I think maybe this is what I have been unknowingly waiting for...my daughter wrote her college graduation thesis on War and Peace earlier this year and loved it so much. I bought it to read before I read her long thesis so that I can understand it but haven’t gotten around to it :-) I think I can commit to a chapter a day!
This will be my third read of War and Peace. Will be great to read with company this time...most of my (so called) friends think I’m bonkers for reading it once, let alone thrice.
During my last reading I was working in a bookshop. Whenever I was sneered at by a customer for not having read <<insert latest bodice-ripper/crime-thriller/self-help-waffle here>> I could always out sneer them by saying I was too busy reading Tolstoy. Childish I know...but...ah well, need some comebacks when working in retail.
My mum read War and Peace during her 57 hour labour with me (I don’t know how much she read or if she ever finished it), so I’ve always been intrigued but intimidated. This sounds like a wonderful way to finally read it.
Seriously?! What an incredible story. And what an awesome connection to have with a book. Don't be intimidated, it is a delight, and it would be great to have you with us!
OK, Simon. I can’t resist. Mantel and Tolstoy for a year. What could be better? (Along with all of the other reading that comes with my job and my own substack.) Maybe I’ll supplement with an audio version for the Tolstoy. Is there a particular recording that you recommend?
Mantel AND Tolstoy? Bonkers. Only you and I (and a handful of others) would be that foolish. I've got an audio narrated by Neville Jason. But I'm planning on listen to another next year, so will have a look around in the next few weeks.
Ah; I just signed up and was about to ask about an audiobook, but I see someone beat me there. I've had the Neville Jason one sitting in my Audible queue forever, but haven't got to it yet. This is the perfect time for it!
I'm so glad I'll have finished my PhD by January so I can read along with Wolf Hall. Now I also want to do War & Peace as it's been a long time since I read this book and I loved it so much. I read it sporadically and it took me a few years so it will be a different experience to read it regularly and steadily. I learned a lot of history through reading this book so this time I think I'll be able to focus more on the characters!
Of course! I really should have said, all languages welcome. My post was a bit anglocentric. We've had people reading in many different languages this year. And there's someone here who has read it in German but now wants to read it in English. Welcome!
Love this initiative! I’ve got a massive ‘to-read’ list already for 2024 so I won’t join this time, but it’s such an incredible book. I’m currently reading The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischvili, which really feels like another stunning work at the level of W&P. Have you read it by any chance? (It’s also nearly 1000 pages long!)
I also just wanted to mention that, as someone who read the P&V version (and loved it), I think it might be a better read for those who have studied Russian. My level wasn’t high enough to get through Tolstoy in the original, but having read Bulgakov and others in the original, you really CAN tell how precise the translation is. But if you don’t know anything about the Russian language and are used to reading English literature, it can feel like that translation is a bit odd, indeed. Just wanted to share my experience!
Hey! That's definitely a good observation about P&V. I started it last year, but switched pretty quickly to Maude. Those who love P&V seem to be linguists! Haven't quite decided which one I will go with next year.
No, I haven't got to The Eighth Life yet. I almost picked it up a year ago, but once I started running this book group I realised I wouldn't have the mental bandwidth to read big books alongside. So I tend to just pick novellas and smaller novels at the moment.
I’m going to join your read along this year & I’ve already started with the P&V translation I’ve had for years. I’ve started it three or four times but I keep bailing about halfway through -- IDK why, I’ve read Karenina at least as many times & love it -- so I’m hoping your structure will help me finish it finally. Anyway, yes to the point about its faithfulness -- if you’ve studied Russian, you can sort of see the original underneath -- and I find the endnotes useful too.
I love this! And I would love to participate... but: what if I read W&P in Italian? I’m ok with english and following your guidelines and discussions etc, but it would a lot more easier for me reading Tolstoj in my native language. Do you think this can make this group reading experience bad?
Hey Silvia! Of course you can and it doesn't make it bad, it makes it better! I'm kicking myself for not saying this in my post: people read it in many different languages. So definitely read it in Italian. And maybe we can use the newsletters to link up other Italian readers as well. Greetings from the UK!
Ciao Silvia! I’m Italian too! Do you already know if there’s a translation that is worth checking? I might join you in reading it in Italian if you take that venture, I’m still undecided!
Ciao Giulia, I think I will choose the edition Einaudi Tascabili ET translated by Emanuela Guercetti, 2019. It also has the precious preface by Leone Ginzburg. I’ve recently read Anna Karenina in its latest ET edition and it was great.
