Notes I am using the Oxford World Classic’s edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker). Each chapter is linked to a chat thread where you can discuss that chapter. Most English translations are divided in the same way, but there are exceptions. The chapters in the original Maude & Maude are divided differently, and most free versions online will be the original Maude & Maude. To help readers, I have noted the difference below with an asterisk.
Thanks much on this, Simon. We’ll be exploring these audio options...
While I have you -- and I hope I’m not being a pest here -- I was thinking about brushing up on my European/Russian history as it pertains to the years during which “War and Peace” is set. I think it might help to have a little of that background history as I delve in Tolstoy’s novel for the first time. So I’m wondering: Do you know of a particular website or webpage that would provide this specific historical overview?
If not, I can google around on my own, no worries.
Thank you professor, for all your info on this opus. I've read Tolstoy before, but look forward to your insights. Tokstoy, like Proust, can be a life-long quest. Tom
Definitely. Have you read Proust? I should say just for clarity that I am not a professor. I don't have a background in Literature. I am just a writer and a curious reader.
Lol anyone with your knowledge, to me, deserves the title! Yes I read some Proust years ago Time is cruel in that I havefrgotten most if it's jeweled ideas.
Hi. I’m ready, too! Just curious, though, Simon: What is the rationale behind those particular non-reading days? As opposed, say, to making them on certain holidays, for example? Just wondering...
Good question. They come at the end of each of the four books. There's an extra one on the 31 Dec, because next year is a leap year. I think it makes sense to have the spare days between volumes. That's the only reason. Holidays are specific to countries, so I don't think that would work.
We have a hardback copy of War and Peace printed in 1993. It was translate by Princess Alexandra Kropotkin. Published by Barnes and Noble. Do you know anything about this translation? There is no French in it.
This is an abridged translation although I don't know what is missing from it. It looks like it is missing the more philosophical sections and where Tolstoy addresses the reader:
I have a copy of W&P Norton Critical Edition revised by George Gibian. It is based on the Maude translation. However, I realized now looking at this schedule that there are less, but longer chapters. For example, books one and two each only has 16 chapters, book three has 13 chapters, etc. It also doesn't break down the book into 4 parts, it just goes book 1 through book 15, followed by two epilogues.
I wonder if that'll make it too cumbersome to use for this read along, or whether anyone has used a similar copy in the past and has a tip on how to use it for a read along such as this one.
Hey Omar. Yes, we've come across this before. Some of the older Maudes are divided a little differently, although I haven't seen this one – this one sounds like it might get annoying.
After looking into it, I decided to move to the more recent Maude / Mandelker Oxford Classics Translation for ease of following along. That chapter structure in the Norton Critical Edition is just too far off and 2024 me will love not having to deal with that.
I have the Edmonds translation sitting here with me now. I think I have the Maude translation around here somewhere. Deciding which version to read.....
Hi Simon, I seem to have a weird edition where chapter 8 is chapter 14; chapter 9 is chapter 15 + 16; chapter 10 seem to be chapter 17 etc in the reading schedule. It's a Penguin classic from 1997 (which is Maude & Maude from my search - the book doesn't seem to actually name translators! ISBN 0 14 06. 2269 1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/War-Peace-Penguin-Popular-Classics/dp/0140622691
I was getting so confused with daily posts lol! On a positive side, I'm quite a few chapters ahead now lol
Do you have edition notes for this edition at all please? No worries if not, think I can trace it myself now that I realised the difference!
Whew! Getting ready!
Oh, while I have you: my wife might want to participate as well, but would prefer an audio book. Can a recommend a particular translation/reading?
There's a lot of choice out there. And it does come down to personal taste. I've listened to one narrated by Neville Jason a couple of times, which is very good: https://naxosaudiobooks.com/war-and-peace-volume-i-unabridged/
I'm tempted by the Jonathan Keeble reading: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/War-and-Peace-Audiobook/B0C1PB9WGJ He made a magnificent version of Hilary Mantel's A Place of Greater Safety.
Another popular one is Thandiwe Newton, but I haven't listened to it yet: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/War-and-Peace-Audiobook/B095V27YSS?source_code=M2M30DFT1BkSH101514006U&ipRedirectOverride=true&overrideBaseCountry=true&gclid=CjwKCAiA1MCrBhAoEiwAC2d64aUIJkvqpaeZV1wKwdI9ufSIOnMOJ6cSpP3Nl6kLSe2zRX8bSmTQUBoCKIEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Thanks much on this, Simon. We’ll be exploring these audio options...
