Tale of Tales - Movie Review

Okay guys! So this is going to be rather new. I usually focus on writing reviews solely geared towards books; however, I noticed that in watching a lot of movies I really want to write down my thoughts and opinions so I've decided to start doing movie reviews on this blog. If you are looking for the reviews be sure to look under my tab entitle "reviews" and you will see a section solely dedicated to movies. Enjoy!

Director: Matteo Garrone 

Actors/Actresses: 

• King of Longtrellis: John C. Reilly 
• Queen of Longtrellis: Salma Hayek 
• King of Strongcliff: Vincent Cassel 
• King of Highhills: Toby Jones
• Imma: Shirley Henderson 
• Dora: Hayley Carmichael 
• Young Dora: Stacy Martin 
• Elias (Prince of Longtrellis): Christian Lees
• Jonah: Jonah Lees
• Violet (Princess of Highhills): Bebe Cave

Genre: Fantasy 

Rating: R

Brief Plot Analysis: Tale of Tales is an extremely fascinating story of three main plots based heavily on fairy tales. One focused on the desire of the queen to have a child, another focuses on a king's obsession with a flea, whereas another king cannot seem to satisfy his sexual appetite. In the end, these three stories tie into one and illustrate to the viewer what happens when you allow your passions to consume you. The plot is not something that always has a clear purpose; however, it does make for a pretty interesting film. 

Queen of Longtrellis

Film Features: The film had some really interesting features especially the locations where the film took place. The scenery was gorgeous and aided in giving the viewer the full experience.  The costumes overall gave the same effect. They were perfect for the setting and gave the film a timeless feeling. Overall, the cinematography of the film was spectacular. I only had a slight issue with the special effects. At times they didn't seem realistic and almost took away from the overall atmosphere of the movie.

Violet 

Characters: This movie had the most interesting array of characters I have ever seen from the kings and queens down to the village people. My favorite character took form in Violet. She was so strong and determined not settle for decisions made on her behalf. After all, she was stuck with a pretty crappy person as her father. In terms of the characters I liked the least, I must say it was a tie between two: King of Strongcliff and the Queen of Longtrellis. The king was only driven by physical appearance and I was so upset that he didn't have to answer to that in the end. He was a shallow pig and he ultimately messes up the lives of two people. The queen was just as if not more calculating. I understand being desperate for a child, but my goodness, she was willing to kill or harm anyone and anything to get what she wanted and in the end she still wasn't satisfied. It just seems as if her wants and needs destroyed more than they helped and in the end the viewer does get the opportunity to see the

Imma & Dora

destruction come full circle.

Overall Thoughts: This turned out to be one of those movies I just couldn't explain. I literally sat on my bed for several minutes and thought "what did I just watch?" It wasn't that the movie was bad or that I didn't enjoy it, I just don't think it is a type of movie that can be explained to another individual. You kind of have to see the movie for itself to understand where the director was heading with this production. I honestly don't even know what made me check this out from the library. It just looked like a fairy tale re-telling that I would possibly be interested in. What I can say is that I'll probably end up watching it again. It was thought provoking enough that I think it needs a second viewing to fully understand all of its components.

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Graphic Novel/Comic Book Mini Reviews #1

Hey lovely bloggers and readers! I'm going to be doing a couple of mini reviews in which I analyze and review three to four comics or graphic novels. They're short enough for me to review them in groups instead of doing single reviews. So let's go ahead and get started. Today's mash up will include Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Blood, Dead Class Vol. 1: Reagan Youth, Gotham Academy Vol. 2: Calamity, and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 1: Squirrel Power.

Goodreads | Amazon

Title: Wonder Woman Vol. 1 - Blood 

# of Pages: 160

Published: 2012 

Source: Library Copy 

Summary: Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, has kept a secret from her daughter all her life – and when Wonder Woman learns who her father is, her life will shatter like brittle clay. The only one more shocked than Diana by this revelation? Bloodthirsty Hera – so why is her sinister daughter, Strife, so eager for the truth to be told? Superstar writer Brian Azzarello creates a new direction for one of DC's best-known heroes, with spectacular art by Cliff Chiang and Tony Akins!

