who will win the war, then they part ways. 

Lavrúska returns to his master, Nicholas Rostóv, who takes him on a horse-ride around some neighbouring villages to Ilyín. 

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 6

Characters Present:

Anna Pávlovna
Countess Hélène Berzúkhova
General, Prince, Commander-in-Chief Kutúzov
Prince Vasíli Kurágin
Barclay de Tolley

Location:

Petersburg


The social circles are all gossiping about the war, and  Anna Pávlovna's circle has contradictory gossip to Countess Hélène Berzúkhova's social circle.

Prince Vasíli goes to visit Anna Pávlovna on several occasions, and General Kutúzov tends to be the topic of conversation.

Apparently Barclay de Tolley is doing a terrible job at commanding the army, but Kutúzov seems to be ok, though no one really commits to this idea.

Then, Kutúzov gets promoted to Prince Kutúzov, and then, on the same day, also promoted to Commander-in-Chief Kutúzov, even though the Tsar doesn't really like him. Kurágin says that he has always thought that Kutúzov was a man of great merit.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 5

Characters Present:

General Bagratión
Prince Andrew Bolkónski
Alpátych

Location:

Near Bald Hill Estate

Prince Andrew takes his regiment along the avenue leading to Bald Hill Estate.  Here he meets Alpátych, who is frightened, and also confirms that Old Prince Nicholas and Princess Mary have gone to Moscow.

He receives a letter from General Bagratión, saying that Smolénsk had fallen, though he didn't understand why, as his men found for 35 hours, and Napoleon's fell back after 14 hours.  General Bagratión goes on to say that the whole army is suspicious of the Imperial aide-de-camp, Wolzogen, and says that he is more Napoleon's man than Alexander's.

All the men go for a swim in the pond as the weather has been hot.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 4

Characters Present:

Dessalles
Alpátych
Princess Mary Bolkónskaya
Prince Andrew Bolkónski

Location:

Bald Hill Estate, then 40 miles away, in Smolénsk

Dessalles tells Princess Mary to send a letter via Alpátych to the governor in Smolénsk to ask advice as to whether they should leave Bald Hills or not, due to the fighting.

Alpátych arrives in Smolénsk, and the town is being abandoned, with sounds of firing getting closer, and chaos in the streets. 

He goes to visit the governor who gives him a letter to take back, which says that everything is fine in Smolénsk.

Alpátych then runs into Prince Andrew, who gives him another letter, saying that they should all go to Moscow.  

Alpáytch's innkeeper beats his wife to death for wanting to leave, and then houses start to burn down.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 3

Characters Present:

Old Prince Nicholas Bolkónski 

Location:

Bald Hill Estate



Old Prince Nicholas Bolkónski spends all evening in his study, preparing his final "remarks" which will be sent to the Tsar after he dies. He also wishes to send a note to the governor and orders paper to do it on.

He finally feels ready to go to bed, and has his servant move his bed around the halls, until he finds a place where he hasn't already slept, and spent too much time thinking terrible things. This place is in the corner behind the grand piano.

Prince Nicholas remembers that he received a letter from Prince Andrew at dinner, and it seems to dawn on him how close the French army is, and then he has a flashback to his time in the army.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 2

Characters Present:

Old Prince Nicholas Bolkónski 
Princess Mary Bolkónskaya
Mademoiselle Bourienne
Dessalles
Michael Ivánovich

Location:

Bald Hill Estate


Prince Nicolas blames Princess Mary for his argument with Prince Andrew, but appears to get over it within a week. He also ends his affair with Mademoiselle Bourienne.

He doesn't acknowledge that the war is happening, and makes plans to make improvements to the estate. 

A letter arrives from Prince Andrew, warning that the battle is extraordinarily close to Bald Hill Estate, but Prince Nicholas doesn't listen, and insists that the French won't make it beyond the Niemen River.

Everyone looks embarrassed.

