Character guide

Pierre Bezúkhov

major

Also known as Monsieur Pierre, Bezúkhov, Count Pyotr Kirílych Bezúkhov, Comte Pierre Besouhoff

The illegitimate son of a wealthy count who unexpectedly inherits his fortune, navigating society and searching for meaning.

Prince Andrei Bolkónski

major

Also known as Prince Andréy Nikoláevich Bolkónski, Andréy, Prince Andr√ © y

An intelligent, ambitious prince who leaves his family to seek glory in the military, disillusioned by high society.

Natásha Rostóva

major

Also known as Natásha, Countess Natásha, Nat√ ° sha

The lively, romantic youngest daughter of the Rostóv family, whose heart and fortunes drive much of the plot.

Nikoláy Rostóv

major

Also known as Count Nikoláy Ilyítch Rostóv, Nikoláy, young Rostóv, Nicolas Rostóv

The Rostóvs' eldest son, a young hussar officer who experiences the realities of war and family duty.

Princess Márya Bolkónskaya

major

Also known as Princess Márya Nikoláevna Bolkónskaya, Princess Márya, Márya, Princess MГЎrya

The devout, kind-hearted sister of Prince Andrei, living under the stern rule of their father at Bald Hills.

Napoleon Bonaparte

supporting

Also known as Bonaparte, the Emperor Napoleon, Buonaparte

The Emperor of France, whose invasion of Russia serves as the historical backdrop for the novel's events.

Mikhail Kutúzov

supporting

Also known as General Mikháil Ilariónovich Kutúzov, Kutúzov, Field Marshal Kutúzov, Count Kutúzov

The veteran, weary Russian commander-in-chief who opposes Napoleon's invasion in 1812.

Count Ilyá Rostóv

supporting

Also known as Count Ilyá Andréevich Rostóv, Ilyá Andréevich, Count Rostóv, old Count Rostóv

The genial but financially irresponsible patriarch of the Rostóv family.

Sónya

supporting

Also known as dear Sónya, the portionless Sónya

The poor, devoted cousin raised by the Rostóvs, who is secretly in love with Nikoláy.

Vasíli Denísov

supporting

Also known as Váska Denísov, Major Denísov, Monsieur Denísov

A brave, boisterous hussar officer and close friend of Nikoláy Rostóv.

Fyódor Dólokhov

supporting

Also known as Dólokhov, Mr. Dólokhov

A cold, reckless, and skilled officer and duelist from a poor family, often causing trouble.

Borís Drubetskóy

supporting

Also known as Prince Borís Drubetskóy, Borís, the Drubetskóys

An ambitious young man who climbs the social and military ladder through calculation and connections.

Anatole Kurágin

supporting

Also known as Anatole, Prince Anatole, Kurágin

The handsome, immoral, and reckless brother of Hélène, whose actions cause major scandal.

Prince Vasíli Kurágin

supporting

Also known as Prince Vasíli, Prince Vasíli Sergéevich

A cunning, influential prince obsessed with advancing his children's fortunes and his own status.

Anna Mikháylovna Drubetskáya

minor

Also known as Princess Anna Mikháylovna Drubetskáya, Anna Mikháylovna, Princess Drubetskáya

A poor but determined princess and mother of Borís, who tirelessly schemes for her son's advancement.

Anna Pávlovna Schérer

minor

Also known as Anna Pávlovna, Anna Schérer, Annette Schérer

A well-connected St. Petersburg hostess whose soirées open the novel.

Pétya Rostóv

supporting

Also known as Pétya, Pétya Rostóv

The youngest Rostóv son, whose youthful enthusiasm leads him to join the army during the 1812 campaign.

Hélène Bezúkhova

supporting

Also known as Elèn, Princess Elèn, Countess Bezúkhova, Elèna Vasílievna

The stunning but shallow and unfaithful daughter of Vasíli Kurágin, who marries Pierre.

Platón Karatáev

supporting

Also known as Platón, Karatáev, And Karatáev

A simple, philosophical peasant soldier Pierre meets in captivity, who profoundly influences his worldview.

