Group Read: War and Peace

If you're interested in reading and discussing Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace in the first quarter of 2016 (January through March), you've come to the right place! Here are a couple initial items to discuss:

1. How should we structure this group read? My thought was that we could break the novel down by "books"/volumes, of which there are four. This would mean that we'd devote about three weeks to each volume, and then we could all discuss the book (with spoilers) up to that point. Do people like this general plan? And if so, what should the breakdown be? Here's one sample breakdown I came up with:

Book 1 (Parts 1-3) -- January 1-23 -- discussion thread is here
Book 2 (Parts 4-8) -- January 24-February 13 -- discussion thread is here
Book 3 (Parts 9-11) -- February 14-March 5 -- discussion thread is here
Book 4 (Parts 12-15 & Epilogues) -- March 6-31 -- discussion thread is here

This is just one example, of course! It gives a relatively equal amount of time to each volume, and all the discussion "deadlines" would be on Saturdays (except for March 31).

2. Which translation will you be reading? There are several translations of this novel into English, and I doubt we'll all be reading the same one! So, how are you choosing which translation to read? For those (like me) who have never read the book before, here is a pretty thorough comparison of the various translations: http://ospidillo-blog.blogspot.ca/2011/02/which-translation-of-war-and-peace.htm....

So, who's in? What translation will you be reading? And are you going to watch the new miniseries?

Thank you for setting this up Christina! I like the schedule but I am flexible with starting a bit later if that works better.

ETA: I have the Maudes translation on my Kindle so I will be going with that one. Glad to know it's highly recommended.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation, which I read a few years ago. I'll be lurking, but I will probably not be reading because I'm doing a group read of Moby Dick.

I definitely will be watching the miniseries when it's shown in the US; Andrew Davies is a fantastic adapter/screenwriter and I wouldn't miss it!

Thanks for setting up this thread, Christina. I'm fine with the schedule you've posted.

I'd read the Maudes' translation a few years ago. I'm thinking of giving the Pevear & Volokhosky translation a try this time around, because it includes the original French. My French is a bit rusty but I can probably manage without having to look at the footnotes too often. Glad to hear that you enjoyed the P&V translation, >3 kac522:.

I like the schedule and am looking forward to starting the year with this. The translation I'll be reading is the Louise and Almyer Maude version as it's the one used by Easton Press and the version that I own.

I like the schedule. I'm happy we're starting off the year with this!

War and Peace is a reread for me; I read it the first time about ten years ago. I remember loving the characters but getting bored during the war descriptions. I own the Constance Garnett translation which is what I read the first time. I will probably read it again. I'm curious about the Pevear and Volokhosky translation but a little apprehensive. I may buy the kindle version of their translation to do some comparisons. I did not particularly like their Doctor Zhivago translation as I found the translation clunky. I think it's more literal but suspect that it makes the syntax not work as well in English. I also read their Life and Fate translation and felt the same way. Since I can't read Russian it's impossible to know if that's just the original tone or a fault of translation.

I'd love to compare a paragraph here or there from all of our different translations after we start reading.

>6 japaul22: I'd love to compare a paragraph here or there from all of our different translations after we start reading.

Marvellous idea!

I'll do W&P with the group. It's been on my TBR virtual pile forever. My edition is the by a British scholar Briggs and this is what critics say, "Briggs will face competition next year when Pevear and Volokhonsky release their new translation, but for now, this is the most readable translation on the market." I think it would be most interesting to compare paragraphs from different translations!

I'm happy with the reading schedule, will be using the Maude translation

I'm in - I just ordered a copy of the Penquin Classic edition with the Briggs translation. Thanks so much for the wonderful web link to the various translations - otherwise I would have been closing my eyes and randomly picking a translation to read.

I read W&P this year (it was my personal challenge to myself to read it in a year - I managed it in 10 months), using the Maudes' translation. My friend reckons that Constance Garnett fancied herself as Jane Austen and that affected her translation! I must admit I went with the Maudes' for no other reason than that was the version available on Project Gutenberg, but I did think it was OK.

I won't read it again (just yet anyway!) but I'll keep half an eye on any thread and contribute if I can, as it's hopefully close enough to having finished it to be able to contribute.

I'm still deciding which translation to use...I believe the Maudes, Pevear/Volokhonsky, and Briggs are all available at my library. I may go with Briggs because it's said to be very readable, while Pevear/Volokhonsky is supposed to be more academic or word-for-word.

I just placed my order for the Pevear/Volokhonsky-translation. I've been meaning to read this for ages and now I may actually make it through, with your assistance/nudging. :)

Thanks, Christina, for setting this up. This one has been on my bucket-list and I planned on reading it last January and I bailed, last minute. A Group-Read is the perfect excuse, to finally dive in.

The Pevear/Volokhonsky-translation sounds good. Are there other translations, that are highly regarded?

Did you all see the buzz about the new tv adaptation of War and Peace?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/12023569/BBC-under-fire-for-ripe-and-inappro...

I'm not much of a tv watcher, so maybe I won't bother with this. I'm still unclear about when it is actually airing in the U.S. anyway.

I just picked up the Garnett translation. May add the Pevear/Volokhonksy if I really get motivated.

>15 japaul22: Yikes, that article doesn't sound encouraging. I'm still planning to watch the adaptation (if I can figure out when it's airing in the U.S.), but forewarned is forearmed!

I picked up the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation a couple of years ago and hoped to get involved with an LT group read or two along the way but never really got going.

Maybe, reading it over the first quarter will be just what I need. I've long wanted to read it.

Thanks for setting this up, Christina.

Hi Christina, I'd love to join this group read as I purchased the Penguin Classic Briggs translation last year. It's too daunting to read on my own but I'm not a member of the 2016 Category Challenge Group. Can I tag along, just for War and Peace?

I know..reading ahead (because I'm afraid of getting behind!). I started W&P yesterday. Read the first 8-9 pages.