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 1

Characters Present:

Napoleon Bonaparte
Tsar Alexander
Pfuel
General Bagratión
Petya Rostóv
Toll
Barclay de Tolley
Nevérovski

Location:

Russia

A general discussion of how the emperors approached the war, plus some highlights regarding army movement and town destruction.

Tsar Alexander left the army after a while, so that the men could be focused on one leader. 

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 22

Characters Present:

Count Pierre Bezukhov
Count Ilya Rostóv'
Tsar Alexander
Count Rostopchín
A whole lot of new and old military men - some in uniforms from Catherine's reign, some in uniforms from Alexander's reign.

Location: 

Slobóda Palace

Count Rostopchín enters the room to announce that the Emperor will soon join them and they had better come to some agreement.

The nobles all make a hasty agreement to build the army against Napoleon by providing and furnishing ten serfs from every thousand.

Alexander enters, and is overwhelmed with the support, and weeps during his speech.  

Pierre is so moved that he approaches Count Rostopchín, and pledges a thousand men and their maintenance. 

END OF BOOK 9

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 22

Characters Present:

Count Pierre Bezukhov
Count Ilya Rostóv
A whole lot of new and old military men - some in uniforms from Catherine's reign, some in uniforms from Alexander's reign.

Location: 

Slobóda Palace


There is an assembly of military men at Slobóda Palace, and the halls are full.

A general discussion takes place as to how the army may best serve Russia.  Pierre disagrees with some people, who, in turn, disagree with him.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 21

Characters Present:

Petya Rostóv

Location: 

Moscow

Petya sneaks out to go and see Tsar Alexander, who has just arrived in Moscow, meaning to petition him directly to join the army.

The crowds are too great though, and Petya gets a crushed.

He is revived by some church people and waits outside the building where the Emperor is eating, for the Emperor to come out and address the crowd.

When Petya returns home, he tells his father that he should be allowed to join the army, or he will run away. The following day, Count Rostóv starts to inquire about safe posts to where Petya could be sent.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 20

Characters Present:

Natasha Rostova
Count Pierre Bezukhov
Uncle Shinshín
Natasha Rostova
Count Ilya Rostóv
Sonya Rostova
Countess Natalya Rostova
Petya Rostóv

Location: 

A small dinner party at the Rostóv home

Pierre arrives at the Rostóv's, and enters to find Natasha singing alone.  They have a conversation full of unspoken words and blushing.

They join the rest of the family, who are discussing the war. Petya, who is now 15, begs his father to join the army, but is told that he is too young.

Pierre becomes agitated by Natasha's stares at him, and leaves. Natasha follows him out, asking if she has upset him, and he only manages to kiss her softly before leaving, intending not to return. 

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 19

Characters Present:

Natasha Rostova
Pierre Bezukhov


Location: 

Not at the Rostóv's, but somewhere nearby

Pierre realises that he has fallen in love with Natasha Rostova.

He also plays some number games with the French alphabet, and realises that Napoleon's name, when reduced to numbers, becomes reduced to 666, so Pierre concludes that Napoleon is the Antichrist and that the apocalypse will happen soon.

Pierre receives a list from the army of wounded, dead and awarded, and sees Nicholas Rostóv's name on there for bravery, and sends news to the Rostóvs. 

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 18

Characters Present:

Natasha Rostova

Location: 

The Razumóvskis' private chapel


Word has reached Moscow that Napoleon will trample the Russian army soon, and that this is the reason that Alexander is no longer in it. 

Natasha attends a service at the Razumóvskis' private chapel, where she reflects on her previous "bad" self, and her current "good" self.  

The deacon goes into a long monologue of prayer, including the following for the army - "...gird their loins with strength for the fight."

Natasha prays for forgiveness for her and everyone else, and prays for peace and happiness for herself, which is granted.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 17

Characters Present:

Natasha Rostova
Count Pierre Bezukhov
Agraféna Ivánovna Belóva


Location: 

The Rostóv home

Natasha's spirits are still a bit low, but recover sligthly when she spends time with Pierre. She doesn't feel that she could fall in love with him though, as he is a married man.