Before reading this comic I didn't know much about Wonder Woman. I had heard of her, but I never knew anything about her origin story. Utilizing DC's newly launched line "DC New 52," I decided to pick up the first volume and it turns out that I ended up loving it! The artwork was crisp and vivid and beautiful. If you are unfamiliar with Wonder Woman then it would be good to know that she is the byproduct of a relationship between the Amazons and a Greek god (I don't want to spoil with specifics). As a result, Wonder Woman, also known as Diana, faces a number of challenges and adventures. If you are a huge fan of superheros and mythology then this is the comic book to check out. It doesn't hurt that Diana is a strong, bad ass leading lady. 

Goodreads | Amazon 

Title: Deadly Class Vol. 1- Reagan Youth 

# of Pages: 160 

Published: 2014 

Source: Library Copy 

Summary: It’s 1987. Marcus Lopez hates school. His grades suck. The jocks are hassling his friends. He can’t focus in class. But the jocks are the children of Joseph Stalin’s top assassin, the teachers are members of an ancient league of assassins, the class he's failing is “Dismemberment 101,” and his crush has a double-digit body count. Welcome to the most brutal high school on earth, where the world’s top crime families send the next generation of assassins to be trained. Murder is an art. Killing is a craft. At Kings Dominion School for the Deadly Arts, the dagger in your back isn’t always metaphorical. 

This comic book is probably one of the most interesting comics I've read all year. It combines 80's pop culture with assassins. It truly makes for a unique combination. Deadly Class solely focuses on a group of kids, all children of  world renowned assassins, and their journey through a specifically placed school run by an ancient league of assassins. It's graphic and violent as it does solely focus on the art and craft of killing and murdering. Yet, the comic continued to hold my interest as the main character Marcus Lopez attempts to navigate his way through his new school and new friends. The artwork is gritty and often dark, but I still liked it. I could appreciate what the writer and illustrator were attempting to do. I fully enjoyed this comic and would recommend to anyone who likes action and adventure with a dash of 80's pop culture. 

Goodreads | Amazon

Title: Gotham Academy Vol. 2 - Calamity 

# of Pages: 144

Published: 2016 

Source: Library Copy 

Summary: Olive has received information that her mother might be alive—and now, she and her friends must investigate! Of course werewolves, ghosts, and new student Damian Wayne won’t make it easy!

I wasn't originally sure how I would feel about Gotham Academy, but I enjoyed the first volume and this volume even better. What was most intriguing about this volume was the level of intricacy involved in the story-line. The reader finally gets to learn more about Olivia, her mom, and family. What's beautiful about the way this comic is constructed is the character development. Maps grows up so much in this volume compared to her character in the first volume. She's more empowered and takes more of a leadership role. In addition to this, the artwork is clean cut and bright/vivid. As with the first volume we are also able to see the inclusion of other DC characters which is always a nice touch of nostalgia for people who are accustomed to consistently reading DC. The plot was quick paced and definitely included a variety of elements to me entertained. 

Title: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 1 - Squirrel Power 

# of Pages: 128

Published: 2015

Source: Library Copy 

Summary: Wolverine, Deadpool, Doctor Doom, Thanos: There's one hero that's beaten them all-and now she's got her own ongoing series! (Not that she's bragging.) That's right, you asked for it, you got it, it's SQUIRREL GIRL! (She's also starting college this semester.) It's the start of a brand-new set of adventures starring the nuttiest and most upbeat super hero in the world!

This was and remains one of my least favorite comics I've read to date. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for girl power, but the plot of this comic simply did not draw me in. I initially read the first issue and didn't care for it that much so I shouldn't have been surprised when I felt the same way about the complete first volume. I don't know what it was but both the plot and the characters seemed too childish for my liking . Parts of it that were supposed to be funny were relatively dry and not entertaining. Squirrel Girl is just too hyper for my liking and she doesn't seem to have any real super powers except that she's part squirrel. Nevertheless, the art work was great. That turned out to be the comic's redeeming quality. Other than that this comic wasn't for me and I highly doubt I will pick up any future volumes. 

.5

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Friday #56, #18 Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by April Genevieve Tucholke

The Friday #56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Join in every Friday and share an excerpt from a book you've been reading. Here are the rules:

• Grab a book 
• Turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader
• Find any sentence (or a few, don't spoil it) 

**Be sure to post the links to your Friday #56 below!

Happy Reading!