Fantastic, I have had the book staring at me for a while now!

I'll be reading the Garnett translation. I have been putting this off for too long, looking forward to January.

I have the Folio Society edition just waiting for some love. I must check the translation. Looking forward to it!

>19 Carmenere: I hope Christina doesn't mind my answering on her behalf, but I can't see anyone objecting to people who are not members of the challenge group participating in this thread. I've run several group reads in the past years, and we've often had other members join us. The more the better, I say!

>19 Carmenere: >24 mathgirl40: - The more the merrier! I don't think everyone has to be part of the category challenge to participate in the group read.

I'm still sitting on the fence but thinking about joining Lynda (Carmenere) by buying a Briggs translation and joining in. I'm also not a member of the Challenge group but the idea of a group read of this classic is very appealing. I doubt I would otherwise read it.

..

(^I couldn't decide which photo to post... :-) )

eta: I'll start by purchasing the book.

This is the motivation I need to read this book. I have the Garnett translation on my shelf.

>24 mathgirl40: >25 LittleTaiko: Thanks for your comments! I will start W&P this week in the hope that Christina agrees with you. This is a novel I just do not want to attempt alone.

>26 EBT1002: LOL Time to take the leap, Ellen Fingers crossed we'll be doing this together

Weird_O's in. I've got a two-volume Heritage Press edition, translation by the Maudes, which is what I'll read (I think). I also have a Greenwich House edition, translation by Rosemary Edmunds.

I've challenged myself (and everyone else) to read a doorstop each month during 2016. Drawing this out over three months messes with my schedule, but I'll cope.

Couldn't resist. Already started.

Oops. Double post.

I will probably start it a bit early. I've read plenty of chunksters in my lifetime, as well as lots of difficult nonfiction. War and Peace has always scared me and I've started on it a few times.

Eager to really get to it this time, by reading some regularly.

I have the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation. I read their The Master and Margarita, and enjoyed it very much. However, I could not get past the first paragraph of their Dr. Zhivago...I thought it was wretched. But I was already familiar with that novel, and had not read M&M before. So I hope I don't find their War and Peace clunky and literal. I did have another version at one time, a Signet Classic paperback, but I'm not sure it even credited the translator, and it's gone now. So it's P&V or nobody. I'm going to give it a try.

(>26 EBT1002: Get off the fence, Ellen!)

Thinking about it...

May I ask a question? My copy is one volume, 15 Parts and and a 2 part Epilouge. So I assume I would read 5 parts- to make one book? Do you think this is correct?

I plan to participate. I made it halfway through way back when, and I'd like to get through the rest.

There is an old thread in the 75 Book Challenge for 2011. The introduction thread (which is here) has the divisions.

Book 1: Parts 1-3
Book 2: Parts 4-8
Book 3: Parts 9-11
Book 4: Parts 12-15
Epilogues 1 & 2

>37 March-Hare: Thank you, that will be a big help.

>37 March-Hare: yes, very helpful. I just checked and my edition is the same as >35 Book-Dragon1952: - 15 parts plus Epilogue.

I'm in for this. I'll be reading the Signet Classics, Dunnigan translation edition.

>19 Carmenere: >24 mathgirl40: >25 LittleTaiko: Sorry it took me so long to answer, but yes, you are welcome to join this group read even if you aren't in the 2016 Category Challenge group. As far as I'm concerned, all are welcome!

>37 March-Hare: Thanks for this info...I'll put it at the top of the thread so that people can see it more easily.

I'm considering this, I read it before and loved it, just seeing if I can squeeze it in, I have the P&V Penguin translation.

I am in......

>41 christina_reads: Thanks Christina! I'm really excited about reading W&P with this group!

i read the Constance Garnett translation 50 years ago. will be reading the Ann Dunnigan, this time. this is my favorite book of all time!

Found a little more info about the upcoming TV series! Apparently it is premiering in the U.S. on Monday, January 18, at 9pm EST. It will be broadcast simultaneously on A&E, Lifetime, and HISTORY networks. Of course, I won't have finished the book by then, so I'll probably DVR the episodes and watch them in April. :)

Interesting article from 2005 on translations:

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2005/11/07/the-translation-wars

I will be reading the Modern Library, Constance Garnett translation.

Well, I ordered the Penguin Classic Antony's Brigg's translation..... It's a good first step.

Count me in! I have repeatedly tried - and failed each time - to read W&P. Looking forward to some group encouragement to finally make it through this tome. Like a number of other readers in the group, I will be reading the Louise and Almyer Maude version. At least, I think that is the version I have on my e-reader. Will report back if I discover I have a different translation.

Is the idea going to be to have a different thread for each "book" listed in the reading plan? I'm thinking it might help discussion and avoiding spoilers to have a different thread for each section. Also, people can read at their own pace and post in each thread as they get to that section.

I'm excited to read this with everyone!

>51 japaul22: I hadn't really thought about whether to do additional threads or not, so I'm happy to have others weigh in! I certainly don't mind posting a separate thread for each "book" on the relevant date -- i.e., the Book 1 spoiler thread would go up on January 23. But maybe it would be annoying for people to have to keep track of multiple threads. Thoughts from the group?

I'll be reading the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation, combined with the Maudes version on audiobook. I've found I like combining print with audio on really big books. Somehow, I've managed to read Anna Karenina three times so far in my lifetime, but have yet to find courage to plunge into W&P because of the sheer size and war topic. Hopefully this group read will get me going and help me stick to it.

I think the idea of one thread per book is a good one, for the reasons stated in >51 japaul22:. People will inevitably read at different speeds, and since it's such a huge tome, breaking it up seems like a good idea to keep the discussions more focused. I think 4 threads are entirely manageable, and all you need to is post the links on the principal thread to help people find them.