Prince Nikoláy Bolkónski

supporting

Also known as Prince Nikoláy Andréevich Bolkónski, Old Bolkónski, Prince Bolkónski

The brilliant, tyrannical, and retired former general, father of Andrei and Márya.

Alpátych

minor

Also known as Yákov Alpátych

The faithful old steward of the Bolkónski estate at Bald Hills.

Mademoiselle Bourienne

minor

Also known as Bourienne, the smiling Mademoiselle Bourienne

A French companion to Princess Márya, whose flirtatious nature causes tension in the Bolkónski household.

Count Rostopchín

minor

Also known as Rostopchín, Count Rostopchín

The Governor-General of Moscow during the 1812 French invasion.

Emperor Alexander I

minor

Also known as the Emperor Alexander, Alexander, Alexander I

The Tsar of Russia during the Napoleonic Wars.

Prince Bagratión

minor

Also known as Bagratión, Prince Pyotr Ivánovich Bagratión

A revered Russian infantry commander during the early campaigns against Napoleon.

Alphonse Berg

minor

Also known as Alphonse Kárlovich Berg, Berg, Colonel Berg

A pedantic, socially climbing officer who marries Véra Rostóva.

Véra Rostóva

minor

Also known as Countess Véra Rostóva, Véra, The handsome Véra

The eldest, somewhat cold and correct Rostóv daughter, who marries Berg.

Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova

minor

Also known as Márya Dmítrievna, Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova

A forthright and respected Moscow lady known for speaking her mind.

Prince Ippolit Kurágin

minor

Also known as Ippolit, Prince Ippolit, the delightful Prince Ippolit

The foolish, awkward brother of Anatole and Hélène, often the butt of jokes in society.

Captain Túshin

minor

Also known as Túshin, Little Túshin, The short, round-shouldered Captain Túshin

A modest but heroic artillery captain whose bravery is crucial at the Battle of Schön Grabern.

Prince Dolgorúkov

minor

Also known as Dolgorúkov, Prince Yúri Vladímirovich Dolgorúkov

A confident adjutant to Tsar Alexander I at the Austrian headquarters.

Bilíbin

minor

Also known as IX Bilíbin

A witty Russian diplomat stationed in Austria, known for his clever phrases.

Julie Karágina

minor

Also known as Julie, Karágina, Julie Drubetskáya, the smiling Julie

A wealthy heiress and friend of the Rostóvs, who becomes involved with Borís Drubetskóy.

Countess Natálya Rostóva

supporting

Also known as Countess Natálya Ilyníchna Rostóva, Natálya Rostóva, Mamma

The loving, anxious mother of the Rostóv family.

Nikólenka Bolkónski

minor

Also known as Nikólenka, little Nikólenka, Nikolúshka

The young son of Prince Andrei, who appears in the novel's epilogue.

Zherkóv

minor

Also known as Hussar cornet Zherkóv, the wag Zherkóv

A mischievous hussar officer and friend of Dólokhov.

Prince Nesvítski

minor

Also known as Nesvítski, Prince, the stout Nesvítski

A good-natured, stout staff officer who serves as a liaison.

Speránski

minor

Also known as Messrs. Speránski

The influential state secretary and reformer whom Pierre and Andrei admire for a time.

Osip Bazdéev

minor

Also known as Osip Alexéevich Bazdéev, Bazdéev, Osip Alexéevich

A Mason who initiates Pierre into Freemasonry.

Marshal Davout

minor

Also known as Davout

A feared marshal of Napoleon, known for his severity.

Barclay de Tolly

minor

Also known as Barclay, General Barclay, General Barclay de Tolly

A Russian commander of Baltic German origin, initially in command in 1812.

Lieutenant Telyánin

minor

Also known as Telyánin

An officer who steals money from Nikoláy Rostóv, causing a scandal in the regiment.

Lavrúshka

minor

Also known as Lavrúshka

Denísov's (and later Rostóv's) clever, roguish Cossack orderly.

Count Arakchéev

minor

Also known as Arakchéev

The Tsar's powerful, harsh Minister of War.

Danílo

minor

Also known as Danílo Teréntich, Old Danílo Teréntich

The Rostóvs' dedicated and skilled huntsman.

General Ermólov

minor

Also known as Ermólov

A bold, outspoken Russian general on Kutúzov's staff.

