War and Peace Readalong thread 2022

[VikingNorthUtsire]

Interest thread for the 2022 War and Peace readalong

THIS OP WAS UPDATED on 4/1 BY MNHQ (THANK YOU) TO ADD MORE DETAIL TO THE READING SCHEDULE AND UPDATE THE AMAZON LINKS

"The finest novel ever written on this planet"
"Here is a novel that is worth whatever time one gives to it. There is more life between its cover than in any other existent fictional narrative"

This is a really helpful blog post by someone who has done the challenge: nicksenger.com/onecatholiclife/announcing-the-2020-war-and-peace-chapter-a-day-read-along

1. Translations

The main complication seems to be which edition to choose. The blog post above contains some commentary of the different tranlsations that are available and their merits. There's also a pretty comprehensive guide here including samples from some of the best-known translations: welovetranslations.com/2021/08/31/whats-the-best-translation-of-war-and-peace-by-tolstoy/

The main differences that I can see are:

• some editions (including the free download on Project Gutenburg) have a different chapter structure. I think/hope we would manage to find one another if some are reading versions with more or fewer chapters but I have based the readalong on the versions with 361 chapters.

• there's quite a lot of French in at least some parts of the book. Some editions translate it into English, others keep it in French but use footnotes

• some translators have chosen to anglicise the characters' names. I guess its personal preference whether you prefer Mary, Andrew and Basil or a more Russian version.

Looking at the editions recommended and reviewed in the above blog:

The Vintage Classics edition, translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky: ]]

NB also this link for the kindle version: ]]

The Signet Classics edition, translated by Anne Dunnigan: ]]

The Penguin Classics edition, translated by Anthony Briggs: ]]

As a general rule I would definitely recommend downloading a sample of any kindle edition before buying, so you can be sure that you are happy with it.

Obviously, some people will prefer to avoid Amazon! Feel free to use the weeks in the run-up to Day 1 to share any tips on what you are buying and where from. Can I suggest though that we stick where possible to the editions with 361 chapters otherwise we will all get very confused!

1. Reading timeline

Nick, of the blog post, has very helpfully done the calculations for which chapters fall on which days, except he did it in 2020 which was a Leap Year. So feel free to take a look at nicksenger.com/onecatholiclife/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Nicks-2020-War-and-Peace-Chapter-a-Day-Reading-Schedule.pdf but see below the schedule for the Mumsnet Readalong.

Again, different editions name and number their chapters differently - some refer to four books divided into parts (as below), others refer to fifteen books although it's essentially the same structure just with different numbering. Hopefully there's enough info below to keep us all in sync, and always happy to let anyone know via PM what's happening in today's chapter so we can keep together.

Book 1: 1805
Book 1 Part One (25 chapters): 1/1 - 25/1
Book 1 Part Two (21 chapters): 26/1 - 15/2
Book 1 Part Three (19 chapters): 16/2 - 6/3
DAY OFF: 7/3
Book 2: 1806-1812
Book 2 Part One (16 chapters): 8/3 - 23/3
Book 2 Part Two (21 chapters): 24/3 - 13/4
Book 2 Part Three (26 chapters): 14/4 - 9/5
Book 2 Part Four (13 chapters): 10/5 - 22/5
Book 2 Part Five (22 chapters): 23/5 - 13/6
DAY OFF: 14/6
Book 3: 1812
Book Three Part One (23 chapters): 15/6 - 7/7
Book Three Part Two (39 chapters): 8/7 - 15/8
Book Three Part Three (34 chapters): 16/8 - 18/9
DAY OFF: 19/9
Book 4: 1812-13
Book Four Part One (16 chapters): 20/9 - 5/10
Book Four Part Two (19 chapters): 6/10 - 24/10
Book Four Part Three (19 chapters): 25/10 - 12/11
Book Four Part Four (20 chapters): 13/11 - 2/12
DAY OFF: 3/12
Epilogue One 1812-20 (16 chapters): 3/12 - 19/12
Epilogue Two (12 chapters): 20/12 - 31/12

Phew!

I would suggest that we meet at the end of each section (so 17 times over the course of the year) to discuss what we've read, but with (non-spoilerish) chatter welcome at any time in between. According to my guru, Nick, each chapter is around 4 pages long, so it should be do-able.