I think the one thread per book is good, keeps the discussion to that book and will feel more do-able. looking forward to getting started! :)

I agree, I like the one thread method too.
Perhaps a quick refresher on how to post spoilers is called for whereby the spoiler is greyed out only to be revealed by clicking on it. blah blah blah I can do it but I can explain how I did it. :0}

I have the Modern Library Garnett translation so I think I will try to join in. I'll probably get behind so I like the idea of a thread for each part as well.

I have a Kindle version and have not yet been able to discover which translation it is. Nevertheless, I will read some in this book today to start the New Year off on the right action.... Hope I'll be able to keep up.

Happy Reading in the New Year to us all!

Happy New Year, everyone! The War and Peace group read starts TODAY! :) I've got my copy from the library (I went with the Briggs translation), and I'm looking forward to getting started. Based on your feedback, it looks like I'll be posting a discussion thread (with spoilers!) for Book 1 (Parts 1-3) on January 23. But please, let's try to keep this general thread spoiler-free for both the book and the TV adaptation. If you want to discuss something spoilery, put it under a spoiler cut, like so. (If you don't know how to do this, just ask, and we'll let you know!)

I'm hoping to try to read this for a set amount of time each day, though I might have to adjust that amount of time, based on my progress, though I'm ok with finishing it past the first quarter.

I read the introduction to the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation this morning, and proceeded to Chapter 1. The hardcover edition is going to be a physical challenge!

Reading to go! I have the The Modern Library, Garnett translation. I have to read 15 pages a day to keep up. Looking forward to the discussions. Happy New Year everyone.

I went back to post >1 christina_reads: to look at the link of all the translations. I really spent some time with it and decided to join Katie in the Signet, Dunnigan translation. It seems straight forward for a first time reader and it's available on Kindle. That will save my wrists injury! ;-) I'll begin today.

"If everyone fought for their own convictions there would be no war."

I liked this "favorite quote" which I read today. Now, I'm at location 1273 on the Kindle, Chapter X of Book 1.

Thank you lkernagh, for sharing this GR with me! I hope to join you with the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation, which I just purchased. I enjoyed their translation of Anna Karenina very much, and look forward to his one. Not so daunting somehow when reading with a group. I only hope I can keep up!

I've just started the Folio Society edition. It's a beautiful one to read. It's the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation so I'll be joining everyone with this one. Going to do my best to keep up.

I've started now as well. I'm reading the Constance Garnett translation in print, but because the book is so massive I thought I'd download a free version for my kindle as well. I often do that and just switch back and forth at chapter points. Well, when I tried to switch to my kindle when I got in bed last night I realized that the chapter breakdowns are completely different! I have the Aylmer translation on my kindle and though the large "parts" seem to be in the same places, the interior chapters are not broken in the same places. I'm not sure if that is just a fault of the kindle version I downloaded (the freebies are often not formatted well) or if they really are different in different edition/translations.

Yes, I noticed that the Kindle divisions are quite different from the proposed stages of reading. I think I'll just motor on in the Kindle. I'm not sure I want to try to connect a print version with it, seems like a lot of work; reading it is probably enough work for me.

I am switching back and forth between audio and print - in print I have the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation because that is what was on my shelf, and the audio I have is narrated by Neville Jason. Listened to the first three chapters so far, and I like the narrator.

For those of us in the UK, the BBC have also just produced a 6 episode version of War & Peace - first episode shows tomorrow on BBC1. I'm not sure how they'll manage to condense it into 6 hours when it is so epic, but I'm sure it will look marvellous. I'm not a big TV watcher, but I can't wait. (I read W&P last year so think I will appreciate this)

I'm 50 pages in and it's totally caught me! So glad this was suggested for a group read - just needed that extra nudge to pick it up!

I hope to have the chance to join you soon. I've got two other books to finish and will start with War and Peace after them.
I participated in the 2011 challenge but because of university duties I only managed 600 pages. But I remember to have loved them.

Again I am going to read the German translation published by Aufbau Verlag:



Wish me luck to finish it this time!

I started today - a heavy book for the bath I can tell you - I'm going to watch the BBC version after I've finished the book, I'll record it and save it up as a reward. I'm reading the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation, I've read it before and found it easy to follow. I'd forgot about the schedule, but this is great as I'm also trying to read Proust and Middlemarch for group reads, crazy, I know!

OK, I'm off and running with it. This guy turns out to be a pretty good writer, doesn't he? :-)

I started yesterday and I'm really enjoying it, just made a cup of tea and I'm going to curl up here and read for the next few hours ...

I've been reading since mid December simply because I'm such a slow reader. I'm up to Part III of Book 1 and I'm really impressed that Tolstoy can hold the reader so easily. Whether he's describing party scenes or battles, I'm equally enthralled.

The main thing I struggled with, till quite a long way into the book, was that I really didn't like any of the characters! If I hadn't challenged myself to read it in a year I might have given up, because I didn't particularly care what happened to any of them. By the end I still didn't like many of them (apart from Pierre, for whom I had a soft spot throughout, and Sonya, although I was a bit disappointed with her in the end), but something about the writing drew me in so that I really had to find out what happened to them all.

>72 katrinasreads: a heavy book for the bath I can tell you. I am worried about that, too, for I do my best (and only uninterrupted) reading in the bath!

Part I is complete and so far it's been very good. He really has quite the sense of humor.

I have also started listening to the audiobook of War and Peace. So far, I am not having any difficulties following the various characters but I am only 7 to 10 chapters in. The reason I say 7 to 10 chapters is I have discovered something rather odd. I stopped my audiobook when the narrator announced Chapter 7, but when I went to bookmark my ebook - just in case I decide the audiobook proves too much for me - it would appear that I have jut finished Chapter 9 and about to start Chapter 10. I have no idea why this difference in chapters, but it is bugging me a little bit.

Lori, I am having the same problem because my audiobook and my print book are not the same translation.

I had intended to order the P&V translation from the library, but it was the Garnett that was waiting for me. I had the librarian order the correct one, and the Maude translation is on its way, but will probably start reading the Garnett to get started.

