War and Peace readalong thread 2022 - thread 3

[VikingNorthUtsire]

Welcome to the third thread. Please see the OP in threads 1 or 2 for the full info.on the readalong, links to different editions and translations, blog posts, etc.

I think most of us are established now so for this post I'll just re-shsre the reading schedule

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

Oh the poor Rostovs... I shed a tear reading about the Countess mourning her beloved son

16/11/22

Volume IV, Part 4, Chapter 4

Kutuzov slows down his pursuit of the French to allow his troops to rest. Tolstoy argues that it’s unfair that Napoleonn_ is remembered as a hero and Kutuzov as a “feeble old courtier”.

Thanks again for the summary Desdemona. One of (many!) chapters that bring home that Tolstoy’s intended audience had first or secondhand memory of the time, and ‘general knowledge’/views that he wanted to challenge.

17/11/22

Volume IV, Part 4, Chapter 5

Tolstoy continues to argue that Kutuzov is under-appreciated.

Tolstoy is certainly in the Kutusov Appreciation Camp.

While I was reading this chapter, I thought of the characters of Napoleon and Kutuzov and the old adage came to mind; Empty vessels make the most noise.

18/11/22

Volume IV, Part 4, Chapter 6

Kutuzov prepares the troops for one last battle at Krasnoe. He is unhappy with the conditions that his own men and the French prisoners of war must live in.

Hello everyone, I stepped away from this thread some time after the war in Ukraine started, but @DesdamonasHandkerchief let me know it was still going. I’m not ready to resume reading sadly but I wanted to share the rest of the illustrations from my books. There’s quite a few but I realise some may contain spoilers. How much of the book have you got left?

i will share some that are definitely safe for now

Some more, I love Young Natasha Rostova illustrations

Maybe that’s it for now. I see Kutuzov mentioned above, so that’s the last image

Hi Mb76! It's very good to hear from you.
The pictures are wonderful.

We're nearly at the end of the book; the last part before the epilogues.

Thank you so much Mb76 s

Oops that posted to soon!
Some wonderful illustrations to savour. I particularly like the one of Natasha in the window. I'm presuming this is the night she fell in love with Andrei.

Also loving Natasha doing the traditional Russian peasant dance at her uncles love shack!

Thank you @Mb76 - those are amazing!

19/11/22

Volume IV, Part 4, Chapter 7

The soldiers set up camp and prepare for the battle.

Yes that’s right

Good to see you Mb76. Thanks for the beautiful illustrations, how wonderfully they convey ‘war’ and ‘peace’!

Thank you everyone 😊 I think it’s safe to post some more illustrations as you’re nearly at the end of the book

Aw, look at Petya :(
Also the little lavender-coloured dog looking at Platon.

Thanks Mb76. These are brilliant.

You’re welcome everyone, enjoy. There are only two more left and they are from the peace part

Thank you for the beautiful illustrations @Mb76 I hope all’s well with you and yours.

20/11/22

Volume IV, Part 4, Chapter 8

Several foot soldiers bicker as they prepare their food.

Stunning illustrations, mb76... and yes, little Petya is probably the most heartbreaking of them all - he just looks so eager and wanting to please! The one of the mass execution that Pierre witnessed is also very evocative - as are the earlier ones of the battlefields.

I hope your family are OK, mb76. Thanks for taking the time to upload those pictures!

I find it interesting that Tolstoy is lauding Kuzutov to the heavens now the end is in sight but seemed to portray him as a doddery, old man in the heart of the war. I don't know if it goes back to the whole 'no one action or one man changed the course of anything' narrative that Tolstoy banged on about for several chapters? He's just getting his admiration for Kuzutov down on paper maybe?

21/11/22

Volume IV, Part 4, Chapter 9

Two French soldiers approach the company and ask to surrender themselves because they are dying of exposure to the cold. As it turns out, they are Captain Ramballee_ and his orderly. The orderly entertains the Russians by teaching them some songs.

Have we come across Captain Ramballee before as I don't remember him?

I thought the Russians were very generous given how low their own supplies must be - nothing compared to the French but I suppose everyone can be magnanimous in victory!