War and Peace · Character
Véra Rostóva
Also known as Countess Véra, Véra Rostóva's, dear Véra
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 11
Véra has the handsome, polished air of someone intent on seeming grown-up, with a cold, stern face that can make even a familiar room feel less welcoming. She attends carefully to her hair and scarf, and her composure carries a faintly disquieting precision.
- Gender
- female
- Age
- young adult
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 11
- Books
- 1
The eldest Rostov daughter, Véra is four years older than Natásha and often sets herself apart through a self-conscious, grown-up manner. Her stern composure irritates her younger relatives, yet she remains part of the family’s intimate household world and its social gatherings. She marries Berg and becomes Countess Véra, sharing his careful attention to possessions and domestic comforts. Across the novel, she remains a figure of discipline and propriety, more controlled than the emotional family around her.
Description
Véra is a handsome young woman, described at about twenty, with a body strikingly long in proportion to her short legs. Her face is cold and stern, and she takes care to arrange her hair and scarf before a looking glass. The text does not specify her complexion, hair color or style, or eye color. Her manner is neat and self-possessed, with the studied polish of a young woman determined to appear grown-up.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
- CI
Count Ilyá Andréevich Rostóvfather and daughter
The count consents to Véra’s marriage and promises Berg a substantial dowry, despite his uncertainty and the family’s serious financial difficulties.
- CN
Countess Natalya 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.
Natásha Rostóvayounger and elder sisters
Véra is present with the family at the ball and speaks to Natásha, though Natásha is too humiliated by being left without a dance partner to attend to her.
Nicholas Rostóvsister and brother
Nicholas sends Véra greetings in his letter; she joins the family for its reading, though her unemotional response draws reproachful looks.
- B
Berghusband and wife
Berg and Véra are married and host a carefully arranged social gathering together. Each privately regards the other as limited, while both take satisfaction in their own social standing.
Story so far
BOOK 1War and Peace
Appearances
Meet Véra Rostóva in Bookworm
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