I started today as well and have read the first 5 chapters. I was hooked in from the very first paragraph, and much enjoyed all I've read so far. However, it was very slow going, as are all Russian novels for me, since at the beginning there is quite a job of figuring who is who, what with first name, patronymic, last name and the various and many nicknames. I keep flipping back to the character list, but this will probably stop being necessary once I've reached cruising speed. Also, my Penguin edition includes very useful notes on the text, which provide background information on things a contemporary reader would probably have been aware of.

>65 klarusu: Claire, I've been strongly considering getting said Folio Society edition—so gorgeous!—, especially as it's on the member's New Year sale (though I could wish for a steeper rebate for such an expensive set), but was wondering whether there are any notes on the text included. I suppose not, since it is not in their habit to include those, but I thought you were the best person to ask!

>82 Smiler69: It's a beautiful edition ... definitely not one for reading in the bath ;-) It's well annotated for Folio. The French conversation is dealt with via footnotes on each page & there are 43 pages of endnotes, plus an historical index and a summary index. My only issue is that the notes for both volumes are at the end of volume 2 which means I need both of the large books out together. It's a minor quibble though - I've just got into the habit of periodically swapping books and catching up on notes all at once before I forget what they're referring to.

>83 klarusu: I would appreciate W&P being in 2 volumes, even if it meant swapping back and forth to read the end notes. The one volume edition, with footnotes and end notes, is SO big and SO heavy. Even my cat protests that it interferes with her getting in my lap! But I am enjoying the reading, very much. The French passages seem to be diminishing, and that's a bit of a relief, actually.

>84 laytonwoman3rd: I can't imagine this in a single volume! These two are large but the font is a perfect size - I'd take 2 moderate heavies over a large single any day, too. I'm surprised at how little I need to refer to the French translations. Apparently, I've retained more French from the 9 years I studied it at school than I thought ;-)

I'm six chapters into the book and quite enjoying it so far! But I'm SUPER annoyed that I read the introduction (to the Briggs translation...it's by Orlando Figes) because it contains a big fat spoiler! I should have known better than to read the intro, but it looked so short and harmless. Oh well, live and learn. But seriously, don't read the intro unless you don't mind being spoiled!

I'm closed to finished with Part 2. I sailed through part 1, but my eyes glaze over if I try to read more than a few pages at a time of the war account in part 2. One thing I like, though, is how Tolstoy uses "our" and "us" when talking about the Russian side of the war. It puts the narrator solidly in the Russian/Austrian camp and separates from the French.

I'm aiming for 1 to 2 percent on my Kindle every day. That'd put me at finishing by the end of the first quarter.

Does the amount of French continue throughout? The Kindle has an easy link but it's a hassle to keep toggling over.

I've finally gotten started and my goal is about 30 pages a day. Sounds like a "pittance," but there are loads of notes and I want to read all of them, so I'll take my time. So far, I'm enjoying it, but I haven't gotten into the war parts yet. :)

>88 lindapanzo:
From what I understand, the French continues, but is most frequent in the beginning of the book.

I know this is just the general discussion thread but I think it is safe to share this personal observation here: I managed to get in some walking and audiobook reading of War and Peace today. I am continuing to enjoy the story and so far, not getting to confused by the influx of characters. I did have a bit of a giggle when I discovered that one of the young couples in the story is Boris and Natasha. Yes, I couldn't help but picture a different Boris and Natasha from my childhood memories - you know.... the Russian couple in the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons. I guess I am not supposed to be having this much fun reading War and Peace. ;-)

>90 lkernagh: Ah, yes, the Badinovs. :) I noticed that as well!

Hi all! I've only just discovered this group read (courtesy of a post on the 75 challenge (thank you Roni!), so I'm dipping in from over there...). War and Peace has been on my TBR tomes pile for years, so this is an excellent push to finally get around to reading it.

I've got the beautiful Folio Society edition too (a lovely present several years back), but it is rather massive, so I'll probably be dipping between that and the free Kindle download I have (it'll be interesting to see the differences in translation...). I'm toying with getting an audio version too - does anyone have any recommendations? I'm really fussy about the narrator for audiobooks...

>88 lindapanzo: That sounds like a rational approach. It's sure not a fast read! I've got the Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky translation, and one of the things I like is they footnote translations of the French.

>92 flissp: I am listening to the audio narrated by Neville Jason, and I think he is doing a very good job with it.

>92 flissp: - I am listening to a Blackstone Audio copy with Frederick Davidson narrating. It is working pretty good for me, but I am still trying to figure out which translation the narrator is reading.... all I know is it is not the Louise and Almyer Maude version. I have that version as an e-book and I have noticed differences between the audiobook and the e-book.

>95 lkernagh:
I checked Audible and it looks like the Frederick Davidson one is translated by Constance Garnett.

>96 -Eva-: - Thanks!

I wish I could join this group read but right now I have too many books lined up to feel comfortable adding such a large tome to the list. I'm enjoying reading everyone's thoughts on it, though.
The mini-series seems really good (and my friends in the UK can't stop raving about it) so I'm sure I'd like it, but I'm a bit wary of watching it when I haven't read the book. I prefer book-before-film most of the time.

Come on, you know you want to.

>98 PawsforThought: Living in the UK, the temptation is great but I'm in your camp and much prefer to read the book first so I have also resisted!

I keep debating on W&P. I'll probably go with the Kindle version since it is such a chunkster. I don't want to borrow an e-book version from the public library and only have 21 days to read it.

>101 thornton37814: I'm not sure if they have a kindle-friendly version, but I got my ebook copy free from Project Gutenberg.

Oh - if W&P is on Project Gutenberg, I might prefer to get it there. The Kindle version is 99 cents. I'll check to compare translations.

I've completed Volume I (Book 1) so war weary! AND on schedule! On to Volume II (Book 2).

I've been marathoning it with W & P, and am close to the end. I thought I'd made it, but then the Epilogue keeps going on and on . . .