I am very much looking forward to this! Love the idea of reading W&P but never had the inclination as it was so vast, a chapter a day in manageable as u can read other things at the same time, and am looking forward to being part of a W&P community!!
I'm in!! You made the case. I'm so appreciative of your slow read approach. I wouldn't even have considered re-reading this epic without your support. You likely will have readers with greater linguistic skills than I, but I do know Russian and have serviceable French.
Ah poo-ey to greater linguistic skills. Sounds like you've got more than enough to bring to the party. I'm a bumbling ignoramus compared to some of our readers. Which why it is such a pleasure to read in a group. Thanks for coming onboard!
Looking forward to trying this readalong again next year! I started this year but had a terrible time of it and stopped after Volume I, because of the translation (P&V). Hardly any natural flow, it was awful to read 🙈 and I'm definitely not new to classics!
Two months ago I picked up a Briggs, couldn't resist that pretty Penguin clothbound edition on sale, and the prose seems fine enough so I think I'll be able to finish it on a second try. 😄 I'll also be joining the Mantel readalong, if only just in case me and W&P don't get along a second time 😅, because Mantel's a guaranteed succes of course.
On wonderful. I think I'll get into trouble with the purists if I stop recommending P&V but I agree with you about the flow and some of the language was just awkward and ugly. Briggs or Maude are better bets for a better read. And of course, you can't go wrong with Mantel.
I think maybe this is what I have been unknowingly waiting for...my daughter wrote her college graduation thesis on War and Peace earlier this year and loved it so much. I bought it to read before I read her long thesis so that I can understand it but haven’t gotten around to it :-) I think I can commit to a chapter a day!
Oh what a wonderful thing to do! That's the sort of personal story, personal reason, that really makes this thing come alive!
This will be my third read of War and Peace. Will be great to read with company this time...most of my (so called) friends think I’m bonkers for reading it once, let alone thrice.
During my last reading I was working in a bookshop. Whenever I was sneered at by a customer for not having read <<insert latest bodice-ripper/crime-thriller/self-help-waffle here>> I could always out sneer them by saying I was too busy reading Tolstoy. Childish I know...but...ah well, need some comebacks when working in retail.
Hey Duncan. Well you'll be in good company here. Lots of re-readers who won't think you're at all bonkers. Welcome!
I am so excited for this, to have an opportunity to talk with people about it as we read along. And thanks for the translation rec’s!
Excellent. Honestly the community is half the pleasure of this.
My mum read War and Peace during her 57 hour labour with me (I don’t know how much she read or if she ever finished it), so I’ve always been intrigued but intimidated. This sounds like a wonderful way to finally read it.
Seriously?! What an incredible story. And what an awesome connection to have with a book. Don't be intimidated, it is a delight, and it would be great to have you with us!
OK, Simon. I can’t resist. Mantel and Tolstoy for a year. What could be better? (Along with all of the other reading that comes with my job and my own substack.) Maybe I’ll supplement with an audio version for the Tolstoy. Is there a particular recording that you recommend?
Mantel AND Tolstoy? Bonkers. Only you and I (and a handful of others) would be that foolish. I've got an audio narrated by Neville Jason. But I'm planning on listen to another next year, so will have a look around in the next few weeks.
Ha, there are indeed a number of foolhardy double readers....
Oh, I think that’s the Naxos edition, right? They usually do a good job and have excellent narrators. Their Middlemarch is brilliant.
That's right. Listened to it twice. It's a solid version and is Maude & Maude.
Ah; I just signed up and was about to ask about an audiobook, but I see someone beat me there. I've had the Neville Jason one sitting in my Audible queue forever, but haven't got to it yet. This is the perfect time for it!
Perfect! I really enjoy that version.
Yes, I'm thinking both for me too.
Have you remembered 2024 is a leap year? I make that 5 days off
Bonus! Thanks Susan!
I'm so glad I'll have finished my PhD by January so I can read along with Wolf Hall. Now I also want to do War & Peace as it's been a long time since I read this book and I loved it so much. I read it sporadically and it took me a few years so it will be a different experience to read it regularly and steadily. I learned a lot of history through reading this book so this time I think I'll be able to focus more on the characters!
Ooooh I remember the feeling of finishing my PhD! All the best for the final month or so...
Thank you, Simon. It's full on for December!
I will be thinking of you!
I saw this post today and thought, immediately, “this is for me.” I am thrilled to finally tackle this tome! Thank you for leading the way! ✨
Hurray! That's the spirit. Welcome Kristine.