Okay so this week I decided to go with a Halloween based books since it's right around the corner. The book I'm currently reading in addition to a million others is Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by April Genevieve Tucholke. This book is a compilation of short YA short stories written by a host of authors including Stefan Bachman, Kendare Blake, Jay Kristoff, Jonathan Maberry, Carrie Ryan, Nova Ren Suma, April Genevieve Tucholke, Leigh Bardugo, A.G. Howard, Marie Lu, Danielle Paige, Megan Shepherd, McCormick Templeman, and Cat Winters. So far I've read about 50% of the stories in this and some of them are amazing....others not so much. So in this Friday 56 you'll get part of a short story. I hope you enjoy! 

"The girls had begun to decay, taking on a sickly smell that reached deeper and deeper into the forest with the passage of time. Where in the beginning their skin had been ugly shades of brown and pink splotched with swaths of purple where the blood had initially settled, now their bodies swelled and stretched." 

This quote came from the short story "In the Forest Dark and Deep." It actually is one of my favorites of the entire book and is inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Other a bit gory at times I loved how creepy the story was. If you haven't read this book before definitely give it a try.

A host of the smartest young adult authors come together in this collection of scary stories and psychological thrillers curated by Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’s April Genevieve Tucholke.

Each story draws from a classic tale or two—sometimes of the horror genre, sometimes not—to inspire something new and fresh and terrifying. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror to supernatural creatures to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for any reader looking for a thrill.

Fans of TV’s The Walking Dead, True Blood, and American Horror Story will tear through tales by these talented authors:

Stefan Bachmann
Leigh Bardugo
Kendare Blake
A. G. Howard
Jay Kristoff
Marie Lu
Jonathan Maberry
Danielle Paige
Carrie Ryan
Megan Shepherd
Nova Ren Suma
McCormick Templeman
April Genevieve Tucholke
Cat Winters

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#Bookblogvember: November Blogging Challenge

If you guys didn't know there is an AWESOME blog challenge going on during the month of November that encourages participants to write 30 blog posts during the month. This doesn't mean you have to post every day, but the ultimate goal is to write every single day. This challenge is being hosted by Jade over at Bedtime Bookworm.

Here are the GUIDELINES for the blog challenge:

• 1. Post on your blog every day in November
• maybe you write every day
• or maybe you just write on the weekends!
• 2. Write a blog post every day
• but don’t necessarily post one every day
• 3. If you’re really behind on book reviews (like me), try to write one book review a day
• if you don’t have a blog, this could work on any reviewing platform

These are just a few options, but hopefully you get the idea! Book Blogvember is meant to be very flexible. This way you can use it as motivation to get done what YOU need (or want) to get done in the month of November. Ideally, what you write is generally related to book blogging or reviewing, but other types of posts are welcome as well! Do what you want  - As Stated by Jade : ) 

What do I plan on doing??

• Like many bloggers I am extremely behind on reviews. My goal for this challenge is to write 30 reviews for books that I have read this year so I can catch up. Unfortunately, even after writing these 30 reviews I'll still be behind on my list that I wanted to complete. But I think something is definitely better than nothing. 
• Post at least 3 times a week. I definitely want to start posting more and engaging with the people I follow that already host blogs. I've done really bad with this this year and I at least want to get into better habits before the year is over with. 
• Create a post schedule. During the month of November I actually want to sit down and schedule my posts that way I can see what I want to discuss and what I don't. 

In addition to this, Jade is also hosting a Twitter Chat on December 2nd at 6 PM PST (9 PM EST) so participants can discuss their blogvember journey. If you haven't already signed up for this fantastic challenge be sure to do so soon. 

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Top 10 Tuesday: Horror Novels

It's Tuesday so you know that means another Top 10 Tuesday hosted by the girls over at the Broke and the Bookish. This weeks theme is Halloween related so you can choose any topic that fits into that category including scary books, movies, book covers, etc. I chose to go with my top favorite horror novels, comics, & manga!! I hope you guys enjoy. : )

Locke & Key Series: Okay if you haven't read the Locke & Key series by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez you definitely need to check them out. They are the epitome of horror! The artwork is great and the story line is even better.

