Boris Drubetskoy

A calm and ambitious young officer

Also known as: Borenka, Borya

BOOK ONE

Book 1, Part 1

Chapter 4

His mother has gone to the soirée to get him transferred to the Guards. Prince Vasili promises to speak to the emperor on his behalf.

Chapter 7

Thanks to his mother’s diplomacy, he has been made a cornet in the Semyonov Guards. But she has failed to get him onto Kutuzov’s staff, where Andrei is an aide-de-camp. The Guards have already left for Austria, and Boris is staying behind in Moscow to sort his equipment. In this chapter, we learn that Boris is the godson of the dying Count Bezukhov.

Chapter 8

So here is the young officer we have heard so much about. “Tall and fair” with a “calm and handsome face”. With tranquil ease, he switches from their game to humouring Natasha with a mini-biography of her doll Mimi. Before offering the carriage to Anna Drubetskaya, like the good dutiful son that he is.

Chapter 10

In the conservatory, we learn much about Boris from the manner he looks around, brushes dust from his sleeve and admires his handsome face in the mirror. Natasha wants him to swear his love and promise to ask for her hand. “How funny you are!” he says.

Chapter 11

Boris is the “diplomat” amount the young people, much to Natasha’s frustration. He would hate to be considered misbehaving, as Vera suggests he and Natasha are. Natasha, I think, would prefer Boris to be a little more fun! We also learn that his mother is trying to raise money to equip him for the army.

Chapter 12

He goes reluctantly with his mother to see the dying Count Bezukhov, his godfather. He smiles knowingly at her perfect performance of “deep sorrow” but expects little more from the visit but “humiliation”.

Chapter 13

Boris appears rather amused by this clumsy Pierre, who does not recognise him. Still, Boris, the diplomat, tries to put him at his ease. And makes clear to Pierre that he would not take Count Bezukhov’s money. It’s hard to say how sincere he is, but it’s a convincing performance.