The Tolstoy Library

In which the Rostóv family prepares with great bustle and excitement to attend a grand New Year’s ball in the imperial capital, navigating the delicate arts of dress and social etiquette under the wat...

26 Jul 8min

In which an imperial ball unfolds with all its intricacies of decorum and restless anticipation, capturing the varying fortunes of those gathered as they await their turn to dance. Amid the grand spec...

26 Jul 8min

In which young Natásha experiences with tender wonder the dazzling splendour and social intricacies of her first grand ball in Petersburg, her heart fluttering amidst the radiant crowd and glittering ...

26 Jul 7min

In which a visit from Borís, now a rising figure in high society, stirs quietly shifting affections and unspoken intentions between him and the spirited young Natásha, who has grown markedly since the...

25 Jul 6min

In which the gentle intimacy of a late-night conversation between mother and daughter unfolds, revealing the tender complexities of young Natásha’s heart and her quiet yearning for connection, framed ...

25 Jul 9min

In which the Rostóv family, whose fortunes have waned, find themselves navigating the contrasting society of Petersburg with a mixture of old acquaintances and new, less certain connections, while Vér...

25 Jul 9min

In which Pierre is engulfed by a profound melancholy, receiving letters and visits that press him towards reconciliation, yet he finds little strength to act amid his despondency. Seeking counsel from...

24 Jul 8min

In which the society of Petersburg is depicted with gentle satire, highlighting the brilliant and beguiling Countess Hélène’s ascendancy in the Napoleonic circle and the curious dynamics of her salon,...

24 Jul 6min