P.S. Now it's the Second Epilogue . . .

I'm also ahead of schedule, but not that far (2 epilogues???).

I expected this, but I find I really get more out of this book if I read in large chunks. Otherwise I can't get the flow and breadth of the book. I am about to finish part 5. After that I'll take a few days break to read a short book so that I feel like I'm accomplishing something.

I'm very much enjoying it.

Wow, I'm very impressed by those who have read ahead...and feeling a bit ashamed that I'm still in Book One! But I'm really enjoying the social comedy aspects of the book. The battle stuff is more boring for me, but I'm hoping there's not too too much of it? Looking forward to discussing with spoilers on the 23rd! :)

^I agree on the social comedy aspects. My wife heard me laugh while reading W & P last night, and said in disbelief, "You're laughing at War and Peace?"

Wish I could tell you there isn't a lot of war/battle stuff. He's fascinated by it.

>108 jnwelch: I mean, "war" is right there in the title, so I guess I should expect a lot more of it! :)

>109 christina_reads: LOL!

>105 jnwelch: my friend with the Masters degree in Russian literature says that everyone skips those bits. So I felt less guilty when I skimmed them.

>107 christina_reads: I'm still on Book 1 too (but on track to finish by Jan. 23), so you're not alone. I'm enjoying the P&V translation.

I've heard about skipping the battle bits being quite common for W&P readers too. Haven't quite done that yet, but did read a little bit faster and let my eyes glaze over once in a while.

I didn't skip or skim the battle bits, but that's sure a tempting idea in retrospect. I thought Russians would probably be more interested in those bits than the rest of us.

I'm done, and favorably impressed by the book (he's a genius, no doubt about it), but I do have a bone to pick. If you've read W & P, you can read my bone-picking rant here (I put it under a spoiler shield): http://www.librarything.com/topic/214466#5425406

Bravo Joe! I'm only a couple of hundred pages in, so will visit your rant when I'm done, maybe 6 weeks from now or so...

I thought some of you may be interested in this article. Richard Pevear's "Some Thoughts on Translating Tolstoy and Others" originally published in the March 2014 issue of the Folio Magazine.

http://www.foliosociety.com/media/literature/some-thoughts-on-translating-tolsto...

>115 Smiler69: I expected to be reading W & P for the rest of my life, Ilana, so this is a welcome development.

I really liked the Pevear and V(mumble) translation, so I'm looking forward to reading that linked article.

ETA: Interesting article in >116 Smiler69:. I hadn't heard that idea that Dostoevsky wrote badly, and translators make him sound better than he is. The translations I've read of his books certainly have been engaging and well-written. I'm always impressed with people who read books like this in their original language, as I believe you've done with a fair amount of French literature.

I like what Pevear says - what a difficult job to pull off well!

I completed Book 1 (Parts 1-3) today. Ready to dive in to Book 2 tomorrow.

>105 jnwelch: - LOL! Good to know the epilogue(s) are rather long-winded. ;-)

>107 christina_reads: - Like you and others, I have also been pleasantly surprised by some of the social comedy.... wasn't expecting that!

I found the battles bits pretty interesting, but that may have something to do with the Garnett translation of my audioread. I have found it to be rather "English" in that we have Russian soldiers calling one another 'mate' and other turns of phrase that really come across quite different when I compare them to my e-book Louise and Almyer Maude translation.

>115 Smiler69: I'm also only a (relatively) short way in. I love it but it's not as 'portable' as my other books and I don't like swapping between formats. I am endeavouring to pick up the pace though!

I'm also only a short way in, but aiming to get through with the first book to start the spoiler discussion next Saturday.

One thing I like - even though the book is still a bit daunting, the chapters are short. It's easy to knock off a few and feel like I've made progress. Eating an elephant one (or two or three!) bites at a time.

ETA - Joe, that's so amazing. You rock!

>119 klarusu: I was forgetting to tell you that you convinced me to order the Folio Society edition! Not that my arm needed much twisting because in fact, I thought the set was gorgeous when it was released, and was only restraining myself because I hadn't read it yet and didn't want to order such an expensive edition without being sure I'd want to reread it eventually (my "rule" for buying Folios: that I only buy books I know I will reread). But then with the very first paragraph, I was completely enchanted (helps that French is my mother tongue) and thought I NEEDED that Folio edition at that point. Only wanted to make sure the notes were included. So along with an order of a few other New Year Sale books, W&P just popped into my cart all by itself! Can't wait to get it. Apparently it's been dispatched already, according to the info on the web site, so if it gets here within the next month or so, I'll definitely be able to read from it this first time around.

>120 streamsong: Love that analogy about eating elephants for this kind of project. I mentioned the same on my bio on my (now nearly defunct) blog. Of course I'd never want to actually eat an elephant, but small bites does make this huge kind of project seem more feasible. Also agree that with the short chapters you get a sense you've gotten through quite a lot with just a short sitting. 20 pages a day is working for me at this point, as it allows me to read other stuff and complete other titles in the meantime. Also, the war bits, which I'm making myself read more attentively now—since they are filled with fascinating detail apart from booooring war strategy—don't seem quite so long that way.

I decided to join the group and re-read this. I read it when I was in my 20's and now at nearly 60 I am sure I will gain much more than first time around! I have the Constance Garnett translation. I am now off to read it so I can catch up before Spoiler Saturday.

I'm thinking of joining you as well. It's a reread for me as well, but I think it's interesting to read what everybody thinks about it.
I am a bit in doubt about it. I had an old version of the book, and gave it away to make some space on my shelves.
I'd like to read it in my own language, in dutch.
Now I have an ebook-version, a new translation, but it turns out that it is a translation of the first version of the book. (It was published first in installments in a Russion magazine). After this first publication it seems that Tolstoy did a lot of editing and rewriting. And he added the two epilogues;)
So this first version is shorter, but it is pretty different, even some big changes in plot and ending... I think I am going to start reading this anyway, but I will try to find another translation.