The Diviners: Only book I've ever read in my lifetime that has giving me legitimate nightmares and made my skin crawl. If you are looking for a beautifully written historical horror book then I would recommend this one for you.

Monster: I just recently read this manga and I can genuinely say that it is AMAZING! I devoured it and finished it in less than a day. If you are looking for a manga that includes horror, suspense, and some thriller elements then I recommend this manga.

Carrie: This is a classic. The book and the movie are amazing and if you haven't read Stephen King yet this is a great place to start.

The Walking Dead: No words are needed to even attempt to describe this article. Whether you are in to TV shows or comic books. This is definitely a must around Halloween time. 

Revival: This is a rather unheard of comic, but it's definitely worth the read. If you like zombies I would suggest picking this one up.

Goosebumps: I mean this is genuinely a classic children's series and really creep considering the age group it's written for. If you haven't read a goosebumps book you definitely should check them out. They are short and quick, yet entertaining reads. 

Wytches: I don't have much to say about this one except that it was the creepiest comic I have read all year. If you haven't read it then you are definitely missing out. 

Dracula: It's a classic and I know a lot of people don't like classics, but trust me when I say that this one is AMAZING. 

The Woods: I binged this whole comic series in a matter of months and now I'm all caught up. If you like mystery, suspense, aliens, and creepy things in general The Woods is the perfect comic to check out. 

What are some creepy books you read during Halloween?! Let me know in the comment box below! : ) 

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Six Days in Leningrad by Paullina Simons

Hey guys!! I'm back with another blog tour! Today, as a part of the TLC Book Tours, I will be giving a review of the memoir Six Days in Leningrad by Paullina Simons. Keep reading for the review and information about where to purchase the book and information about the author.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Publication: September 20. 2016 by HarperCollins

# of Pages: 432

Source: Publisher for Honest Review 

From the author of the celebrated, internationally bestselling The Bronze Horseman saga comes a glimpse into the private life of its much loved creator, and the real story behind the epic novels. Paullina Simons gives us a work of non-fiction as captivating and heart-wrenching as the lives of Tatiana and Alexander. 

Only a few chapters into writing her first story set in Russia, her mother country, Paullina Simons travelled to Leningrad (now St Petersburg) with her beloved Papa. What began as a research trip turned into six days that forever changed her life, the course of her family, and the novel that became The Bronze Horseman. After a quarter-century away from her native land, Paullina and her father found a world trapped in yesteryear, with crumbling stucco buildings, entire families living in seven-square-metre communal apartments, and barren fields bombed so badly that nothing would grow there even fifty years later. And yet there were the spectacular white nights, the warm hospitality of family friends and, of course, the pelmeni and caviar.

At times poignant, at times inspiring and funny, this is both a fascinating glimpse into the inspiration behind the epic saga, and a touching story of a family's history, a father and a daughter, and the fate of a nation.

I want to start this review by saying that I have not yet read The Bronze Horseman, but after reading the journey of Paullina Simons and her father through Leningrad I'm anxious to dive right into that book. If you are looking for a memoir that includes not only past and modern history, but also a story of cultural identity, passion, understanding, and more then this is definitely a memoir that should be placed high on your to be read list. 

Ms. Simons is best known for her work on The Bronze Horseman. It is quite frequently mentioned across several social media networks including Twitter, Youtube, and Instagram. With such a poignant novel, this memoir definitely gives the reader insight to her inspiration between the world created in that book. What was most rewarding about this novel was watching Simons journey back to a country that hasn't changed much since twenty years prior when she left. It is stricken with poverty exhibiting the inability of the country to keep up with modern times. Although this aspect of the book was heartbreaking I was able to relate to her experience. Coming from a family that has roots in Jamaica, I, too, have seen what extreme poverty can do to both a country and its people. I have nothing but good memories of being in Jamaica; however, some of my family members like Paullina's father have tried very hard to forget their own experiences. It is fortunate that Simons was able to take her experiences both negative and positive and create such an amazing work of art in the form of a novel. I really appreciated being able to watch her come to terms with her American experience opposed to her Russian experience. A lot of times seeing the difficulties of one nation can make an individual appreciate all the things that their nation is able to provide. For example, there were a few days in Jamaica that we went without running water and I was forced to take a shower out of a bucket. It did not dawn on me then, but having the opportunity to shower with running water everyday is something I no longer take for granted. 

