War and Peace
(Leo Tolstoy)

Here are the Main Characters of War and Peace, organized by family. This is probably the best way to remember them. Also, some pronunciation tips are included by the hardest names. When it comes to pronunciation, however, don't stress too much. Remember that in Russian, these names weren't even originally spelled with the English alphabet, so their true pronunciation includes sounds that don't exist in English. (Also, depending on the translation you read, the names might be spelled differently. Andrei might be Andrey, for example, or Liza might be Lisa. We tried to stay with one spelling all the way through.)

The Bolkonsky (bowl-CONE-skii) Family

Prince Bolkonsky

From an honorable family in Russia, this is Andrey and Marya's father. He's an old man at the beginning of the book, and he actually dies by the end. He loves order and learning.

Andrei (an-DREY)

He is heir of his father's estate. He is an intellectual. He treats his wife badly at the beginning of the novel, but after he death, he goes through some radical changes.

Marya (MAR-ya)

Andrei's sister, Marya faithfully raises Andrei's son after Liza's death. She also stays with her father, even when he makes her feel horrible all the time. She is very religious and loyal to a fault.

Other, less common characters in this family include: Liza, Andrei's wife who dies giving birth to their only child; Andrei's son, named Nikolushka and later Nikolinka; Madamoiselle Bourienne, a Frenchwoman that lives with the family, a little like a servant.

The Bezuhov (beh-ZOO-hof) Family

Count Bezuhov

An old man who, when about to die, leaves all his riches to his illegitimate son, Pierre.

Pierre

A major hero of the novel. He inherits a vast estate, even when he would have never expected to. He's very intellectual. He's basically coerced into marrying a beautiful but unfaithful wife. He leaves her and becomes a Mason. He's progress through the novel illustrates Tolstoy's philosophies.

The Rostov (rus-TOHF) Family

The Rostovs are by far the most functional and close-knit family in the novel. Even when they go through horrible financial circumstances, they manages to be happy and lean on each other for support.

Count Rostov

Nikolai and Natasha's father, a loving and good-natured man.

Countess Rostov

The count's wife, who is a typical noblewoman of the time. She wants the best for her children, and she is always trying to protect them.

Natasha

A major heroine of the novel, Natasha begins as a young girl but then grows into a beautiful young woman. She is notably happy and positive about things in life, which is probably why she is hurt so bad by Anatole's manipulations.

Nikolai

The oldest son of the Rostov family, Nikolai becomes an officer in the army. He fights in war, hoping to gain glory as a hero, but he soon accepts that he is but a cog in the great machine of humanity.

Other, less common characters in this family include: Vera, the eldest daughter, who marries Berg; Petya the youngest child, who is excited to join the army, but is killed in battle; Sonya a poor cousin who was taken in by the Rostovs; Boris, a friend of the Countess, who starts in the novel as a nobody and becomes a career military officer.

The Kuragin (cure-AWG-in) Family

Prince Vassily (vas-SILLY)

Hellene and Anatole's father, Vassily is an experienced courtier who works to make a good life for his children.

Anatole (ana-TOLL-eh)

Son of Vassily, Anatole is very handsome and he knows it. He tries to seduce Natasha.

Helene

A woman known for her great beauty, Helene marries Pierre, only to immediately start cheating on him. She dies of mysterious causes, officially from a heart attack.