Just a reminder, the new adaptation of War and Peace is premiering tonight in the U.S.! Will you be watching?

Also, should I create a new thread for those who want to discuss the adaptation (with spoilers)? Personally, I plan to DVR the episodes and watch them when I've finished the book, so I don't want to be spoiled for the adaptation. But if you want to discuss the eps as they air, I'm happy to create a separate thread for that!

I'm sorry, comrades. I simply cannot do it. I finished Part One. But there I will leave it. It just isn't keeping my attention. The repetition! The French! And the one volume hard-cover is brutal to hold for more than 10 minutes at a time. I must surrender.

Oh oh, Linda! Winners never quit, and quitters never win. You remember that. It's important. Remember the prize here...uh...you know...uh. Christina! Tell Linda what's at stake here, what she's passing up a chance to WIN! I can't remember, but I'm sure it's something yoooge.

I've just finished Part One myself. But I am still with the Rooskies, duking it out with Napoleon. I'll never abandon the cause!

signed,

Winnie Whiner

>125 laytonwoman3rd: I'm sorry to see the white flag raised, Linda! Sure, the hardback is a detriment, for sure. Here are some helpful ideas to ignite the fire and yes the passion!
Getting thru Book One is nothing to sneeze at. It's a remarkable achievement.
1. Download a digital copy to a device.
2. Borrow the audio version
3. Watch the mini series on History, A&E or Lifetime. There's enough passion in it to rub off on you ;)
4. Have a shot of vodka for every Part you finish (ginger ale works too because readers have a good imagination)

Hope this helps you reconsider and this is not dosvedanya :0(

>125 laytonwoman3rd: It's totally understandable if you want to give up, but I will echo the advice of >127 Carmenere: to get a digital copy. Several years ago, I tried reading W&P from a big print volume and abandoned it. Then I downloaded the free Project Gutenberg e-book onto my e-reader and found it so much easier to read. That version (the Maudes') also has the French translated in-line so that you don't have to keep jumping to footnotes. I found that, as the reading process got easier and more comfortable, the book started to hold my attention more.

Now, I'm rereading the P&V translation, also in digital form and enjoying it very much.

>128 mathgirl40: yes, my Constance Garnett translation has almost all the French translated and just sometimes points out if something was said in French. I'm finding it a very smooth reading experience.

I'm about half way through now, though, and it is not an easy read by any means. I'm actually finding that it isn't the "war parts" but the philosophy sections that lose my attention. I'm also not a huge fan of any of the female characters and I tend to need a few well-written women to LOVE a book. That being said, I am enjoying this overall.

>124 christina_reads: I'm recording the War and Peace miniseries and, like you, intend to watch it after I finish reading. I think a separate thread would be fine, but I don't care too much either way.

>129 japaul22: I just stepped into philosophy this morning in Volume II. It took me by surprise!

You guys are a grand lot of cheerleaders. When I put the book down yesterday (the darn thing weighs almost 5 pounds!), I felt quite sure I was doing the right thing. Now it's giving me reproachful looks. The in-line translation of the French would have been a big help, as would a lighter copy or perhaps a digital one. I'm not a big reader on the device, but if the story had been more engaging for me, I'd have taken that route, I think. Now I'm inclined to give the new miniseries a look and see if it does inspire me to try reading W&P in another format. And perhaps a different translation. I've already found myself at odds with Pevear and Volokhonsky over their rendition of Dr. Zhivago, but I was already in love with another version of that one, and I enjoyed their The Master and Margarita so I gave them the benefit of the doubt with this one.

>131 laytonwoman3rd: I feel like I should jump in to say, it is TOTALLY OKAY if the book is too much for you right now and you want to quit! Sometimes life gets in the way of our reading plans, and that's nothing to be ashamed of! If you do ever want to return to the book, I agree with the suggestions to try a different translation and/or a digital copy. But do what works for you, and we promise not to throw things at you! ;)

>131 laytonwoman3rd: Linda, which version of Dr. Zhivago do you love?

>133 Crazymamie: I read it as a teenager from a Signet paperback edition my mother had around, Mamie. I don't think it even gave credit to the translator. I also now have the Everyman edition, which we inherited from my father in law, and although I haven't read that one in its entirety, it "feels right" when I dip into it. It was translated by Harari and Hayward.

>125 laytonwoman3rd: >134 laytonwoman3rd: Linda, I know I've wanted to read W&P for decades, since I read Anna Karenina at a mere twelve years old and thought Tolstoy was THE master. But I'm with Christina and timing is everything. We were supposed to start a group read of it at this time last year, which I'd planned with Mark (msf59), and in the end I was happy that plan fell through, because I wasn't feeling up to it at all. Now I guess the time is right. Helps A LOT that my mother tongue is French, because I can understand that having to look up all the French inserted throughout the text must be a nuisance when you don't understand the language. I have to look up the German once in a while, but there isn't that much of it.

Whatever you end up doing will be right FOR YOU, and that's what matters in the end. That being said, there have been some great suggestions above, and I'll add mine for what it's worth. I decided 20 pages a day was a nice pace for this book, because I can carve out the 30-45 minutes it takes out of any day and have plenty of leisure to look up the notes and such. The chapters are so short that there are often up to 5 or 6 of them to get through in just 20 pages, so you feel like you're making real progress. And in the meantime, it allows for other books to be read and completed.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun doing it! :-)

>134 laytonwoman3rd: Okay. Thanks so much for that.

Well, I grabbed the Kindle edition of the Signet paperback of W&P. It's the Anne Dunnigan translation. I've dipped in a bit, and I'm encouraged---I think this is going to work for me. I had a long conversation with my daughter, who recommended this translation, and I decided while my enthusiasm was up, I'd get the Kindle version rather than waiting to get to a store, or for Ammie to send me the print copy. A good decision, I think, as I took it up right away, and skimmed some of the parts I've read already...yes, I think I'm going to engage much more fully now. And just for clarity, >127 Carmenere:, I didn't get through Book One, just Part One OF Book One. If I'd made it that far, I doubt if I would have been tempted to give up.

