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

So far the votes are pretty even between Les Mis, Dostoyevsky, Don Quixote and Anna K. Looking like a definite no for the others. Anyone else want to vote?

That's really interesting ref Les Mis Rebecca, I hadn't realised the timelines overlapped.

Yes, very interesting about the overlap!

Despite my original reluctance to read Les Miz, I'm coming round to the idea. I've realised I must have been in my teens when I read it the first time, so it really has been a long time. There's also a new (2015) translation by Christine Donougher (Penguin Classics) which has excellent reviews.

Hello all and Merry Christmas! I'm still here too, although an operation and other crazy things dropped me off the thread for a while. I'm just coming to the end of the second epilogue and so excited to have finished W&P, which I never would have managed without the chapter-a-day suggestion and the insights and fun of you lot, despite me mostly being a lurker.

I broadly knew the ending but it was fascinating to see the main characters paired off and get insights into their marriages and how the years of war and loss had changed them. The total transformation of Natasha from fun-loving sprite to one-track wife was a bit of a shock, but Tolstoy has her making the role her own. I must say, the female characters do seem to be upset or jealous half the time while proclaiming they've never been happier.

And poor Sonya. Can't even remember if she made it into the BBC version of W&P – it seems her sole role in the end was to adore and then sacrifice her love for impetuous youngster Nikolai. It's hard to believe she doesn't realise and isn't affected by being friendless and resented, but as everyone has said, it seems to be the way of the penniless relative.

I quite liked the portrayal of Countess Rostov and how younger people can appear to bend to the whims of the elderly while actually enduring and patronising them. I'm not sure much has changed.

The second epilogue is slightly more readable than I was expecting but I'm aiming to finish it by the weekend as it's the least festive thing imaginable!

Thanks to you all for your fantastic insights, summaries, photographs, maps, links and so on – it's been an absolute pleasure.

I was wondering if Les Mis would feel a bit 'more of the same' in terms of diversions and war after W&P, but I'm up for it – it's certainly a gift with the number of chapters. I'd be happy with Dostoevsky too. I also liked the Eliot idea but I can see it's less popular. I've read (and loved) Anna K and Vanity Fair so probably wouldn't do those again. And I'm definitely out when it comes to James Joyce 😅

I still haven’t looked at epilogue 2, finding excuses!

Wrt the Les Mis, Dostoyevsky, Don Quixote and Anna K shortlist I admit my initial reaction was anything but Les Mis, but that was based on nothing more than the musical, so I’d aim to join in with it or with any of the others. The others are all books I’d like to read.

I'm also failing to read Epilogue 2 - Must Do Better

My vote would be for Anna Karenina despite my irritation with Tolstoy, largely because I'd like to read the farming chapters.

Always up for Dumas, I read all the Musketeers books in my youth & would happily revisit any of them. I'd give Dostoyevsky a go, not sure that I'm keen on Ulysses or Don Quixote. Not so keen on Les Mis, I've read it & I think once was enough.

It's a shame Les Liaisons Dangereuses is only 175 letters, that would be a fun daily read-along with a very short commitment per day.

I'm also struggling to read the second epilogue! I vote NO for Ulysses and Don Quixote too. Open to the others.

I ploughed through it. The chapters aren't very long though, which is something!

I’ve just started the final part before the Epilogues. Catching up very slowly.

So where has the voting left us? Is it Les Mis vs Anna Karenina. Am I correct in my skim
reading that those who have read Les Mis are less keen to reread but those who have read Anna K don’t mind rereading?

Anna K is 271 chapters if I remember correctly and was supposed to take until Sept but I finished early.

Oooh, Les Liaisons Dangereuses! Could that be combined with Anna K to finish the year? Maybe 2 letters a day? Just throwing it out there.

Anna is 239 chapters according to Wikipedia. I loved reading it in my 20s. Even the farming!

Anna K and Les Liaisons Dangereux is a good call!

Dostoyevsky is still in the picture too (but not Don Quixote I think).

It's funny, I was just thinking this thread has a bit of a First Epilogue feel to it..... We started off in January buoyant and full of energy, we've been through some ordeals, we've lost quite a few along the way, and here we are, the survivors. I'm Denisov - I disappeared in the middle and probably everyone thought I wasn't coming back but here I am in the middle of things as the story draws to a close 😁

I think, reluctantly, that I need to concentrate on my own reading next year and trying to get my mojo back, so I won't vote on next year's book.

Do you pronounce your username wiking 😂

I really like that analogy, Viking 😁

😂

I've read AK but can't remember it well and would quite like to reread. (I had also read W&P but had no memory of it at all - not sure if that's good or bad...)

Almost through the second epilogue now. Are we reading Tolstoy's notes as well? 🤔

Hi all I've really fallen behind and currently am at 86% on my kindle. Life just got in the way these last few months but I'm determined it'll be done by NY! I'm happy to read either LM or AK for the new readalong.

This sounds like a winner to me. If Viking is taking a break (thank you so much for all your efforts), I’m happy to do the Anna K splitting up etc.

Obviously, pending actual decision 😀

Finished! Thank you to everyone for this thread. I would probably have given up in March without it. Wasn't there a plan to watch it now?

@StColumbofNavron thanks - sounds good to me too. There's not much love for Les Mis is there! But happy with whatever is decided.

Rifling, I'd love to rewatch the most recent bbc version. Although not home till the 28th

Rifling, I'm going to watch the BBC miniseries over the next week or so!

StColumbo, that's a very generous offer on your part, and I for one would be very happy to take you up on it. Your knowledge of Russian history would stand us in good stead if we do go for Anna K.

On my bookshelf (unread) I also have Tolstoy's early semi-autobiographical book, Childhood, Boyhood, Youth. The three short works together add up to 100 short chapters, so I was wondering about the possibility of adding them on to an Anna K read. Just a thought.

www.amazon.co.uk/Childhood-Boyhood-Youth-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140449922/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=childhood+boyhood+youth&qid=1671918250&sr=8-1

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!
I have a nasty cold so am not feeling super holidayish. Never mind...

Slogged my way through Epilogue 2 and jave finally finished... phew!

In addition to his old 'faith vs science' discussion early on, I did find it sort of interesting (although Boy! Does he labour a point!) The discussion around evolution I thought was rather fun and the final bir about free will was fascinating for the first chapter or so but then became rather longwinded!

So hooray - completed before the end of the year and really enjoyed it. I didn't find it quite so awe inspiring as the last time I read it but perhaps that was more just inner pride at having finished such an epic? I don't know but I certainly enjoyed our discussions, chatting along with you all made me think far more!

As to next year and further to all your posts and the whittling down of our longlist, my vote is for Anna K with possibly Tolstoys Childhood book popped on the end (which I am pretty sure will see me Tolstoy'd out for some time after!!)