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.

He is, isn't he. It was funny when the General stopped unexpectedly and his entourage bumped into him.
I agree. Dolokhov is one to watch. It looks like he will rise quickly in the ranks and watch out for himself in future.
Best wishes Marya. Hope you jump back into reading again soon.

I'm starting to enjoy this much more now - yesterday's chapter about the soldiers was really amusing. I'm finding reading one chapter per day entirely manageable too - what a great idea!

Definitely. I'm finding it very manageable. Sometimes I read ahead another chapter or two, but no further than that.

Hope things improve for you Marya.
Thanks so much for the lovely illustrations Mb76.
I’m in bed with COVID, but resisting the temptation to read ahead.
I see almost killing a Jew isn’t going to scupper Dolokhov’s chances of promotion…

I hope you are ok Marya. I'm sure you'll soon catch up here as well.

Dolokhov clearly has a hard, bitter side to him that probably comes from being around people who have money, when he has none. I could get behind a character like that, especially with his don't car attitude but while nearly killing a Jew doesn't seem to cause him issues in W&P it earns him a place on my bad list.

I'm finding the war section easier going so far than peace & really interesting (I may have read ahead a little - feels a wee bit like being back in primary school )
I think one key lesson for me here is that it's really worth buying an e-book edition of 'big' books like this, which tend to be printed on thin paper in small type, it's so much easier to read both in general (rubbish eyesight) and also to have to hand out and about.

Totally agree Sadik, love reading it on Kindle. I think seeing how big it is would put me off.
Nice to see Andrei again today too, and he's so efficient.
Dolokhov sounds like a complete psychopath:

"‘What do you mean, “temperamental”?’ asked the general. ‘Different things on different days, sir,’ said the captain. ‘Sometimes he’s sensible and intelligent and good-natured. Then he can be like a wild animal. When we were in Poland, I should tell you, he all but killed a Jew …’”

I read so much more since I got a kindle! Mainly because it's light to carry around, books are cheaper and, most importantly, I can read it in bed without turning the light on. (And it's easier to read lying on your side too).

I predominantly use a Kindle but I do have lots of unread books on my shelf and buy more so I do usually have a hard copy of something on the go. Last year a book I read had the sort of cover that just have me immense pleasure every time I picked it up.

I definitely would have stopped reading again if it wasn’t for this thread. I don’t know if it’s the translation or the way Tolstoy writes, probably the way he write as the beginning of part one was difficult to follow too. I picked up chapter 2 today and had to reread chapter 1 - why doesn’t the regimental commander have a name, why didn’t he name Timokhov in chapter 1 so we’d know who on earth that was in chapter 2? I got there in the end but it was hard work again. Felt like page 1 trying to figure out whose who and what on earth is going on.

I also don’t get all these half spoken sentences. What’s the subtext? I don’t get the “understandings” at all.

I’m tired, little sleep, full time job, baby and today im definitely feeling I might not last the whole book/year!

@BakeOffRewatch I think own thing that might help is that there are many characters who are mentioned only in passing or only appear for a chapter to. All of the important people we follow have, as mentioned by someone up thread been introduced to us in Part I with the exception of Kutuzov who we have heard about but not yet met. I can’t recall Timokhov at all and haven’t read today yet.

I’d also say that it’s ok for some of the conversation to wash over you because so much of it just banter. For some chapters ambience, atmosphere etc are enough.

You would really busy. Is there 10 mins that you can find everyday? The same 10 mins. I try to read the chapter whilst I eat breakfast or just after dinner before family stuff? Not easy I know.

Thank @StColumbofNavron, just a little grumpy today! I have the time but I didn’t enjoy it today and took me half an hour to read as I just didn’t remember the details from yesterday.

I guess that’s the other side of reading it slowly - every chapter sinks in and don’t get the binge reading skim with important parts sticking.

Got a few chapters behind but have caught up this evening - phew!

This is the Gradesaver summary for Volume 1 Part 2 Chapter 3

Kutuzov and Prince Andrei meet with an Austrian general to explain why they do not want to take the Semyonovsky regiment to join the Austrian troops. Since we last saw him, Prince Andrei has done well in the army and thereby earned Kutuzov’s trust. Shortly after this meeting, word comes in that the Austrians have surrendered and that Napoleonn’s army is advancing toward the Russian troops. Despite Kutuzov’s machinations, the Semyonovsky regiment will soon see combat. When the defeated Austrian General Mackk arrives, Zherkov makes an inappropriate joke about Austria's surrender. Prince Andrei, who takes the defeat very seriously, sternly reprimands him.

I thought it was testament to Andrei's strong relationship with his father that he writes to him every day.
I could see why he was disliked by the majority of the army who find him 'petulant, aloof and thoroughly unpleasant' given, like his sister, he's a bit of a fun sponge!

Not sure why part of that is underlined

It’s quite clear that Andrei and his father both crave usefulness, but their world is mostly idle society. Even actually Marya, it has been alluded to that she is charitable. I loved Kutuzov’s diplomacy.

I wasn't expecting all the German in today's chapter! I wonder if Tolstoy expected his readers to be multilingual.

No German in Briggs, rifling!

I thought this was a brilliant chapter. The contrast between Kutuzov's smug attitude and Mack's distraught appearance was excellent. The turmoil that Andrei is experiencing sets him apart from the other officers who seem really immature in comparison.

I get the impression that both Bolkonsky children have been brought up to be incredibly serious and dutiful - although it manifests itself slightly differently because of their different social roles - and they both have trouble with the fact that most people aren’t like that.

I deliberately chose a version that translates all the French and German so I don’t have to wade through lots of translations in footnotes (or worse, try and translate it myself). I think mine’s the Ann Dunnigan translation (not sure as it’s kindle and it’s not always easy to tell).

Many thanks for the illustrations @Mb76, they definitely bring the characters to life. I’d love to see more as we continue. Are you reading along in Russian or English? @Marya and @BakeOffRewatch, hope you’re both feeling a bit better today.

Also very pleased the Briggs translation sticks to English, not sure I could have coped with French and German thrown in too!

Oh I don't mind the French - I can imagine myself as a glamorous Russian aristocrat, swapping into the French so that the servants can't understand me. I did need the footnotes for the German though.

DH has been saying that he wants to read along too. So far all he's done is buy his own copy of the book.

@rifling

I wasn't expecting all the German in today's chapter! I wonder if Tolstoy expected his readers to be multilingual.

They would have been, or at least the upper classes would have been very well educated. All middle class and up families would have had governesses and tutors for their children including girls. I just looked at my copy of the book and the footnote says Tolstoy provided his own translations to the parts in French and German unless stated otherwise.

@midnightbluevelvet

Many thanks for the illustrations *@Mb76, they definitely bring the characters to life. I’d love to see more as we continue. Are you reading along in Russian or English? @Marya and @BakeOffRewatch*, hope you’re both feeling a bit better today.

Thank you for the warm welcome everyone, and for the lovely comments about the illustrations 😁 I haven’t been able to re-start it yet but I will be reading in Russian. It’s a real treat, I don’t know if some of the nuances would have been lost in translation.

Here are a couple more illustrations of the War chapters. Any guesses who the chap on the horse might be?