What I can say about this novel is that it provides beautiful insight not only to Simons life, but also her travel experiences and the early stages of writing her novel. It's not often that a reader is provided with the opportunity to see the inspiration behind an authors work of art. The last thing I believe that really made appreciate this memoir was the development of the relationship between Simons and her father. It changed and evolved throughout the novel and in my opinion I truly believe that they learned a lot from each other. It's not common that you get to see that included in a book that already contains so many different elements. If you are a history buff, a fan of Simons, or just curious about how an author develops the plot line for their novel I would definitely recommend picking this up. It contains a little of bit of everything and really makes the reader appreciate the journey one must take to confront the past to assist in the building of a future. 

Paullina Simons is an internationally bestselling

author whose novels include Bellagrand and The Bronze Horseman was born in Leningrad in 1963. As a child she immigrated to Queens, New York, and attended colleges in Long Island. Then she moved to England and attended Essex University, before returning to America. She lives in New York with her husband and children.

Find out more about Paullina at her website, follow her on Twitter, and connect with her on Facebook.

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Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

Published: 2012

# of Pages: 410

Source: Purchased Copy 

Elisa is a hero.

She led her people to victory over a terrifying, sorcerous army. Her place as the country's ruler should be secure. But it isn't.

Her enemies come at her like ghosts in a dream, from foreign realms and even from within her own court. And her destiny as the chosen one has not yet been fulfilled.

To conquer the power she bears, once and for all, Elisa must follow a trial of long-forgotten—and forbidden—clues, from the deep, hidden catacombs of her own city to the treacherous seas. With her go a one-eyed spy, a traitor, and the man whom—despite everything—she is falling in love with.

If she's lucky, she will return from this journey. But there will be a cost.

Please be aware that this is the second book in the series; therefore, there may be spoilers. 

Okay let's just say that this book is full of nothing but badassness (I don't even know if that's a legitimate word)! I usually write my book reviews in a style where I talk about what I like and what I dislike; however, this book is too freaking fantastic and there definitely was nothing that I disliked about it. So let's go ahead and get into the gushing.

First thing, Elisa is my sole hero. I don't think I've ever found a female character that is the epitome of character development. It's like Rae Carson wrote her in a way that she just keeps getting better and better. In this novel she really takes ownership of her life and destiny. She just has this strong personality that is determined to not only protect herself, but also her people and kingdom. A character that appreciated as much as I appreciated Elisa was definitely Hector. I love a man that is strong enough to acknowledge how great of a ruler a woman can be and how strong she can be. He definitely serves as a strong support system for Elisa and I can't help to mention that they are my ship of choice without a doubt. A character that lost me in this novel was Ximena. I really did grow to love and admire her in the first book, but in this one, especially with her decision at the end, I just could not find it in my spirit to forgive her for the betrayal, but I guess I'll have to see where Carson takes me in the third book. 

The plot of the is book was definitely engaging and fast-paced. There were no boring moments or moments where the book seemed to drag on. Carson kept the drama rolling in with plenty of plot twists and surprises to satisfy everyone. She was brilliantly able to incorporate the new characters in with the old as if they were always there. And her writing style was fluid and beautiful. It left me wanting more of the story and the characters. 

Overall, I think that Rae Carson did a wonderful job with this book. The character development was exceptional and the writing style paired with the fast moving plot made for a wonderful story. I'm truly looking forward to reading the conclusion to this wonderful trilogy. 

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Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Published: 1877

# of Pages: 838

Source: Purchased Copy 

Described by William Faulkner as the best novel ever written and by Fyodor Dostoevsky as “flawless,” Anna Karenina tells of the doomed love affair between the sensuous and rebellious Anna and the dashing officer, Count Vronsky. Tragedy unfolds as Anna rejects her passionless marriage and must endure the hypocrisies of society. 

Set against a vast and richly textured canvas of nineteenth-century Russia, the novel's seven major characters create a dynamic imbalance, playing out the contrasts of city and country life and all the variations on love and family happiness.

While previous versions have softened the robust, and sometimes shocking, quality of Tolstoy's writing, Pevear and Volokhonsky  have produced a translation true to his powerful voice. This authoritative edition, which received the PEN Translation Prize and was an Oprah Book Club™ selection, also includes an illuminating introduction and explanatory notes. Beautiful, vigorous, and eminently readable, this Anna Karenina will be the definitive text for fans of the film and generations to come.

