His observation of the house serfs, whom he correctly refers to as slaves, are like nothing else I’m aware of. In just a few pages he paints a picture of the entire wretched class, mainly ending where men break and turn to drink. His hatred of slavery is apparent. Incredible writing.

Right from the beginning we get a near first-hand account of being in Moscow when either Napoleon or Rostopchin burnt it down.

“He [the eldest brother] was one of those grotesquely odd creatures who are only possible in Russia, where life is so odd as to be grotesque.” And what a character, too. Lawsuits over a wall and a violin, tossing an ikon, terrifying the peasants. Mix of old rough among new culture.