1. Chapter "meditations"

This looks like another really interesting blog post from someone who has done it, with thoughts and meditations on each chapter: brianedenton.medium.com/a-year-of-war-and-peace-cc66540d9619#.yabefbbgz

Come and join me! This time next year we will almost have finished reading the finest novel ever written on the planet.

PS Some may feel that each day off deserves a shot of vodka or two. I couldn't possibly comment.

Ah @IsFuzzyBeagMise, my version said “The countess also waxed tearful and silently pondered something”, so I took that to mean she was considering asking her husband to give the cash. It comes across as the start of the idea, but your one sounds more case shut and closed!

I was going to ask about translation today, what are we seeing when Vera “smiles disdainfully”? Is that basically a smirk? It’s repeated so I guess it’s a character trait, but I don’t know whether to imagine sadness, menace or rebellion in it. What does your version say?

Oh that's interesting, @BakeOffRewatch! That's completely different! She sounds sympathetic to Anna M there. I think I'm making negative thing of it when it isn't at all. What version do you have?

For Vera, when she leaves the two ladies to their conversation, 'The lovely young countess gave a scornful smile, not at all disconcerted'. So, I think I would consider that a smirk and a sign she doesn't care about being dismissed from their company.

I think Vera is at that shitty teenager age when she thinks the young ones are ridiculous and old people are, well, old.

I've been reading but not posting, but finding the chapter summaries really great for helping me keep tabs on what's going on, so thank you @DesdamonasHandkerchief Not gripped yet, but going to stick with it for a while at least.

Thank you Sadik, shame you're not gripped though. I suppose it's all a bit bitty at the moment with different protagonists in different places.

I’m really enjoying it so far, it’s much funnier than I expected. I did struggle at first but then I spent a bit of time reviewing the character lists and sorting out who was who and that really helped. Also finding your summaries very useful Desdemona!

By the way, my version of the Countess responding to Anna’s money troubles is ‘The Countess, moved to tears, pondered in silence.’ To me that doesn’t hint at all that the countess might be considering stumping up any cash!

I know Vera was a bit mean to the younger ones but I again felt sorry for her. She's not wanted by her mother snd the younger ones clearly don't want her around and she takes her frustrations out on them.

Looking forward to Pierre turning up at the party. I hope he brings the bear

Thanks ChessieFL

Chapter 12:

On the way to Count Bezukhov’s Anna M. Counsels her son on how to behave towards his godfather - ‘nice,…affectionate, …attentive’.
Boris is mortified by his mothers behaviour saying coldly:
“If I could be sure that anything would come of this other than humiliation … But I did promise, and I’m doing it for your sake.”

On their arrival Anna M. bluffs her way past the unwelcoming servants only to be confronted by a positively frosty Prince Vasily.
He stiffly acknowledges the obsequious thanks from both Boris and his mother for his assistance in obtaining Boris’s military commission.
Vasily appraises Boris with some surprise, finding him both calm and courteous despite the abrasive tone Vasily is employing.
On hearing where they are living Vasily cannot help but indulge in a little sour grapes over his one time crush Natalya’s choice of husband - dismissing Count Ilya Rostov as a ‘half-licked cub, …a completely stupid and ridiculous person, …a gambler’.
Anna M. half heartedly defends the man whose generosity she relies upon to keep a roof over her and her son’s heads implying that, despite this all being true, he is ‘a very kind man’.
With a skill that Boris can’t help but be amused by Anna M. neatly breaks down Vasily’s defences, bamboozling him with verbal grenades concerning her ‘genuine love and affection’ for Uncle, implying the princesses are too innocent to listen to any sins he may wish to confess, and insisting that at this sad time she offers unique assistance being a christian woman of the world. It's imperative she have an audience with her dear, sick uncle, there is simply no time to lose.
Vasily tries one last defensive move claiming the Count is too ill and the meeting she suggests might be “too much for him”.
She immediately counters: “We women, Prince, … always know how to say these things. I really must see him, however painful it may be. But then, I am used to suffering… There can be no question of waiting, Prince, at a time like this. Don’t forget, it is a matter of saving his soul. Ah! One’s Christian duty is a terrible thing.”
She strategically captures a chair outside the bed chamber, sinks down on it and metaphorically plants her flag. Vasily has been completely out manoeuvred and realises, not for the first time, that Anna Mikhaylovna is ‘extremely difficult to get rid of.’