Agraféna Ivánovna Belóva, a country neighbour of the Rostóvs, suggests that Natasha starts to fast and prepare for holy communion, in the lead up to the end of the fast of St Peter.

Natasha attends church and so on, and feels her spirits begin to shift for the better.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 16

Characters Present:

Natasha Rostova
Countess Natalya Rostova 
Sonya Rostova
Lots of doctors and healers

Location: 

The Rostóv home, Moscow

Natasha's condition has worsened: she is thin, cannot eat and has little energy.

Countess Natalya Rostov joins her daughter, niece and husband in Moscow, and pays all sorts of medical people to come and see Natasha. There is nothing physically wrong with any of Natasha's organs, vital or otherwise, but they give her a lot of medication anyway, which is slightly harmful. 

One of the doctors notes that Natasha's condition is primarily mental, and sure enough, after some time, her grief begins to fade, and she starts to recover physically. 

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 15

Characters Present:

Nicholas Rostóv



Location: 

Somewhere near Ostróvna

Rostóv leads a charge on some French dragoons, and captures an officer, who has a dimple on his chin. 

He feels depressed and confused over the whole affair.

To add to his confusion, he is awarded a St. Georges Cross, and given command of a hussar battalion.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 14

Characters Present:

Nicholas Rostóv
Ilyín


Location: 

A tavern, somewhere near Vilna, then on a march to Ostróvna


It is 3am, and everyone is still up drinking.  

The quartermaster appears and tells them that they have to get ready to move to Ostróvna. 

They march, and then end up in a battle with the French.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 13

Characters Present:

Nicholas Rostóv
Ilyín
Mary Hendríkovna
Dr Hendríkov


Location: 

A tavern, somewhere near Vilna 

Nicholas and and Ilyín arrive at the tavern, and find Mary Hendríkovna, who is married to the present, but sleeping, regiment doctor.

All of the soldiers flirt with Mary, and she enjoys the attention.  Her husband wakes up from pretending to be asleep, and is cranky about the flirting.  All of the officers find it hilarious.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 12

Characters Present:

Nicholas Rostóv
Zdrzhinski
Ilyín


Location: 

Somewhere near Vilna 

Nicholas is still in the army, and receives a letter from his father, Count Ilyá Rostóv, explaining what had happened to Natasha, and begging him to return home.

Nicholas replies that he cannot leave the army, and in a separate letter to Sonya, says that he would love to leave the army to come and be with her, but he cannot for he would be shamed by his fellow army men. 

It begins to rain, and Nicholas and his protégé, Ilyín, construct a make-shift shelter, and are visited by Zdrzhinski, who is a close-talker who begins to tell a braggy tale about his last enemy encounter.

Nicholas gets irritated, and Ilyín declares that he cannot take anymore of the rain (supposedly), and runs off to find better shelter.  He returns moments later, and rescues Nicholas to a nearby tavern, and Zdrzhinski leaves.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 11

Characters Present:

Tsar Alexander
Prince Andrew Bolkónski
Pfuel
Chernyshev
Marquis Paulucci
Prince Peter Mikháylovic Volkónski
General Armfelt
Baron Stein
Wolzogen


Location: 

Bennigsen's quarters

All of the men present have a heated discussion about strategy against Napoleon, who is now regarded with terror.

At the end of the meeting, Prince Andrew is asked where he would like to serve. He chooses to serve in the army instead of serving Tsar Alexander directly, and loses his social standing forever in Russia.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 10

Characters Present:

Prince Andrew Bolkónski
Pfuel - A German theorist general

Location: 

Bennigsen's quarters

Prior to the letter being delivered to Alexander, Prince Andrew is summoned to see him at Bennigsen's quarters to discuss the events in Turkey. 

