War and Peace Readalong thread 2022 - thread 2

[VikingNorthUtsire]

"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: www.amazon.co.uk/War-Peace-Vintage-Classics-Tolstoy/dp/0099512246/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

NB also this link for the kindle version: www.amazon.co.uk/War-Peace-Vintage-Classic-Russians-ebook/dp/B005CUS9AG/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

The Signet Classics edition, translated by Anne Dunnigan: www.amazon.co.uk/War-Peace-Signet-Classics-Tolstoy-ebook/dp/B001RWQVXA/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

The Penguin Classics edition, translated by Anthony Briggs: www.amazon.co.uk/War-Peace-Penguin-Popular-Classics-ebook/dp/B0033805UG/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

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.

Gosh, yes of course, Channel. I forgot that.

I envisioned Andreys year away a bit like how they used to send invalids and 'ladies with consumption' to the South Coast for the summer - supposed to be relaxing and better weather. Switzerland is surely better than Russia, weather-wise?

I love the idea of Denisov retiring to a little dacha of his own somewhere, living the easy life. I can't remember if he had family money although I'd guess perhaps not as he was obviously stealing for his troops rather than trying to bribe people?

🤣🤣🤣 Tolstoy and his hand fetish

We do get to hear what has happened to Denisov later on. I seem to remember feeling like Tolstoy had forgotten about him, and I hadn't, first time around.
No spoilers from me though 🤐

Sanfran, re Denisov's finances, there was some mention either in the text or in something that I read of his nickname, Vaska, being very working class. Although he did have dancing lessons at the same place the Rostov's, as the article below which I've cut and pasted (spoilers removed) points out, so he must have some money:

Denisov, the good guy from War and Peace

Denisov is the complete opposite of Dolokhovv_. Where Dolokhov is described as handsome, with piercing blue eyes and without moustache, Denisov is hairy, with a disheveled moustache, and eyes as black as coal. Dolokhov usually wins when playing cards (albeit cheating) and Denisov usually loses.
Their personalties couldn’t be more opposed either: although Tolstoy describes a rogue who drinks heavily and curses heartily when he introduces Denisov, from the way his eyes light up when he sees Nicholay it is immediately clear that he is a good guy.
Denisov has some endearing characteristics: he can’t pronounce the letter ‘r’. Everyone in the army calls him ‘Waska’, a rather childish diminutive of Wasili. He only makes an effort with his appearance when going into battle or in the company of ladies, making it clear where his priorities lie. Although we never find out much about Denisov’s background, he has an uncle with a high rank and that’s all, he is clearly from the same background as Nicholay, and has for instance had dancing lessons at the same place as all of the young Rostovs. Although he is short, he looks like a fine fellow on horseback and when dancing.
Denisov’s mazurka
There are four epic dance scenes in War and Peace: the old count Rostov, dancing like an ‘eagle’; a dance we haven't read yet!; Natasha’s dance with Andrey and then there is Denisov’s mazurka. He dances such a dazzling mazurka with Natasha, that she nearly falls in love with him. But she is only fifteen then, and Denisov is at least ten years older, practically an old man!
Denisov is, as he puts it himself, bewitched by Natasha and adores the whole family. When he proposes to Natasha, he doesn’t just propose to her, but to her whole family. Dolokhov takes revenge on Nicholay after Sonyaa_ has refused him; Denisov loves Nicholay more after Natasha’s refusal. At some point we can hear him mutter with a choked voice “Ah, what a mad bweed you Wostovs are!”.
A heart of gold
Denisov is driven by his care for others. He would give his life twice for any of the Rostovs and risks serious repercussions when he steals a food supply for his starving soldiers. His soldiers in turn like him, and show it by building him an extra nice ‘house’ during their exploits. He gets gloomy when bored and almost depressed when in hospital, but when he goes into action he is clearly in his element. His bravery does not require recognition from superiors, he would rather be respected by his equals and subordinates. The ones that are lucky enough to be loved by him, can count on his (albeit somewhat sentimental) devotion.
Beneath his rough exterior, but not very deep beneath it, Denisov has a heart of gold.

