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All the descriptions we get of people are negative and somewhat insulting – the princess’s body too long for her legs, the Count with his arrogance, Anna with her worn coat. Only Boris is saved a little with his quietness and respect. These descriptions set the scene for what will happen with the will and how they will fight for it. Anna M is as formidable as any general.

This is fantastic writing.

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Mostly just a plot chapter, but we do see the relationship of Vera and Natasha, the only sour relationship she seems to have with anyone, and we see how Anna Mikhaylovna, old and widowed as she is, is capable of manuring society to get what she wants for her son, Boris. We clearly see how women interact in society and how their relationships work. It’s more subtle than the men, obviously, except Natasha.