Thanks, all, for the good advice and boosterism. I really didn't want to quit, apparently.

>137 laytonwoman3rd: YES!!

>130 Carmenere: You may want to read A Confession. Even though it was written later in his life when he had repudiated his earlier writing, the connections on the philosophical level are interesting.

>139 March-Hare: Thanks for the recommendation! It looks like a book I'd be interested in reading.

>137 laytonwoman3rd: That is exactly what I have. After reading the article about translations that is linked way up top, I figured it would be the easiest for me to manage. I love that it is available on Kindle. Whoop Whoop for you!

I've turned the corner! I'm just past the halfway point, a few pages into Book 3, Part 9. The good thing for me is that the slower parts are balanced by parts that move more quickly. I don't think this will end up being a favorite for me like Anna Karenina is, but I'm enjoying the reading experience overall.

>119 klarusu: Thought you'd like to know I received my Folio sale order this week and am now happily reading from my Folio W&P edition. Just completed Book Two, chapter XVIII, so it came in just in time for me to be able to read the best portion of the novel from those beautiful volumes.

The Book 1 discussion thread (with spoilers) is up! Stop by and let us know what you think of the book so far!

So far, I've enjoyed reading W&P. However, this morning, as I started Book 9 it struck me that my mood is very dark when I'm reading this book. Though I've never read it before and have read no spoilers, I just feel that terrible things are going to happen to these characters. I need to take a W&P break and read some lighter stuff. Anyone else?

Oh Just finished part one- nearly gave up but once I figured out who was who (by taking notes) I have to admit I am starting to like these people and wonder what is unfolding

>145 donan: When I read it last year I definitely needed some breaks from it (I read it in about 10 months) and read other things in between. There were a couple of points where I didn't like either a character or something that had happened, and then I put it down for 3 weeks or so at a time. It is worth persevering with though! (I even found that, with the character I disliked the most and whom I most wanted to meet his comeuppance, I was surprised at how sad I was when I found out what ultimately happened to him).

I am listening to CDs in my car during my 45 min. - 1 hour commute to the Niece's kids each morning, and then again on my way home. Sadly, there are parts where the actors voices do not carry well and I can't hear what some people are saying, even when turning it up. Dang. I found myself working hard to hear it last week, and I turned it off in favor of the morning news. Gawk! I'll try again this morning to get back into it.

Sigh

My 20 page-a-day program is working out really well for me. I'm now well into book 2, (over 500 pages) which I should finish sometime this week. Sometimes I read a few more pages, sometimes a few less, and at first I thought it would take forever, but for one, I find a lot happens in just 20 pages, which always amounts to several chapters, and then the pages really do add up! I was very relieved when I found the battle scenes were interspersed with scenes of life in Moscow and St. Petersburg. I wish I could watch the series, but as I cancelled my tv service about a year ago, I guess I'll have to wait until it's released on DVD or iTunes.

>143 Smiler69: So pretty! Glad you caved ;-)

I'm behind but I still love it so I'm not giving up ... just catching up. I think I'll dedicate a week to only W&P and see where that gets me.

It definitely helps that my French (while not brilliant) is plenty good enough to rarely need to refer to the translation. I think if I weren't able to just read through, it would break up the flow. I shall conquer Part 1!

I'm in the home stretch. I just started Part 12 and I'm enjoying it so much I don't want to pick up any of the other books I have going. I expect to finish in the next week. Then I'll watch the tv series that I've been recording.

>151 japaul22: I'm enjoying it so much I don't want to pick up any of the other books I have going. I feel exactly the same way. I'm totally invested in it.

I just finished book 2 last night. I meant to only read my daily 20 pages, but the action was so thrilling I just HAD to read the last 50 pages in that section. Starting on book 3 tonight.

I just finished Part One. This is very exciting.

Just discovered this thread. Glad to find some fellow readers as I'd also started W&P earlier this month and am towards the end of Book 1. I confess I was flagging a bit due to lack of reader company. But, this is great and I look forward to catching up with the rest of you per the schedule. Off to check out the Book 1 Discussion Thread as well.

I've just reached the end of Part 1, reading Maude's translation. I also started watching the new TV adaptation and I haven't read to the end of episode 1 (of 6) yet.

I'm reading rather slowly and have just finished Part 2. The comments on the discussion thread have been very good.

I've finished. What an amazing experience. Thanks for the push to get to this! I'm looking forward to discussing it.

These aren't exactly spoilers, I hope. Philip Hensher's '10 Things You Need to Know' about War and Peace is quite good.

And, inspired by the above, Tom Gauld's comic strip is quite clever too.

>159 jennybhatt: Excellent article which stimulated my flagging enthusiasm; I'll continue reading W&P and not give up!

>160 maggie1944: Yes, please don't give up. I'm so loving it with this third attempt (tried in my 20s and then in my 30s and failed to keep my interest up -- different time of life now).

One thing that struck me from that Hensher article was this:

The book is the product of a very big mind, who lost interest in almost everything War and Peace was about before he died.

When you consider how deep Tolstoy went into certain philosophies and ideas with this book, you have to admire his courage of conviction that, years later, he would openly walk himself away from them. I know of some writers who get so attached to their own ideas that, no matter what, they cannot bring themselves to put them aside.

My reading is rather slow -- about 10 pages a day -- but I'm into Book 2 now and just enjoying sinking into it.

"Many people approach Tolstoy with mixed feelings. They love the artist in him and are intensely bored by the preacher; but at the same time it is rather difficult to separate Tolstoy the preacher from Tolstoy the artist-it is the same slow voice, the same robust shoulder pushing up a cloud of visions or a load of ideas. What one would like to do, would be to kick the glorified soapbox from under his sandaled feet and then lock him up in a stone house on a desert island with gallons of ink and reams of paper-far away from the things, ethical and pedagogical, that diverted his attention from observing the way the dark hair curled above Anna's white neck."

