Literally the only thing intimidating about Tolstoy’s novels are the length. As I’ve recently discovered, this is one of the best kept secrets in literature: no author in the canon is more of an icon of the serious heavyweight novel, and yet no author in the canon is an easier read. He is a master of narration. Not to say that they’re on the same level artistically, but if you can read George R.R. Martin’s big ass books, you can read Tolstoy no problem.