General Bennigsen

minor

Also known as Bennigsen, Count Bennigsen

A senior Russian general who often clashes with Kutúzov.

General Dokhtúrov

minor

Also known as Dokhtúrov, Chubby little Dokhtúrov

A modest, reliable Russian general who performs crucial duties at Borodinó and after.

Morel

minor

Also known as Morel

A French drummer boy taken prisoner by the Russians and cared for by Pétya Rostóv.

Mávra Kuzmínichna

minor

Also known as old Mávra Kuzmínichna, Mávra Kuzmínichna

The Rostóvs' kind housekeeper in Moscow.

Captain Timókhin

minor

Also known as Timókhin, Captain Timókhin

A brave, dependable infantry company commander under Bagratión.

Ilyín

minor

Also known as Ilyín

A young, enthusiastic officer in Nikoláy Rostóv's hussar regiment.

Princess Liza Bolkónskaya

minor

Also known as Liza, Princess Liza, angel Liza, Madame Elizabeth

The charming, superficial wife of Prince Andrei, who dies in childbirth.

Ferapóntov

minor

Also known as Ferapóntov

A merchant in Smolénsk whose shop is looted as the French approach.

Mikháil Ivánovich

minor

Also known as the taciturn Mikháil Ivánovich, old Mikháil Ivánovich

The architect and companion of old Prince Bolkónski.

Tíkhon

minor

Also known as Old Tíkhon, Tíkhon Shcherbáty

A peasant servant of old Prince Bolkónski, known for his grimaces and loyalty.

Dron

minor

Also known as Dron Zakhárych, Drónushka

The village elder (starosta) of the Bolkónski estate at Boguchárovo.

Shinshín

minor

Also known as Uncle Shinshín

A sarcastic cousin of Countess Rostóva.

Márya Perónskaya

minor

Also known as Perónskaya, Márya Ignátevna Perónskaya

A relative and chaperone for Natásha at her first grand ball in St. Petersburg.

Pelagéya Melyukóva

minor

Also known as Pelagéya Danílovna Melyukóva, Melyukóva

A neighbor of the Rostóvs known for her festive Christmas parties.

Balagá

minor

Also known as Balagá

A famous, reckless troika driver in Moscow.

Gerásim

minor

Also known as Gerásim

The old servant who tends to Count Bezúkhov on his deathbed.

Mítenka

minor

Also known as Mítenka

The Rostóv family's steward, involved in their financial troubles.

Anísya Fëdorovna

minor

Also known as Anísya Fëdorovna, Anísya

The Rostóvs' housekeeper at their Otradnoe estate.

Dunyásha

minor

Also known as Dunyásha, DunyГЎsha

A maid in the Rostóv household, later involved with the valet Fëdor.

Malásha

minor

Also known as Malásha

A young peasant girl present during the council of war at Fili.

Vereshchágin

minor

Also known as Vereshchágin

A young merchant's son wrongly accused of treason and executed by a Moscow mob.

Márya Bogdánovna

minor

Also known as Márya Bogdánovna

The midwife present for the birth of Princess Liza Bolkónskaya's child.

Monsieur Dessalles

minor

Also known as Dessalles, M. Dessalles

The Swiss tutor for Prince Andrei's son, Nikólenka.

Count Willarski

minor

Also known as Willarski, Count Willarski

A Polish count who introduces Pierre to the Masonic lodge in St. Petersburg.

Zakhár

minor

Also known as Zakhár

Prince Andrei's old, devoted valet.

Prince Murat

minor

Also known as Murat, the French!’ Murat

The flamboyant French cavalry commander, King of Naples.

General Weyrother

minor

Also known as Weyrother, the Austrian General Weyrother

The Austrian chief of staff who presents the battle plan before Austerlitz.

Mademoiselle George

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle George, George

A famous French actress who performs in Moscow and is admired by Anatole.

Milorádovich

minor

Also known as Milorádovich

A flamboyant Russian general known for his bravery and showmanship.

Count Langeron

minor

Also known as Langeron, Count Langeron

One of the allied commanders at the Battle of Austerlitz.

Praskóvya

minor

A maid in the Rostóv household, mentioned in passing.