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.

I think 'chaotically' is the keyword here :)

I think extraordinary amounts of adrenaline must push them on, otherwise you would just run away in fear wouldn’t you?!

Definitely!

Bloody hell it sounds terrifying, why do soldiers put their lives on the line for the ambitions of megalomaniacs in power. And it's still happening now! (Putin I'm looking at you)

Yes to the adrenaline, and also crowd mentality. No one wants to be the one to point out how crazy it all is.

I just couldn't... and come Armistice Day, I am so SO grateful for all those who have, especially those for whom there was no choice!

I used to have a recurring dream when I was younger that I was a guerrilla fighter somewhere, in torn khakis with an AK, and I was fearless.. the dream always ended with me being killed though, in a variety of ways...

DesdamonasHandkerchief apologies for not getting back to you sooner - I fell a few chapters behind and have only been reading the thread at my own reading pace!

I haven't had much luck with watching the series, first try I had to switch it off as there were unexpected nude scenes and DS was in the room 😳 then my inlaws made an out of the blue visit when I was sitting in my pyjamas tucked up in a duvet watching it! I've only made it so far to the bit where the struggle broke out between Anna and the other Princess over the will. I will maybe have another attempt to watch today!

Chapter 19

The battle rages on with mixed success for the Russians. The Azovsky and Padolsky infantry and the Pavograd hussars are outflanked by Lannes' troops. Bagration sends Zherkov with an order to the general to retreat with immediate effect. Zherkov salutes smartly, but once on his way, his courage fails him. He panics. He cannot ride into the danger zone and deliver the order.

Nikolai Rostov is part of the Pavlograd hussars. His commander and his counterpart are at cross purposes and while the battle is raging around them, they are locked in their own private feud. The German commander of the hussars wants to retreat and not risk the loss of life of his men. The general disagrees. He wants fight the good fight. They might have stayed there locked in permanent disagreement but for the sound of musket fire and shouting that announces the French attack. It is too late. They are cut off and are forced to fight their way through.

Continued

Following an absence of orders, Nikolai and his comrades get ready to charge. He is ready to experience the excitement that he has so often heard about. He is ready to slash the enemy.

He crosses the line. Everything is calm, strangely ordinary. Then something happens. The whole squadron is attacked, as if swept by a big broom. Nikolai sees men falling down around him. He falls down. Little Rook, his horse is bleeding. He tries to stand up. His arm is injured at the wrist. He is in pain and he is in shock.

Nikolai watches in disbelief as two French soldiers approach him. He stands there, too shocked to move as the men get closer and closer. He raises his pistol, but doesn't shoot, he throws the pistol at the soldiers and starts to run for cover. There is only one thought in his head, to save himself.

As he runs away, he remembers the boy he was, running across fields and jumping over hedges chasing his friends. He chances a look behind him. They fire at him. Bullets fly past his head. With every remaining ounce of strength, Nikolai dives into the bushes.

That was a difficult chapter to read. Poor Nikolai :(
The passage where Tolstoy described his shock, his disbelief and the unreality of the attack was excellent. Harrowing.

Agreed, very difficult it's the moment Nicolai starts to grow up. The little details like him thinking: they can't want to kill me! Not me, everybody loves me! And him getting the gun out and instead of firing it throwing it at the enemy. Almost farcical in its ineptitude.
And worst of all for me poor Little Rook who didn't ask to be put in danger. How many dogs and horses have lost their lives painfully to satisfy human lust for war, at least the soldiers enlisted.

Well done InTheCludgie, you have managed not to binge watch the tv series even if it was largely out of your control
I remember the nude scene early on, it is a bit of a shock but does really capture the debauchery of the gambling den.

Indeed, even if that scene wasn't what I was expecting at the time - can't remember the last time I made such a fast grab for the remote! Was also a bit disappointed not to see more dancing from Adrian Edmondson (not that I was expecting a routine like something from Strictly or anything...)

@DesdamonasHandkerchief

Bloody hell it sounds terrifying, why do soldiers put their lives on the line for the ambitions of megalomaniacs in power. And it's still happening now! (Putin I'm looking at you)

It’s terrifying. As a Russian speaking Ukrainian I don’t hate Russia, but I despise Putin and what he has turned his country into. I don’t want to derail the thread with politics though so here are a couple of illustrations. Nikolai Rostov and Andrei’s father I think. I’m still behind you guys with the book, so correct me if I’m wrong.

Thank you again for the illustrations Mb76. I hope an invasion can still be averted.

I do feel sorry for Nikolai, because I don’t get the impression he’s had adequate training, if any training at all.

Yes, there seems to be a contrast between Nikolai, sweet summer child, and the more mature Andrei -- but are Andrei's dreams of military glory just as much of an illusion as Nikolai's, I wonder?

I think you are right @cassandre, they are both naive and trying to escape I think - Nikolai from boyhood and Andrei from what he perceives as a futile existence. I’ve read elsewhere (who knows where though) that Pierre is supposedly a version of Tolstoy but I think this element of Andrei also speaks to Tolstoy’s worldview.

@Mb76 must be so stressful for Ukrainians at the moment, although I know it's been bad for a few years. Hopefully a war will be averted.

I really felt for Nikolai too in this chapter. Tolstoy does capture the confusion and fear of war perfectly.

Totally agree. The fear and confusion were captured so well. I'm not sure but is this a bit of a watershed in military warfare / tactics? They just seem so unprepared, like they were expecting a totally different type of warfare, was what Napoleon was doing new?

By the time Napoleon got to Russia he had fought against much of Europe I think. I can’t quite recall, but I think he was just a brilliant strategist. To the point that even his ‘enemies’ are in awe of him. For example, if you contrast Murat and Napoleon - Murat couldn’t see the flaw in his plan but Napoleon spotted it immediately and he wasn’t even on the scene. Also I don’t think we can underestimate that the French were the aggressors and the Russian’s defending which makes a difference, Napoleon has had time to consider, strategise and plan whereas Russia (from the salon gossip) weren’t altogether sure if he would or wouldn’t attack so they are not as prepared and are reactive. My very first history lecture at university was on Napoleon and I don’t remember anything, but I’m inspired to read up on him and understand a bit more about him as a commander and why he was so successful.

I haven't read today's chapter yet but just a reminder that it's a section end tomorrow of anyone is out of synch and waiting to discuss.

@VikingNorthUtsire

I haven't read today's chapter yet but just a reminder that it's a section end tomorrow of anyone is out of synch and waiting to discuss.

I noticed there was only one chapter left after I'd finished today's.. feels like it's flown past. Kind of hoping we return to the intrigue of city life, although have really enjoyed the war chapters.

Was interesting to see Dolokhov rear his head again this chapter, literally. I was actually surprised he was so in the Generals face - I thought he was a bit loud and throwing himself into it all because that's who he was but I think this chapter shows it was really for attention - he desperately wants to have his former status back again. I mean, he sounds incredibly brave and the army clearly needed soldiers like him but I was a bit disappointed that it came from a place of self-promotion rather than pure courage (which is ridiculous given everything I've said about how much I hate war these last few weeks!)

Yes. I'm not surprised given his antics in St. Petersburg that Dolokhov got on well with the fighting. He is the brash enough and brave enough, to give him his dues.

I'm looking forward to a change of scene too, although I thought the war chapters were really good.

I’ve really struggled with the war chapters (that’s why I haven’t been commenting!) so I’m hoping we’re going back to Peace with the next section.

I saw Vasily on the first page of the next section, so I think so :)