Vasily "Vas'ka" Denisov

A captain in the Pavlograd hussars

BOOK ONE

Book 1, Part 2

29 Jan: Chapter 4

A small man with a red-face, sparkling black eyes, and black tousled moustache and hair. He’s got a lisp, which is unfortunate because he’s just lost money on cards with an officer nicknamed “the rat”. His purse disappears, and he flies into a rage. Rostov blames Lieutenant Telyanin, taking matters into his own hands.

30 Jan: Chapter 5

Denisov isn’t happy about the situation at all and sits gloomily, biting his moustache. But he lets the staff-captain school cadet Nikolai on diplomacy. Still, the mere mention of Lieutenant Telyanin makes him see red and threaten to kill him. News of imminent action against the French couldn’t come sooner for grumpy Denisov.

1 Feb: Chapter 7

“I am going into action! I’ve shaved, bwushed my teeth, and scented myself.” He’s got a new cloak and saddle cloth as well. He’s happy about fighting but furious about waiting, and once again, he shows a bloodthirsty temper with anyone in his way.

2 Feb: Chapter 8

At the start of the chapter, Denisov wants to lead a charge to clear the French off. But instead, he is sent to burn the bridge. “The very devil”, he complains, being shot at “like a target”.

Book 1, Part 3

24 Feb: Chapter 10

Denisov has been promoted to major. He pats Rostov affectionately: “As there’s no one to fall in love with on campaign, he’s fallen in love with the Tsar.”

BOOK TWO

Book Two, Part One

7 Mar: Chapter 1

Early in 1806, Nikolai Rostov takes a rather drunk Denisov home with him to Moscow. He is shaggy and a little tearful at the family reunion, and they all give him a rapturous welcome. “Darling Denisov!” says Natasha, who has only just met him. She kisses him, which makes everyone feel confused. Denisov takes her hand and kisses it.

Next morning, the girls get an unexpected glimpse of his hairy legs as Petya barges into their room, wielding one of their swords. Later, Denisov appears “perfumed and in a new uniform” as though he is going into battle.

8 Mar: Chapter 2

Denisov and Rostov make the most of their military leave in Moscow, going on sprees and having a jolly good time. Money is spent, “a certain house” is visited. We are saved the specifics.

9 Mar: Chapter 3

At Bagration’s party, Denisov sits with Rostov and Dolokhov, and opposite Pierre, at the middle of the table.

10 Mar: Chapter 4

He, Rostov and Dolokhov stay late, drinking and listening to the gipsies and other singers. Next day, he joins Rostov for Dolokhov’s duel with Pierre.

11 Mar: Chapter 5

Denisov’s lisp gives a jarring comedy to the tragic scene unfolding. But we see the best of Denisov, when he forgets his allegiance to Dolokhov and tells Pierre to “Cover yourself!” He and Rostov drive away with the wounded Dolokhov.

17 Mar: Chapter 11

Natasha invites Nikolai to Iogel’s ball, telling him that Denisov will be there.

18 Mar: Chapter 12

At Iogel’s ball, Denisov is a foot-tapping wallflower enchanted by Natasha: “Denisov did not take his eyes off her and beat time with his sabre in a way that clearly indicated that if he was not dancing, it was because he would not and not because he could not.”

But they coax “Vaska the cat” to the dancefloor and a spectacular mazurka is danced. Natasha: “What is this?” Iogel: Not a real mazurka. But now everyone wants to dance with Denisov, who now “looked the fine fellow he felt himself to be.”

21 Mar: Chapter 15

When Nikolai returns from losing at cards, Denisov is composing a song, and everyone is coaxing Natasha to sing. “He was singing in passionate tones, gazing with his sparkling black agate eyes at the frightened and happy Natasha.”

22 Mar: Chapter 16

Natasha tells her mother that Denisov has proposed to her. “Nonsense,” says the countess. Natasha said it happened accidentally, but she wants to be the one who speaks to Denisov. The countess is irritated and sarcastic towards her daughter and stern with Denisov. The young man tells her he was wrong, but would give his life twice over for Natasha and the Rostovs. He leaves without looking at Natasha. His Moscow friends give him a big send-off, and he has no recollection of how he left the capital for the regiment.

Book Two, Part One

6 April: Chapter 15

Denisov welcomes Nikolai back into the regiment. He is clearly deeply in love with the Rostov family, and when he intervenes in Nikolai’s fights there are tears in his eyes: “What a mad bweed you Wostovs are!”

7 April: Chapter 16

The regiment are starving, so Denisov goes off and takes supplies from the infantry. He is accused of mutiny and robbery and his superior officer sends him to the staff to set things straight. There Denisov discovers that Telyanin is the quartermaster. The man who stole money from his in Austria is now “starving us to death.” He hits him. Fearing a court-martial, Denisov takes a bullet in his leg at the next opportunity, landing himself in hospital.

9 April: Chapter 18

Nikolai visits Denisov in hospital. He wants to fight his case, but Captain Tushin advises him to submit and petition the Emperor for a pardon. Rostov know not to press the point and wound Denisov’s pride. But later, Denisov quietly hands Rostov the petition.

BOOK THREE

Book Three, Part Two

Chapter 15

Kutuzov reviews the troops and summons Andrei to headquarters. There, Andrei meets Denisov. The two men remember Natasha. Kutuzov commiserates with Andrei for the loss of his father and listens with boredom to Denisov’s plans for guerilla warfare.

BOOK FOUR

Book Four, Part Three

Chapter 3

We catch up with two small groups of guerillas led by none other than Denisov and Dolokhov. They turn down requests to unite with larger parties and instead plan their own attack on a convoy of cavalry baggage and Russian prisoners. Their first attempt to get intelligence results only in the capture of a little drummer boy.

Chapter 4

Denisov is in a grumpy mood, because of the rain and his empty belly. He is waiting for news from Dolokhov when a young officer arrives with a message from a partisan commander. The young man is Petya Rostov. After Denisov reads the message, Petya asks him whether he can stay with his party.

Chapter 5

They interrogate the little drummer-boy, who gives them confused answers. Denisov and the esaul consider their plans while Petya pretends to understand.

Chapter 6

Denisov chastises Tikhon for failing to bring in a French prisoner.

Chapter 8

Dolokhov arrives, smart and clean-shaven. He insists everything must be done accurately, and Petya volunteers to go with him to the French camp in disguise. Denisov objects and the two officers argue about the rights and wrongs of killing prisoners. Petya resolves to go with Dolokhov regardless of the risks.

Chapter 11

Denisov tells Petya to obey him and stay out of trouble. But once the signal is given, Petya rushes forward in search of action. The French are killed, flee or surrender, but not before Petya is shot in the skull and falls from his horse. Dolokhov says it is finished; Denisov howls like a dog. Petya is killed and his namesake, Pierre Bezukhov is rescued from among the Russian prisoners.