Aw. That's a lovely write-up on Denisov. Thanks Desdamona!

Thanks so much, Desdemona - that makes him sound like an absolute sweetheart!

As ever @DesdamonasHandkerchief that’s very illuminating.
It’s the pure mountain air, isn’t it, @SanFranBear, like in the Chalet School.

Chapter 2
When Nikolai arrives home, he berates the family steward, Mitenkaa_, whom he suspects of embezzling the family’s money. However, Mitenka seems to be innocent. Despite his bluster, Nikolai fails to do anything substantial to help the family finance and instead devotes his energy to hunting.

We had a busy time at work, I missed the thread for a while then made a couple of efforts to get back on but found it really hard. I had got out of sync and just couldn't manage to find the way back in. I started reading again anyway and dipping into the thread and I think I'm back in sync now.

But I was a bit confused by the proposal followed by the year apart and thought I might be re-reading what I'd read weeks ago.

So this is the second time Natasha has got engaged but her fiancee has then left the country? What a very bizarre way to run a relationship!

I think Natasha's first 'proposal' from Boris was never really made and her family refused her second one (Denisov) and he then banished himself in humiliation, so think this is really her first engagement, Bishy.

Andrey left the country at the urging of his dear Papa who doesn't rate the match very much and thinks/hopes that the year apart will result in a broken engagement. I think A & N would've married much sooner if 'allowed'.

Poor old Count Rostov - I think he'd really like Nikolay's input but because he showed loyalty to his steward (and Nikolay had it all wrong anyway), Nikolay just strops off to kill things. I fear for the Rostovs as I think a rather large fall is imminent - although Andrey could probably save them, couldn't he?

I've caught up! Woohoo.

Gosh, has Nikolai actually forgotten quite how much of this current financial crisis is his fault? Is he completely naive about money? Or in denial? I seem to remember someone translated the amount lost in the fateful card game and it was pretty huge (although papa Rostov had clearly been mismanaging his finances, and hiding it from his family, for some time before that)

I had forgotten that Andrei almost died! Thank you for the reminder. I wax just thinking "Yeah, babes, would love to but my doctor forbids me from leaving the spa for at least another three months" was an amazing excuse and one I would love to use at some point.

Chapter 3
Nikolai decides to go hunting for wolves. Natasha and young Pyotr insist on joining him.

I'm confused by the dates. Didn't Nikolai just come home in a sleigh? But now it's almost winter, no snow! Has he been home for a year?

Hmm...good question, rifling. It only feels like he's just in the door! I read back a bit and yes, he came home in a sledge.

Is it not spring? I remember we had the discussion a while back - did they follow a slightly different calendar then?

It seems like winter :)

Without spoiling I think we have another famous dancing scene coming up, more rustic this time - I'm excited!

Haha... ah yes, possibly 😁

@RebeccaNoodles there is a great history book with a title from that dance (about the cultural history of Russia). I’ll recommend it properly when we get there.

Oh I know the book you mean, StColumbo - I hadn't related it back to W&P

Chapter 4
Natasha impresses everyone with her hunting ability. The aging Count Rostov makes an error that costs the hunting party a large wolf.

I noticed there was actually a date at the start of today's chapter - 15 September - so we at least know for sure that's when Tolstoy meant. Weird if he came home by sled but maybe they had some on wheels (they didn't, I checked!)

I feel for the old Count - he seems childish in his dotage, just wanting to please and be pleased and his huntsman made me cross on his behalf.

Yes! I also felt sorry for the Count. He must have been well oiled though, after his brandy and half bottle of claret! I read on to the next chapter. A difficult read :(

I think Tolstoy is all over the place with dates and seasons. It's not something you normally notice but when you're reading forensically (like what we are 😊) it becomes very apparent!

#Team Wolf