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.

I had a moment of imagining little 11 year olds reading Les Liaisons and then realised you're an academic Cassandre and your first years will be all grown up

Chapter 15
Sonya discovers Anatole’s love letter and confronts Natasha about it. Natasha insists that the love between her and Anatole is real. Sonya is horrified. Natasha responds to Princess Marya’s letter by explaining that she is taking advantage of Andrei's promise of full freedom, and breaking the engagement. The next time they visit Hélène, Sonya notices Natasha having a private conversation with Anatole. She deduces that Natasha is about to elope and vows to stop her.

I've been away for the last few days but have caught myself back up and phew, what is Natasha playing at?

I have to agree that I think Andrey is by far the better match but thank you for pointing out its pure lust which she is feeling for Anatole and confusing for love. Agree that Tolstoy has, surprisingly, nailed how that feeling can be so overwhelming, especially in teenagers! Perhaps he had a similar liason in his past 😄

Anatole is a complete scoundrel and again, interesting points made about his and Helene's relationship. And Helene overall - she's definitely gaming the system for herself but there is no sisterhood! She's just playing with Natasha and her future - she gives Anatole some respectability which he most certainly doesn't deserve. Also enjoying the fact he's got a secret marriage although Fuck The Patriarchy, eh!? Natasha is well on her way to ruin just for entertaining the notion of a bit of fun with a hot guy but there will be no censure for him.. he'll walk away with reputation firmly intact 😡

Up until this point I've had little time for Natasha but I feel real sympathy for her in this predicament. It's a perfect storm - she thinks she's fallen in love with Andrei but he's at twice her age so there's little common ground, and once she accepts his proposal he visibly and emotionally cools towards her. (He has form for this: see pregnant chipmunk 🐿) His first act is to go away for a year, on his fathers advice, grow a pair Andrei FFS so she can consider whether or not he is the right man for her.
Having stirred up her teenage lust and romanticism he buggers off - FOR A YEAR! That must seem like an eternity for a 16 year old, and not only that but he delays his return to her due to a relapse in his illness. No doubt emphasising in her mind his health issues and the age difference.

Enter stage left a charismatic, hottie declaring undying love - closer to her in age and seemingly besotted - even his sister Hélène is telling Natasha, Anatole is madly in love with her and can talk about nothing else.
Now add in Andrei's mad/rude father and cold/weird sister who have a very obvious objection to the marriage because Natasha and her family are seen as beneath the Bolkonskis - and who can blame Natasha for deciding Anatole is her hearts desire and breaking off the engagement.

And whilst the reader knows Anatole is a total snake in the grass, who is already married and only interested in bedding Natasha, from her perspective he's a charming, rich, well connected, handsome Prince who has swept her off her feet and wants to marry her - what 16 year old worth their salt could resist such a romantic proposition 🤷‍♀️

Loyal Sonya - I love that little moment of heroism she is given at the end of the chapter, determined to save her friend ❤️

Yes indeed!

Sonya to the rescue!

Chapter 16
Meanwhile, Anatole has been plotting to elope with Natasha and to go abroad. Dolokhov has made all the practical arrangements for this, although he warns Anatole that it’s a terrible idea. Anatole insists on proceeding, and the men ride a troika to Marya Dmitrievna’s house, where Natasha is staying. She has made plans to meet them on the back porch.

this section has been riveting - I got ahead last week over half term as I couldn’t put it down - and it completely took me by surprise. I understand why your dh let the cat out of the bag rifling and hope you didn’t ltb over it. I’m feeling very middle aged as I admit I read it as fear of Anatole rather than lust at first and I’m not a fan of Helene - fair play to her for gaming the system, but I disapprove of her to using her freedom to throw Natasha and Anatole together rather than to sit down with a good book.

Dolokhov is a real snake, isn't he? Amazing what money let's you get away with though - can't believe their 'driver' kills horses just so his gentlemen can have their fun! 1800's Russia is not animal friendly 😉

Ah, the 19th century Russian Bullingdon Club again. They're horrible aren't they?

And clever Tolstoy, leaving us hanging with Sonya outside Natasha's room, and changing the focus to Anatole and Dolokhov, ramping up the tension while also piling on more evidence of how entitled and reckless they are.

Definitely not @SanFranBear - I still remember that poor bear from the early chapters

I wish the bear had eaten Dolokhov.

I think this is the best comment of the thread 😂

Thank you @ChannelLightVessel

Chapter 17
When they arrive at the house, two of Marya Dmitrievna’s man-servants are waiting. They try to force Anatole to come in and face the lady of the house. Anatole and Dolokhov narrowly escape.

Anatole and Dolokhov narrowly escape.

I thought Anatole had been caught but I was reading too quickly, perhaps, as was very caught up in this chapter. Real sense of urgency about it - once they'd actually left Anatole's house, that is.

I won't lie - I was a little upset that they didn't pull it off, if I'm honest! I know it would've spelled ruin for Natasha and that Anatole is a downright devil but I was secretly rooting for the elopement. Not sure why I dislike Natasha so much...

Oh no, I wasn't! I'm relieved it was stopped. He's awful. I'm worried about the impact it will have on Natasha though. He will get away scot free and she will suffer for it.

I'm relieved too! Poor Natasha.

My cat is worried about Natasha and wants to see what happens next :)

Your cat is adorable @IsFuzzyBeagMise 😻

So cute 🐈‍⬛

Oooh... cat! And what a beautiful one too, Fuzzy!

My two have been overcome with all the excitement and are having a little catnap to prepare for the next installment 🙀 (sorry, any excuse to share a picture of my kittens!)

That was honestly just one photo... not sure why it posted three times?!

Thank you for the cat compliments. He does like a good book :)

Ooh, beautiful kittens SanFranbear!

Beautiful cats!
Here’s my bibliophile. Has no one got a pet bear, then?