Whilst Anna waits to see the Count, Boris is packed off to Pierre’s rooms to extend an invitation to the Rostov’s name day celebrations. Vasily is relieved that, whilst he might not be able to rid himself of Anna Mikhaylovna, he may at least get Pierre out of his hair for a few hours.

I don't get the impression that Tolstoy is quite sympathetic to Anna Mikhaylovna's position. He's playing her for laughs, but presumably it must have been tough if you were a widow, with a son to protect and little social cachet. Her worn-down shoes made me feel sad.

I quite admire Anna M who is doing the absolute best for her son in difficult circumstances. Where he's a worthy recipient of all of this work I'm less sure.

I'm feeling sorry for Anna Mikhaylovna too with her 'old mantle' and her 'shabby shoes'. She is obviously feeling the pinch. She's a tough nut ('Oh I didn't recognize you my dear, she said, beaming at her...') but she has to be, to survive.
I hope that Boris appreciates her efforts!

There is more fan fiction to be written right here. Anna M’s story.

Is it just me, or is anyone else thinking that W&P is gossipy fluff?

I was expecting something a little more substantial from a classic.

I feel like this is the equivalent to the bit in the English period drama where it's spring of 1914 and everyone is gossiping over whether Lady Honor will dance with Lord Chester, unaware of the coming horrors.

@zafferana

Is it just me, or is anyone else thinking that W&P is gossipy fluff?

I was expecting something a little more substantial from a classic.

Very early days. The wars and philosophy are coming...

I love the gossipy fluff, don't mind the war bits, it's the philosophy that leaves me cold. What can I say I'm a philistine 🤷‍♀️

And is there lots of musings on farming methodology or is that just Anna Karenina?

I believe the farming diversions are in Anna Karenina, although I've never read it. Maybe next year!

Chapter 13:
Pierre has been staying at his fathers house for several days but has been kept away from the old man by the three Princesses that surround him.
Pierre is received by the women of the house like a ‘corpse or plague victim’ and they accuse him of trying to finish the Count off with his bad behaviour, suggesting a bedside visit from Pierre will ‘kill him outright’.
Prince Vasily arrived at Count Bezukhov's the day after Pierre and reiterated the instruction that Pierre must on no account see the old man. Pierre meekly accepts these directives and simply begs to be notified when he is finally able to visit his dying father.

When Boris arrives at Pierre's room to extend the invitation, on behalf of Count Rostov, to the name day party Pierre is babbling about Napoleon and sword fighting an invisible enemy. After some confusion over who Boris actually is, Pierre receives him warmly.

Wanting to clear up any confusion or hard feeling Boris tells Pierre that he is aware that many people are circling like vultures, hopeful of a bequest in Count Bevokhov’s will. He wants Pierre to know that neither he nor his mother consider themselves relatives of the Counts, they would never expect or ask anything of him, nor do they expect to inherit anything from his will.
(All very noble I’m sure but not strictly true if we’re honest is it Boris?!)
Anyway truth or not Boris, as always, makes a good impression and Pierre decides he will go to the Rostov’s party, to become better acquainted with Boris if nothing else.
Boris and Anna M depart with her promising Vasily that she’ll return that night because her poor sick (and rich, let’s not forget rich) uncle is so very close to death and needs to be prepared for his final journey.
Once in the carriage she and Boris discuss what’s really on their minds, who will inherit the Counts wealth and whether or not they will benefit.

Tolstoy really does have some odd descriptions of women, doesnt’t he?! We had the pregnant chipmunk, now we’ve got one Princess with (presumably) very short legs and a long body, and another who is made more beautiful by a mole on her lip. Is it just the translation do you think, or does Tolstoy really just not like women very much? I don’t recall any of these odd descriptions about any of the male characters.

The farming in Anna Karenina is definitely less interesting than the war in W&P. I read AK last year just how we are reading this. It’s a different kind of wonderful.

Maybe we can do a read along of Anna Karenina in 2023?

Boris was being a bit disingenuous today wasn't he? His mother is definitely after some money!

I enjoyed Pierre pretending to be Napoleon.

I’ve got Anna Karenina on the shelf but never got round to it! Would be good to tackle it next year if I make it through this.

I didn’t quite follow today’s conversation between Pierre and Boris. Pierre is on tenterhooks that Boris might come out with something embarrassing - what was that? Then Boris seems to convey something without spelling it out that comes as a revelation to Pierre. Is the news that Pierre is in the running for the inheritance but that the sharks are circling? Is that all news to Pierre or what have I missed?