Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of War and Peace. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: After Napoleon's defeat in 1812, Pierre Bezukhov marries Natasha Rostova, and Nikolai Rostov marries Princess Marya Bolkonskaya. The epilogue shows both couples years later with children, while Prince Andrei's son Nikolenka dreams of greatness like his father.
Quick facts
– Book: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
– First published: 1869
– Type: A historical epic novel
– Tone of the ending: Hopeful after great loss
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
The novel follows Russian noble families through the Napoleonic Wars. Prince Andrei, wounded at Austerlitz and later at Borodino, becomes engaged to Natasha, but she nearly runs away with the rake Anatole. Pierre, an awkward heir, endures a bad marriage, captivity by the French and a search for meaning.
What Happens at the End of War and Peace
Andrei dies of his wounds, with Natasha and Marya by his side. Natasha's young brother Petya is killed in battle. Pierre, freed from captivity after surviving the French retreat, returns to Moscow and finds Natasha changed by grief. They marry. Nikolai saves the Rostov family from ruin by marrying the wealthy Marya. The first epilogue shows family life in 1820, with Pierre involved in political circles. The second epilogue is Tolstoy's essay on history and free will.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Natasha and Pierre find happiness after suffering.
- Nikolai and Marya's marriage saves the Rostovs.
- Nikolenka's dream hints at the coming Decembrist revolt.
- Tolstoy ends with a long essay on history.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Pierre Bezukhov | Marries Natasha |
| Natasha Rostova | Becomes a devoted wife and mother |
| Prince Andrei | Dies of his wounds |
| Nikolai Rostov | Marries Marya |
| Petya Rostov | Killed in battle |
What the Ending Means
The ending suggests that ordinary family life is as meaningful as war and great deeds. History is made by countless small choices, not by heroes like Napoleon.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers are disappointed by Natasha's quiet domestic ending, while others see it as Tolstoy's ideal. Many readers skip or skim the second epilogue.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
History. Tolstoy argues that individuals do not control great events.
Love. The marriages grow out of shared grief.
Meaning. Pierre's search ends in simple everyday life.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of War and Peace as hopeful after great loss. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Leo Tolstoy to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are hopeful after great loss will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Leo Tolstoy closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2016 BBC series ends with the couples together and drops the long history essay.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading War and Peace with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about history, and do you agree with Leo Tolstoy's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as hopeful after great loss, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces history and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Leo Tolstoy leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in War and Peace often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of War and Peace earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After War and Peace
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
Related: 15 Books Like War and Peace You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of War and Peace?
After Napoleon's defeat in 1812, Pierre Bezukhov marries Natasha Rostova, and Nikolai Rostov marries Princess Marya Bolkonskaya. The epilogue shows both couples years later with children, while Prince Andrei's son Nikolenka dreams of greatness like his father.
Is the ending of War and Peace happy or sad?
Most readers call it hopeful after great loss.
What does the ending of War and Peace mean?
The ending suggests that ordinary family life is as meaningful as war and great deeds.
Is the ending of War and Peace the same in the adaptation?
The 2016 BBC series ends with the couples together and drops the long history essay.
Who wrote War and Peace and when was it published?
War and Peace was written by Leo Tolstoy and first published in 1869.
Is War and Peace worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy historical epic novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Leo Tolstoy prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read War and Peace before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.