Synopsis: The characters of the novel, initially bi-dimensional, progressively become tri-dimensional and acquire density as they are observed by Pierre, the main protagonist. Their number increases in mathematical progression, and their lives interconnect in a complicated and surprising way. Half way through the book, their all gather for a splendid wedding meal, the description of which is a pastiche of Gustave Flaubert's style. From then on, they progressively leave the scene and are heard of no more. The queen of Etruria eventually declares war upon France, and the resulting massacre only spares two soldiers, one of whom is Pierre. They are immediately made marshalls, and invited to dinner by the queen, who turns out to be one of the earlier protagonists of the plot. Together, they evoke the past, and Pierre is talked into going back in time to the beginning of the story, where he starts the cycle again...