Andrew meets Pfuel there, who is described as having typical German confidence (which is more repulsive than the other confidences) drawn from a belief in truth and science.

There is then a description of where other nationalities draw their confidence from: the Italians from being excitable; the French for being sure that both men and women find them attractive; the English from being from the best organised state; and finally, the Russians, who draw their confidence from knowing that they do not know anything and do not believe that there is anything to be known.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 9

Characters Present:

Prince Andrew Bolkónski

Location: 

The Army

Prince Andrew rejoins the army, and learns what each of the eight factions are about.

Anatole Kurágin is still not about, and Andrew learns that he has returned to Petersburg.

One of the factions wishes for Tsar Alexander to quit the army, and a letter is written to that effect.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 8

Characters Present:

Prince Andrew Bolkónski
Anatole Kurágin
General Kutúzov
Old Prince Nicholas Bolkónski,
Princess Mary Bolkónskaya
Mademoiselle Bourienne
Prince Nicholas Bolkónski

Location: 

Russia, then Turkey, then Bald Hill Estate

Prince Andrew rejoins the army under General Kutúzov, hoping to run unto Anatole, so that he can challenge him to a duel about something new, as to not further tarnish Natasha's name. 

He is unsuccessful, and eventually returns to Bald Hill Estate. Andrew finds everything much the same there: Princess Mary unhappy; his father still cantankerous but now missing a tooth; and Mademoiselle Bourienne still influencing matters where she should have no influence. He does find that his son, Nicholas has grown, and looks much like his late wife.

Prince Andrew has a fight with his father, and leaves the following day to return to the army without saying goodbye, despite Mary begging him to stay and speak to him, as the old prince might die soon.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 7

Characters Present:

Adjutant-General Baláshev
Napoleon Bonaparte 
Bessiérs
Caulauncourt
Berthier

Location: 

Vílna

Despite Baláshev thinking that he would not see Napoleon again, was invited to dine with him and some others that very evening. 

Napoleon is most pleasant throughout the meal, treating Baláshev as one of his own courtiers instead of someone associated with the enemy. 

Eventually Baláshev is taken aside by Napoleon who asks why Alexander has surrounded himself by his personal enemies, to which Baláshev does not reply.

Baláshev thinks that Napoleon is working himself up to another rant, but Napoleon instead tugs Baláshev's earlobe - the highest mark of honour to have bestowed on one by a French emperor. 

The letter that Baláshev takes to Alexander is the last that Napoleon ever sends to him, and it relays the details of Baláshev's interview with him, including the ear-tugging.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 6

Characters Present:

Adjutant-General Baláshev
Napoleon Bonaparte 

Location: 

Vílna

Baláshev is finally taken to see Napoleon, who is cordial to him at first and insists that he has not started the war. 

Baláshev tries to negotiate the Russian position with him several times but gives up as Napoleon descends into a shouty rant about how the Russians will crushed by his magnificent army.

At the end of his rant, Napoleon says that he is still as devoted to Alexander as he was before, and that he shall prepare a letter for Baláshev to take to him.

Volume 2: Book 9 - Chapter 5

Characters Present:

Adjutant-General Baláshev
Marshal Davoût

Location: 

A peasant's hut, then Vílna

Baláshev is taken to Marshal Davoút, who is described as being to Napoleon as Arachéev was to Alexander - that is high ranking, but as present as a wolf is in nature, which how he kept his position with gentle, noble Alexander, despite being precise, cruel and cowardly in the face of danger. 

Davoût continues to write at a makeshift desk outside a peasant's hut as Baláshev approaches, and the more animated Baláshev seems, the longer Davoût ignores him.

Eventually Baláshev manages to explain his rank and purpose, which makes Davoût even less respectful, and he takes the missive from Alexander. 

Baláshev is led around with the French for a few days, and is eventually taken back to the very house in Vílna that he had been dispatched from four days earlier, to have an audience with Napoleon.  The French had taken the village.