Countess Natalya Rostóva

Also known as Countess Rostov, Maman, Mummy

Major
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 9

A middle-aged to elderly Russian noblewoman with a thin, dignified face of an Oriental type and a frail, weakened bearing. Her movements and speech are languid, and her hair is sparse enough to show as a little knob when her false curls are removed; in public she wears a tall cap with light-blue ribbons, while at home she may wear a white cotton nightcap and dressing jacket. Her expression ranges from composed and maternal to tearful and anxious.

Gender: female
Age: 45
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 9
Books: 1

Description

A woman of about forty-five with a thin, Oriental-type face, worn by childbearing, and a languid, distinguished bearing. She wears aristocratic clothing; at a formal gathering she has a tall cap with light-blue ribbons.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

CI
Count Ilyá Andréevich Rostóvhusband and wife
The count and countess manage the family’s preparations to leave Moscow. The count handles rumors and hurried orders, while the countess is consumed by fear for her sons.
Natásha Rostóvadaughter and mother
Natásha turns to her mother for reassurance about Andrew and their engagement. The countess accepts Andrew’s proposal, though she feels anxious about the delayed wedding.
Nicholas Rostóvson and mother
The countess wants Nicholas to marry wealthy heiress Julie Karágina to help rescue the family finances. Nicholas refuses, choosing Sónya; their disagreement becomes painful, though Natásha helps reconcile them.
Pierre Bezúkhovson-in-law
Pierre is married to the countess's daughter Natásha. The countess welcomes his return and teases him for staying away, while appreciating the presents and his place in the family.
Princess Mary Bolkónskayadaughter-in-law and mother-in-law
Mary lives in the Rostov household with her husband Nicholas and his mother. Their domestic relationship is shaped by shared family life and the old countess's dependence on the household.
S
Sónyaaunt and niece by marriage
Sónya is part of the Rostóv household and helps direct the packing. The countess turns to her for practical orders, though her attention is dominated by her sons and she fails to notice Sónya’s heartache.
B
Bergmother-in-law and son-in-law
Berg treats the countess respectfully as his mother-in-law, but his request for a cart comes amid the family’s dispute over aiding wounded soldiers.
PR
Pétya Rostovmother and youngest son
The countess is intensely anxious about Pétya’s safety and arranges his transfer to a regiment near Moscow so she can keep him close. Pétya resists her protective attention and treats her coldly during his visit.
S
Shinshíncousins
Shinshín is the countess’s cousin and a frequent member of the Rostóv social circle.
VR
Véra Rostóvamother and daughter
Véra says she was raised more strictly than Natásha; the countess acknowledges that she was too strict with her eldest daughter, who is not a favorite.
Prince Andrew Bolkónskiprospective son-in-law
Natásha’s mother calls Andrew an excellent man but privately worries about his delay and the uncertainty surrounding the engagement.
AM
Anna Mikháylovna Drubetskáyachildhood friends
They share a longstanding, tender friendship. The countess gives Anna money for Borís’s military outfit despite her own household’s financial difficulties.
FI
Fëdor Ivánovich Dólokhovprospective son-in-law and disapproving mother
The countess presses Sónya to accept Dólokhov's advantageous proposal, but Sónya refuses.
JK
Julie Karáginaprospective matchmaker and the proposed bride’s mother
The countess writes to Julie’s mother proposing a marriage between Nicholas and Julie. Julie’s mother is agreeable in principle but leaves the decision to her daughter.
MD
Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímovarespected family friend and guest
Márya Dmítrievna is a trusted, formidable visitor at the Rostóv home, where she gives the family blunt advice and affectionately teases Natásha.
VD
Vasíli Dmítrich Denísovprospective son-in-law and prospective mother-in-law
The countess refuses to approve Denísov's proposal to Natásha, stressing that her daughter is too young and that he should have approached her first.