Looking forward to read 'Krieg und Frieden' for a 2nd time (first read it some years ago & loved it) and I hope it's ok to read it in German.
Of course! I really should have said, all languages welcome. My post was a bit anglocentric. We've had people reading in many different languages this year. And there's someone here who has read it in German but now wants to read it in English. Welcome!
I've signed up and persuaded (they didn't need much persuading to be fair) a couple of friends to sign up too. Looking forward to it!
Oh wonderful! The more the merrier.
Love this initiative! I’ve got a massive ‘to-read’ list already for 2024 so I won’t join this time, but it’s such an incredible book. I’m currently reading The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischvili, which really feels like another stunning work at the level of W&P. Have you read it by any chance? (It’s also nearly 1000 pages long!)
I also just wanted to mention that, as someone who read the P&V version (and loved it), I think it might be a better read for those who have studied Russian. My level wasn’t high enough to get through Tolstoy in the original, but having read Bulgakov and others in the original, you really CAN tell how precise the translation is. But if you don’t know anything about the Russian language and are used to reading English literature, it can feel like that translation is a bit odd, indeed. Just wanted to share my experience!
Hey! That's definitely a good observation about P&V. I started it last year, but switched pretty quickly to Maude. Those who love P&V seem to be linguists! Haven't quite decided which one I will go with next year.
No, I haven't got to The Eighth Life yet. I almost picked it up a year ago, but once I started running this book group I realised I wouldn't have the mental bandwidth to read big books alongside. So I tend to just pick novellas and smaller novels at the moment.
I’m going to join your read along this year & I’ve already started with the P&V translation I’ve had for years. I’ve started it three or four times but I keep bailing about halfway through -- IDK why, I’ve read Karenina at least as many times & love it -- so I’m hoping your structure will help me finish it finally. Anyway, yes to the point about its faithfulness -- if you’ve studied Russian, you can sort of see the original underneath -- and I find the endnotes useful too.
Makes sense, a bunch of big books at once would be tough! But I do really recommend The Eighth Life when you get a chance, it's a beautiful story.
I’m going to say I’ve had War and Peace on my shelf for 18 years (?). I’m about as ready as I’ll ever be. I’m also down for the Cromwell books.
You're ready, I'm sure. Welcome! Great to have you here.
I love this! And I would love to participate... but: what if I read W&P in Italian? I’m ok with english and following your guidelines and discussions etc, but it would a lot more easier for me reading Tolstoj in my native language. Do you think this can make this group reading experience bad?
Hey Silvia! Of course you can and it doesn't make it bad, it makes it better! I'm kicking myself for not saying this in my post: people read it in many different languages. So definitely read it in Italian. And maybe we can use the newsletters to link up other Italian readers as well. Greetings from the UK!
Ciao Silvia! I’m Italian too! Do you already know if there’s a translation that is worth checking? I might join you in reading it in Italian if you take that venture, I’m still undecided!
Ciao Giulia, I think I will choose the edition Einaudi Tascabili ET translated by Emanuela Guercetti, 2019. It also has the precious preface by Leone Ginzburg. I’ve recently read Anna Karenina in its latest ET edition and it was great.
I am very much looking forward to this! Love the idea of reading W&P but never had the inclination as it was so vast, a chapter a day in manageable as u can read other things at the same time, and am looking forward to being part of a W&P community!!
Wonderful! This really is one the best ways to read this book.
I'm in!! You made the case. I'm so appreciative of your slow read approach. I wouldn't even have considered re-reading this epic without your support. You likely will have readers with greater linguistic skills than I, but I do know Russian and have serviceable French.
Ah poo-ey to greater linguistic skills. Sounds like you've got more than enough to bring to the party. I'm a bumbling ignoramus compared to some of our readers. Which why it is such a pleasure to read in a group. Thanks for coming onboard!
Looking forward to trying this readalong again next year! I started this year but had a terrible time of it and stopped after Volume I, because of the translation (P&V). Hardly any natural flow, it was awful to read 🙈 and I'm definitely not new to classics!
Two months ago I picked up a Briggs, couldn't resist that pretty Penguin clothbound edition on sale, and the prose seems fine enough so I think I'll be able to finish it on a second try. 😄 I'll also be joining the Mantel readalong, if only just in case me and W&P don't get along a second time 😅, because Mantel's a guaranteed succes of course.
On wonderful. I think I'll get into trouble with the purists if I stop recommending P&V but I agree with you about the flow and some of the language was just awkward and ugly. Briggs or Maude are better bets for a better read. And of course, you can't go wrong with Mantel.