I must start this review by saying that Anna Karenina was and still remains the only exposure that I have had to Russian literature in my short life of twenty-five years. And it definitely was a brilliant, marvelous introduction to the beautiful writing and an intricate story-line. Because there is so much to cover in terms of this massive novel I have broken it down into several different categories I want to address.

Plot: This novel has one of the most complex plot lines I have read in a while. It deals with seven different major characters all who have their own perspective of day to day life as a Russian. I must say that I definitely enjoyed every aspect of the plot from the slow points to the areas where Tolstoy's writing seemed to be moving his plot with a sense of urgency. If I could give any advice to an individual reading Russian literature and Tolstoy for the first time I would definitely remind them to have a sense of patience. Tolstoy crafts his novel in a way that allows the reader to see every single detail and scenario that leads up to the final developments associated with the plot line. As result sometimes the plot seems to move a slow rate and can seem to drag on and on; however, I will give him credit and say that every piece of detail is worth it. Even more amazing about the plot is the fact that the tone of the novel changes with each major character. You, as a reader, really get the opportunity to feel how each character perceives their personal lives as well as the lives of others in 19th century Russia. 

Writing: Tolstoy's writing...there is so much to be said about the writing of this man. In my personal opinion I think it's brilliant. He writes with such fluidity and detail that you feel as though you're living in 19th century Russia with the main characters. You feel a part of the cultural, political, and economic scene. There was a scene in particular during a section that focused on the character of Levin and his journey with cutting grass. Naturally to anyone, reading about cutting grass sounds painfully boring; however, for some reason Tolstoy made it the most interesting task and it turned out to be a relatively calming passage. After reading that section I knew that Tolstoy was a lyrical writer and genius and I must eventually check out some of his other books (War & Peace : D ).

Characters: Tolstoy was able to create a unique world/setting with the invention of his characters. There are many that play a role in this massive novel; however, there are seven in particular that hold the most unique or interesting roles. 

• Anna Karenina: She was probably one of my least favorite characters hands down. Sometimes I liked her and other times she drove me crazy. I think it had a lot to do with wanting to "eat her cake and have it too." I know she was unhappy and wanted to leave her relationship; however, it seemed to me that she didn't take her son into consideration. And the ending made me feel that way even more. 
• Levin: He definitely was my favorite character out of every one. He was interesting on all accounts and made everything more fun to read. Not only was he interesting, but he also introduced me as a reader to Russian politics, agriculture, finance, cultural lifestyle, business, etc. And each time a passage appeared with him it I looked forward to learning something new. 
• Alexei Karenin: I don't really know how to express my feelings about Alexei. I felt sorry for him, but at the same time I didn't. I think he was hurting at the fact that he lost his wife; however, I think in some instances he treated her too harshly. 
• Vronsky: I think he is right in the same category as Anna. I did not like the idea that he led Kitty on and then decided that he instead wanted to be with a married woman who he couldn't really fully support emotionally, mentally, or financially. It just caused my drama and uneasiness then was necessary. In my mind I think Vronsky was simply looking for a good time and ended up in a situation he did not expect. 
• Stiva Oblonsky: Okay let's just admit it. Stiva was hilarious! He definitely was unfaithful to his wife Dolly and hurt her in more ways than one, but he was also the reason why Vronsky and Anna met in the first place. Had he not had an affair with the nanny I don't think any of the misfortunes of this novel would have occurred. 
• Kitty: I loved watching her grow as a character and into a woman. She had her heart broken by another character, but it was great to know she found solace within another. 
• Dolly: I did not like or dislike Dolly. I think most of the time I just felt extremely sorry for her. Oblonsky treated her awfully and I commend Dolly for being so strong about it, but at the same time I wouldn't have stayed with him.  

Overall: This novel was mesmerizing, captivating and everything I could have asked for in an  introduction to Russian literature. Tolstoy writes in such a captivating manner it's hard to put his work down and I look forward to reading more works by him. If you are looking for a great introduction to Russian literature I definitely recommend this book. Remember to be patient and take your time and really take in everything that Tolstoy is trying to introduce to the reader.

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