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 really enjoy the War chapters and think Tolstoy does a great job in bringing the scale and the realities of it to life. The troops really really loved their Tsar, didn't they!

I think Boris makes a good observation in today's chapter (Ch9, so sorry if spoilers - I read the following days chapter in bed before I go to sleep) - about the written vs unwritten rules and I'm enjoying seeing this side of the battle... the less action packed, more sedate and admin focused side - more where I'd like to be if I ended up going to war!

I've been Google Street Viewing again and there is an epic clock tower in the centre of Olmutz (maps.app.goo.gl/AJRngFR5n9PfqdHL8) which dates from the 1400s, so would've definitely been there when the army rolled into town.

I also looked up the Palace where Andrey & Boris go to schmooze Dolgorukov - to no avail - but its not clear which of the five palaces in the city it was. I would imagine it was Edelmanns Palace (maps.app.goo.gl/ZTASFw8BYEt5t3BZ9) as that was just round the corner from that central square. That said, the Archbishops Palace looks the grandest and most 'palace like', suitable for two emperors: g.co/kgs/txevLf

I think palace must just have meant grand old house back then. Had to smile, I think Petrusov Palace (www.google.com/local/place/fid/0x47124f4ce831d9b9:0x4eb26e5a8cb7782f/photosphere) now appears to be a McDonald's!!

Bum - my links didn't work for some reason! Sorry about that

From Gradesaver:
Volume 1 Part III Chapter 9

Boris visits Prince Andrei at Olmütz. Although they are in different regiments, Boris asks Andrei to use his influence to obtain Boris a promotion to adjutant. Andrei takes Boris to visit Prince Dolgorukovv, who is even better placed to obtain the promotion for Boris. The men gossip about Napoleonn, after which Dolgorukov agrees to help Boris.

Catching up. I’m also really enjoying the less action focussed war chapters. I thought Andrey was great with Nikolai and really enjoyed the way he laid out Nikolai’s choices to duel or not to duel. These chapters are presenting andrey in a pretty good light. Nikolai is still growing up isn’t he.

This mornings news has really sobered me.. thinking of all those in the Ukraine and hope everyone you know is safe, Mb76. Feels strange to be reading about a long ago war whilst tensions and combat is still very much happening.

Yes. Thinking of you Mb76. I am so sorry it has come to this.

It's heartbreaking, I think Putin must have completely lost the plot and now he's making thinly veiled threats about nuclear weapons if the West intervenes on the side of Ukraine.
I can't imagine how difficult it is for you Mb76 watching this situation unfold.
I hoped against hope for a peaceful solution but now it all seems to have been inevitable, Putin was simply biding his time till he had the full force of the Russian military in place and the Beijing Olympics was over.

Thank you everyone ❤️ Today has not been a good day 😞

❤️🇺🇦

Chapter 10
After Kutuzov’s army wins another skirmish, Nikolai Rostov buys a horse from a captured French dragoon. Tsar Alexander inspects the troops again, and the men are infatuated with him – especially Nikolai. Captain Denisovv_ is promoted to major.

Thinking of you Mb76 Also feel sorry for ordinary Russians who only want peaceful, friendly relationships with their neighbours.

I thought Denisov bought the horse? The love for the Tsar is quite something, isn't it! I know that having the actual leader of your country on the battlefield, be that King or Emperor or the like, used to be so important and you can see why from the descriptions here.

Denisov asked the Cossacks to sell it, but Nikolay, throwing his money about, was the one who actually bought it.
He pays two gold pieces for it; didn’t Andrey give three to those wounded soldiers he passed, so extraordinarily generous?

Thinking of you @Mb76 it's a terrible situation, I can't even imagine how you are feeling.

I found today's chapter a bit dull. We got it from the other chapter, Nicolay has a massive crush on the Emperor.

I liked the bit where the Tsar looks through his lorgnette at the dead and wounded. What a sensitive soul he is!

From Gradesaver:
Chapter 11
Napoleon sends an envoy to ask for a peace treaty. The older Russian officers wish to stop advancing until the peace is negotiated, but the younger ones want to keep moving in order to crush the French. Prince Dolgorukov meets with Napoleon, but is unable to negotiate an immediate peace. The German general Weyrotherr_ develops a plan to attack the French. Prince Andrei proposes an alternate plan, but no one listens to him because Weyrother got his plan approved first.

Denisov asked the Cossacks to sell it, but Nikolay, throwing his money about, was the one who actually bought it

You're quite right and I guess since he lost his horse in the previous battle, makes sense he'd get himself a nice, shiny new one.

I'm finding it so strange to read this given current events. It's obviously a very different war - the French are the aggressors, the forms of combat are very different and it sounds like they try to avoid civilian areas (although they do tend to billet in villages and towns, it doesn't seem like the battles follow them there but I could be very wrong about that.. I'm sure the population were just as terrified as now!) But it just feels a bit close to reality...

I think you're right SanFranBear - although the technicalities have changed, I imagine being a civilian on either side (or a squaddie) is really not that different :(

Caught up on last four chapters today, 8-11.

“Cunctator” is certainly a word you have to be careful with!

I didn’t understand the meaning of the last paragraph, where Count Tolstoy says he’s about rice and cutlets?

What stand out to me is how deluded and sure all levels of military and bureaucracy can be … which makes me reflect about current situation.

I think, for the local population, with friendly troops, it probably depended on how punctilious the army was in paying a reasonable price for food, hay, firewood, pack animals, your daughter’s honour etc. And I don’t think even the most courteous soldiers could avoid some destruction of property/land, and there’s the spreading of disease.
I liked Bilibin’s quip about the multiethnic origins of the generals. I assumed that was Count Tolstoy’s way of declining to discuss military matters with the Tsar (currently languishing in his tent with the smelling salts), but it seems to have lost something in the translation.

Thinking of you, Mb76, and of everyone involved in this awful situation in Ukraine. I didn't for a second dream that we would end up reading this book alongside an actual war involving Russia.

I'm continuing to find the war chapters less engaging than the domestic ones, perhaps because they're more confusing (lots of technical terms for pieces of equipment and military ranks, and I keep forgetting who belongs to which regiment etc). However, I am being drawn in more as I start to see how the characters of each of the men (the main ones we are following) affects how they respond to their circumstances, and conversely how their experiences are starting to change them.

PS I am keeping an eye on the post count but if we get too close to 1000 please can someone tag me for a new thread

@BakeOffRewatch

Caught up on last four chapters today, 8-11.

“Cunctator” is certainly a word you have to be careful with!

I didn’t understand the meaning of the last paragraph, where Count Tolstoy says he’s about rice and cutlets?

What stand out to me is how deluded and sure all levels of military and bureaucracy can be … which makes me reflect about current situation.

I think the count said that he would leave matters of war to the general and that he wouldn't worry about it, but only think of nicer things (rice and cutlets). It looks to me that he wasn't going to pass the message on to the Tsar that Kutuzov was worried about losing the battle.

I don't think that the Briggs version has that word in it (cunctator). Whatever does that mean?!

@IsFuzzyBeagMise from Google:

Cunctator definition, a procrastinator; delayer.

Pics attached from my kindle.