Thank you, Simon, for guiding us through another week of W&P. It’s remarkable how often I think of this book and its characters. Certain passages in “Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbar (I read it this week; recommend!) reminded me of Prince Andrey, seeking happiness, the meaning of life — one of the powerful, universal truths explored by Tolstoy in W&P. As you wrote in your summary, Simon: “This chapter articulates two common feelings: the sense of a truth just out of reach, and the vain hope that we can master life if only we can get all our horses to ride together. But alas, they will always be pulling in different directions. And comparison is the thief of joy: others have always discovered the simple answers that elude us.” I’m holding out hope that the reports of Andrey’s death “are greatly exaggerated,” so he can find peace and happiness in the now.
As someone who loathes rollercoasters and all kinds of fairground rides, my willingness - indeed delight - in being thrown around by Tolstoy's narrative surprises me! I was stopped and rendered breathless in my tracks, again, by Andrei's announced death. Surely not...? It's hard to know if we should trust Tolstoy's final sentences, but they still wound each time for how they land on our souls.
Lots of woeful sighs of "Oh, Pierre/Pyotr" and hefty eye rolling at Hélène's search for survival, pleasure, satisfaction... On the one hand, one can't help but admire her absolute faith in herself that she is entitled to have her best life, despite being a woman (even because of being a woman). Tho we lack the internal dialogue and philosophical reflections of other characters, she is not entirely unknown to us - she is both transparent and hidden from us, all surface, yet we feel there is a depth, a cleverness, to her determination to get what she needs.
Still want ger to get some comeuppance for her riding roughshod over so many hearts...
Another illuminating reflection thank you Simon. Your questions - although not answered on paper/keyboard - still give one cause to ponder and consider.
Thank you, Simon - I love these summaries!
Thank you, Simon, for guiding us through another week of W&P. It’s remarkable how often I think of this book and its characters. Certain passages in “Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbar (I read it this week; recommend!) reminded me of Prince Andrey, seeking happiness, the meaning of life — one of the powerful, universal truths explored by Tolstoy in W&P. As you wrote in your summary, Simon: “This chapter articulates two common feelings: the sense of a truth just out of reach, and the vain hope that we can master life if only we can get all our horses to ride together. But alas, they will always be pulling in different directions. And comparison is the thief of joy: others have always discovered the simple answers that elude us.” I’m holding out hope that the reports of Andrey’s death “are greatly exaggerated,” so he can find peace and happiness in the now.
As someone who loathes rollercoasters and all kinds of fairground rides, my willingness - indeed delight - in being thrown around by Tolstoy's narrative surprises me! I was stopped and rendered breathless in my tracks, again, by Andrei's announced death. Surely not...? It's hard to know if we should trust Tolstoy's final sentences, but they still wound each time for how they land on our souls.
Lots of woeful sighs of "Oh, Pierre/Pyotr" and hefty eye rolling at Hélène's search for survival, pleasure, satisfaction... On the one hand, one can't help but admire her absolute faith in herself that she is entitled to have her best life, despite being a woman (even because of being a woman). Tho we lack the internal dialogue and philosophical reflections of other characters, she is not entirely unknown to us - she is both transparent and hidden from us, all surface, yet we feel there is a depth, a cleverness, to her determination to get what she needs.
Still want ger to get some comeuppance for her riding roughshod over so many hearts...
Another illuminating reflection thank you Simon. Your questions - although not answered on paper/keyboard - still give one cause to ponder and consider.
I refuse to believe Andrei is gone... again. :(