War and Peace: who's who, timeline and places

Everyone in War and Peace, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.

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Prince Vasíli KuráginPrince Vasíli Kurágin attends Anna Pávlovna’s reception, where conversation turns to court influence and family concerns.First seen in chapter 1
Anna Pávlovna SchérerAnna Pávlovna Schérer hosts a reception where European politics, court influence, and family concerns occupy conversation.First seen in chapter 1
HélèneHélène attracts admiration among the guests at Anna Pávlovna’s reception.First seen in chapter 3
PierrePierre is a guest for whom Prince Andrew shows affection despite his boredom with the reception.First seen in chapter 4
Prince AndrewPrince Andrew is a reception guest who announces his military appointment and shows affection for Pierre.First seen in chapter 4
NapoleonNapoleon is the subject of Pierre’s defense during a heated political dispute at Anna Pávlovna’s reception.First seen in chapter 5
Anatole KuráginAnatole Kurágin hosts a gathering that Pierre attends after breaking his promise to Prince Andrew.First seen in chapter 9
DólokhovDólokhov wagers that he can drink rum outside a high window without holding on.First seen in chapter 9
BorísBorís gains a Guards commission with help from Prince Vasíli.First seen in chapter 10
NatáshaNatásha brings youthful laughter into a formal family visit when she enters carrying her doll.First seen in chapter 11
NicholasNicholas defends entering military service and follows Sónya after his attention to Julie Karágina upsets her.First seen in chapter 12
SónyaSónya leaves upset after Nicholas pays attention to Julie Karágina.First seen in chapter 12
Princess MaryPrincess Mary studies geometry with her father and exchanges letters with Julie Karágina.First seen in chapter 25
KutúzovKutúzov wants a regiment inspected in marching condition to support his opposition to joining another army.First seen in chapter 29

Chapter 1
Anna Pávlovna welcomes Prince Vasíli to a reception where politics gives way to court influence and family concerns.
Chapter 12
Nicholas defends entering military service and follows Sónya after his attention to Julie Karágina upsets her.
Chapter 28
Prince Andrew prepares for war, accepts Princess Mary’s religious gift, and admits that his marriage is unhappy.
Chapter 49
Túshin helps the injured Rostóv during the withdrawal, and Prince Andrew defends the battery’s conduct.
Chapter 51
Prince Vasíli presses Pierre toward marriage with Hélène and congratulates them although Pierre has not proposed.
Chapter 68
Wounded Prince Andrew receives Napoleon’s attention but finds his former hero insignificant beside the nearness of death.
Chapter 77
Prince Andrew returns to his wife during labor, hears their newborn cry, and discovers that she is dead.
Chapter 88
Pierre undergoes Masonic initiation and receives teachings directing him toward purity, kindness, and equality.
Chapter 105
Rostóv watches Alexander welcome Napoleon and struggles with doubts about military suffering and unequal rewards.
Chapter 123
Natásha dances with delight, while Prince Andrew’s growing attraction leads him to imagine her as his wife.
Chapter 129
Prince Andrew obtains his father’s conditional consent and proposes to Natásha.
Chapter 160
Sónya confronts Natásha about Anatole’s letter, and Natásha writes to Princess Mary refusing to marry Prince Andrew.
Chapter 168
Western European forces cross the Russian frontier, while the narrator challenges explanations that blame individual rulers or grievances.
Chapter 204
Rostóv breaks the peasants’ resistance through threats and arrests, allowing Princess Mary to leave Boguchárovo.
Chapter 223
Napoleon tries to direct the fighting at Borodinó, but smoke and changing reports frustrate his control.
Chapter 226
Prince Andrew’s regiment endures artillery fire without fighting, and a nearby shell gravely wounds him.
Chapter 246
The Rostóvs leave Moscow with wounded men, hiding Prince Andrew’s presence from Natásha.
Chapter 274
Pierre watches five prisoners being shot without understanding that his own life is spared.
Chapter 291
Pierre finds unexpected inner peace in captivity as hardship strips away his concern with reputation, politics, and former ambitions.
Chapter 309
Pétya ignores Denísov’s orders, charges into French gunfire, and dies as the attackers force a surrender.
Chapter 320
Natásha cares for her grieving mother after Pétya’s death, awakening her own capacity for love and life.
Chapter 335
Pierre resolves to marry Natásha and asks Princess Mary whether his love has any hope.
Chapter 344
Nicholas marries Princess Mary, settles at Bald Hills, clears his debts, and builds wealth through farming.
Chapter 365
The narrator compares changes in astronomy with the need to explain history through laws rather than individual free will.
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