Nabokov Lectures on Russian Literature

Here's another 'Ten Things' about War and Peace. Not as good as the Philip Hensher list I'd posted earlier but some new, interesting information, for sure.

>163 jennybhatt: Thanks Jenny, that's very interesting!

I have finished the novel and truly loved it! Thanks to the Category Challenge group for allowing a non member to tag along. It was extremely helpful having others read it simultaneously, it really motivated me.

>163 jennybhatt: I enjoyed that, too, Jenny. Thanks.

>164 Carmenere: Congratulations for finishing it! The Group Read also really helped motivate me.

>163 jennybhatt: I greatly enjoyed both articles. Thanks so much for sharing them here!

I am another reader who is greatly benefiting from a group read... don't know that I'd have had the courage to tackle this book otherwise, but glad I've finally done so. I'm nearing book 4 now, so the end is (almost) in sight.

You're welcome. :)

I'm still on Book 2 but reading "around" the book, which includes groups like this, keeps me interested and motivated to keep going.

The Book 2 (Parts 4-8) discussion thread (with spoilers) is up. Stop by and let us know what you think!

>163 jennybhatt:

The articles were very interesting, thanks for posting them.

Getting back to the book today.

Hmm. Tolstoy compiled a list of the books that influenced him. Rather interesting.

http://www.valleyadvocate.com/2011/11/08/tolstoys-bedside-table/

>170 jennybhatt: Thanks for posting.

Plenty of material for thought there.

Finished, moving on to Anna Karenina.

Someone had suggested shmoop.com for amusing summaries of the various sections of the book, and now I'm reading the epilogue, I've gone back to read about the 4 parts of the book. The summaries are indeed very amusing and definitely geared to a very young readership (i.e. teenagers), but it's also effective in reducing the book to the essential plot, which for me was very hard to keep track of with Toltoy's numerous and seemingly endless philosophical digressions. This is definitely what makes the book such a serious and admirable literary work, but as I say, it became difficult for me to see the forest for the tress, and reading a short and snappy summary is very helpful at this point. Especially as at this stage of my reading, I've really grown very tired of the details of battles and tactical decisions and inevitable repetitions about the nature of life and human beings and historical facts and whatnot, and wanting more than anything just to be done with it, and a bit sorry about that state of affairs, as so much of this novel has been enlightening and fascinating as well as sheerly entertaining.

Anyhow, here is the shmoop link: http://www.shmoop.com/war-and-peace/summary.html

>173 Smiler69:: I've been enjoying the Shmoop summaries alongside as a bit of light relief.

When I started this book, I was worried about battle scene and philosophy fatigue too -- this made me give up during two earlier attempts. But, this time, I'm still enjoying War and Peace. This is a piece of history that I know or remember very little of, so I like the historical information he's sprinkled so liberally throughout. The philosophical digressions don't feel too bad to me as I just finished Seneca's Letters From a Stoic before this. I must be at the right point in my life to read it this time around.

I did switch from the physical book to a Kindle version because of the bulk and having to carry it around so I can keep reading while out and about.

I am appreciating the audio version along side of the "print" version on my Kindle, plus a cheat sheet book on the Kindle, too.

>175 maggie1944:: What's the cheat sheet book on Kindle?

Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace: Includes Study Guide, Historical Context, Biography and Character Index by www.bookcaps.com

c. 2013

nice little resource

>173 Smiler69: I read the shmoop summaries after finishing W & P, Ilana, and enjoyed the revisit. They did a nice job, I thought.

Don't get me started on those epilogues. :-)

>177 maggie1944: I'll have to check that out, Karen. It's fun to have finally read it, and now to see some of the commentary about it.

>177 maggie1944:: Got it. Thanks.

You are very welcome. Happy reading (-:

I'm at about the 60% mark on W&P on my Kindle. I've only been reading it about 4 days. Before beginning, I was pretty sure I had read it about 20 years ago. As I'm reading it, it's coming back to me so I'm fairly certain I did. The thing that struck me then and even now is how readable it is for such a "classic chunkster."

Sadly, I seem to have lost momentum. The CDs are in the car, but I prefer to listen to the news in the morning as I drive up to the kids' house. Time has overcome my intention, and I'm caught up with other books. I'm trying to read The Book Thief for my small book group's meeting in April.

>182 maggie1944:: I've lost momentum too because of work and travel. But, I did manage a few more chapters today. Still terribly behind the schedule posted above. But, that's fine. Still enjoying it when I do settle down to read. {By the way, I absolutely loved The Book Thief and would have been completely tempted away from War and Peace for it.)

Jenny, I'm glad you understand. Today is going to be spent on our retirement community's five acres planting some native plants. Looking for plants which will make the landscaping more sustainable, and reduce our costs. Yay!

I have 6 more chapters left in Book 3. I'll listen while doing my chores so I should get them done by this weekend.

ETA:
>184 maggie1944: Karen that sounds wonderful. Have a wonderful day making your community beautiful and sustainable.

>184 maggie1944:: That does sound like a lovely way to spend the day. Gardening is, I've found, very therapeutic too. :)

The Book 3 (Parts 9-11) discussion thread -- with spoilers! -- is up: http://www.librarything.com/topic/219949. I'm not done with Book 3 yet, but I'll be sure to visit the thread once I've caught up. :)

The Book 4/Epilogues discussion thread is up! http://www.librarything.com/topic/220662 As always, there will spoilers! Congratulations to all those who have finished the book...and if you're still working on it (like me), keep up the good work! Thanks to everyone who joined me for this group read...I honestly don't know that I would have done it without you! :)

>188 christina_reads: I did finish the entire novel and epilogues and will add some thoughts to the discussion threads shortly. Thank you so very much for hosting this group read! I found the pacing just right for me and I've been enjoying the discussions.