While I have you -- and I hope I’m not being a pest here -- I was thinking about brushing up on my European/Russian history as it pertains to the years during which “War and Peace” is set. I think it might help to have a little of that background history as I delve in Tolstoy’s novel for the first time. So I’m wondering: Do you know of a particular website or webpage that would provide this specific historical overview?
If not, I can google around on my own, no worries.
Nothing in particular. Google away and let us know what you find. I will be putting together a list of links and resources at some point.
Thanks, Simon. Will do. And I’ll report back if I find any pertinent historical stuff.
I’m loving Newton’s narration.
Thank you professor, for all your info on this opus. I've read Tolstoy before, but look forward to your insights. Tokstoy, like Proust, can be a life-long quest. Tom
Definitely. Have you read Proust? I should say just for clarity that I am not a professor. I don't have a background in Literature. I am just a writer and a curious reader.
Lol anyone with your knowledge, to me, deserves the title! Yes I read some Proust years ago Time is cruel in that I havefrgotten most if it's jeweled ideas.
That's “Tolstoy”
I made a tracker in calendar format (using Canva). It's not quite as exciting as I was hoping for, but 360 days of reading is A LOT OF BOXES TO TICK! I am hoping this will help keep me organized. @Simon, please feel free to share this with others: https://www.liznorell.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/War-Peace-reading-calendar.pdf
Ah thanks! I'll try to remember to share this with everyone! Thanks for making it and I hope it proves useful.
Hi. I’m ready, too! Just curious, though, Simon: What is the rationale behind those particular non-reading days? As opposed, say, to making them on certain holidays, for example? Just wondering...
Good question. They come at the end of each of the four books. There's an extra one on the 31 Dec, because next year is a leap year. I think it makes sense to have the spare days between volumes. That's the only reason. Holidays are specific to countries, so I don't think that would work.
Ahh yes -- makes sense. That’s why you’re doing this and not me. 😅
No worries! I worked that one out last year.
Simon are you ok? I didn’t see the link for Feb 19’s chat and wanted to be sure all was well!
Oh I am! Thanks for asking. I must have just forgotten to add the link.
Oh I’m glad!
We have a hardback copy of War and Peace printed in 1993. It was translate by Princess Alexandra Kropotkin. Published by Barnes and Noble. Do you know anything about this translation? There is no French in it.
This is an abridged translation although I don't know what is missing from it. It looks like it is missing the more philosophical sections and where Tolstoy addresses the reader:
https://welovetranslations.com/2021/08/31/whats-the-best-translation-of-war-and-peace/?utm_content=cmp-true
https://ospidillo-blog.blogspot.com/2011/02/which-translation-of-war-and-peace.html?m=1
Thank you for this!! And Happy Holidays Simon!
My pleasure! You too!
I have a copy of W&P Norton Critical Edition revised by George Gibian. It is based on the Maude translation. However, I realized now looking at this schedule that there are less, but longer chapters. For example, books one and two each only has 16 chapters, book three has 13 chapters, etc. It also doesn't break down the book into 4 parts, it just goes book 1 through book 15, followed by two epilogues.
I wonder if that'll make it too cumbersome to use for this read along, or whether anyone has used a similar copy in the past and has a tip on how to use it for a read along such as this one.
Hey Omar. Yes, we've come across this before. Some of the older Maudes are divided a little differently, although I haven't seen this one – this one sounds like it might get annoying.
Check out this spreadsheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vcQyNDdqb4MDjjyaew9BcdvrWyq9M5BlRoATa8cDtZU/edit?usp=drivesdk which compares the first book of the original Maude with the modern revised version.
I think it's doable, but on the whole I think it would make your life easier if you picked up one of the three most recent editions.
Thanks, Simon!
After looking into it, I decided to move to the more recent Maude / Mandelker Oxford Classics Translation for ease of following along. That chapter structure in the Norton Critical Edition is just too far off and 2024 me will love not having to deal with that.
I have the Edmonds translation sitting here with me now. I think I have the Maude translation around here somewhere. Deciding which version to read.....
Of the two, I'd go with Maude, but that's just a personal preference I think.
Hi Simon, I seem to have a weird edition where chapter 8 is chapter 14; chapter 9 is chapter 15 + 16; chapter 10 seem to be chapter 17 etc in the reading schedule. It's a Penguin classic from 1997 (which is Maude & Maude from my search - the book doesn't seem to actually name translators! ISBN 0 14 06. 2269 1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/War-Peace-Penguin-Popular-Classics/dp/0140622691
I was getting so confused with daily posts lol! On a positive side, I'm quite a few chapters ahead now lol
Do you have edition notes for this edition at all please? No worries if not, think I can trace it myself now that I realised the difference!