Join the 2025 'War and Peace' Slow Read
War & Peace welcome pack + Book group directory + A free audiobook!
An invitation
In 2025, I invite you to join readers from all around the world to read my favourite novel, Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, a chapter a day.
This will be the third and final year I will run this read-along. It began in 2023 on my Instagram page. I was so delighted by the whole experience and the response from other readers that this year, I moved the slow read to my website. This allowed me to offer more resources: in-depth weekly posts with audio voice-overs, plot summaries for each character, and daily chat threads.
Next year, these weekly posts will be revised and updated, and made available as a post, a podcast, and an email newsletter, all exclusive to paid subscribers at Footnotes and Tangents.
This post is your welcome pack. It includes everything you need to know about the book and the read-along. I have included quotes from this year’s readers, and you can read their full testimonials here.
At the end of this post, there is my monthly directory of book groups hosted on Substack and details of next month’s listen-along of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, hosted by
, which includes a special offer for Footnotes and Tangents subscribers. Many thanks, as always, for reading.Our readers on War and Peace…
“I didn’t expect to love the book as much as I have.” (
)“I had no idea how readable War and Peace would be, how funny and insightful Tolstoy is.” (
)“I honestly did not think I would form such a bond with the characters, or enjoy the book so much.” (
)“War and Peace has it all, packaged in short chapters that are masterpieces of characterization and riveting narrative art. What a storyteller!” (
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1. Why read War and Peace?
I first read War and Peace in 2007. I went backpacking in South America and took the biggest book I could find. All I knew was it was a classic and it was very big – 1,358 pages. I discovered, to my delight, a deeply humane novel – sharp, funny and wise – about life’s struggle for peace and happiness amid war and misfortune.
Tolstoy drops you in the middle of a soirée in nineteenth-century St Petersburg, a party packed with truly awful people. You think to yourself: Surely I have nothing in common with these rich Russian aristocrats from another era. There’s no way I would want to spend a year in their company!
But then Tolstoy does something remarkable. This strange world starts to feel very familiar. We recognise the characters in ourselves and in the people we know. Our first impressions give way to a greater understanding, and we start to care about these people as though they were friends and family.
And all this is told with an unerring clarity and compassion. It is like looking into still clear waters. You see life reflected back at you in the novel. And it’s all here. Within these pages, characters grow up, fall in love, encounter fear, hatred and despair, and care and grieve for each other. They learn how to live, and how to die. They ask big questions, and sometimes they find answers.
‘If life could write, it would write like Tolstoy.’ – Isaac Babel
It’s also a great story, full of twists and turns, high drama and heartache. And first-time readers are often struck by how readable, entertaining and even funny it is. But it’s more than just a great story. It’s a good one. It has a good heart. A rich soul. And the world feels a little better, a little truer, for having read it.
Our readers on the challenge of War and Peace…
“I was given a copy of War and Peace at 16, so it's been looking down at me from my bookshelves for quite a while.” (
)“I had tried it a couple of times before but the story was like desiccated spaghetti on the page so the tome sat on my shelf, clearly waiting for this slow read.” (
)“I expected the book to be difficult to read but was surprised about how down to earth it was.” (
)“‘War and Peace is a book I’ve tried to read multiple times, always to get bogged down around page 200. Now I can’t imagine my life without it.” (
)“Don’t be intimidated. Take the journey!” (
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2. How does the read-along work?
War and Peace has 361 chapters. So, it’s the perfect book to read a chapter a day over the course of a year. We start on Wednesday, 1 January 2025, and continue to the end of the year, with one day off at the end of each of the four volumes.
Every Tuesday, I publish a weekly post and podcast with a summary of the events of the last seven chapters, a discussion of the themes, artwork relating to the story, and a selection of footnotes, tangents and links to continue your adventure. These posts link to plot summaries for all the characters to help you keep track of who’s who.
With hundreds of readers all on the same page, there are three ways for you to connect and create space to talk about the book:
There is a chat thread for each chapter. I set these up this year, and we will use them next year. They can all be found in the reading schedule, and in each post, I will link to the previous week's and next week’s threads so you can always find them.
You can comment on all the weekly posts. Some readers prefer to read a few chapters at a time or have less free time to engage in the daily chat threads. This space is for you.
You can also start your own discussion threads in Footnotes and Tangents Chat. This can be accessed in a web browser on a computer or in the Substack App on your phone.
The rest is up to you! It’s your read-along. You can engage with other readers and arrange to meet up, online or offline. You can keep a private journal of reflections or share your thoughts with us in your own posts. Some readers are inspired to create: to draw, paint or knit their way through the book. Whatever inspires you: run with it. You never know where it may lead.
Our readers on the daily routine…
“Cup of coffee, chapter, and then read Simon’s notes and the group’s thoughts.” (
)“I started on a whim and haven’t missed a day.” (
)“Slow reading allows space for breathing, reflection and thinking. One day, one chapter at a time.” (
)“It’s a rare quiet moment in my day, when I can finally transport myself into a different world.” (
)“The slow read is not only a punctuation point in the day, it's also a highlight.” (
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3. Which translation of War and Peace should I read?
We have people reading in many languages and different translations. There is no definitive translation in English, and it will ultimately be a matter of personal taste.
My best advice is to sit down in a bookshop and read a few pages from a couple of translations. You will have an instinctive preference. Go with your gut.
Note that if you pick up a free translation online, it will almost certainly be the out-of-copyright version by Louise and Aylmer Maude. This is an excellent choice, but it is worth knowing that some of the chapters are divided a little differently from those in the reading schedule. These are not major, and I try to flag the discrepancies in the schedule, but it is worth keeping in mind.
In the original version, Leo Tolstoy wrote some passages and dialogue in French. Some editions have translated everything into English; others have provided translations in footnotes.
There are seven English translations in print. I am familiar with the three most recent versions, and they all have the same chapter divisions as the read-along:
Anthony Briggs (Penguin Classics)
This was the first translation I read in 2007. It feels very modern and uses British English. I loved it, and it is how I fell in love with War and Peace. It’s a great translation for first-timers, especially those not used to reading classics.
Some non-British readers find the dialogue occasionally jarring, especially the ‘cockney’ soldiers, but the modern style makes it exceptionally easy to read. It’s a solid choice and the firm favourite for many readers.
In this translation, French is translated in the text without the need for footnotes.
Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky (Vintage Classics)
This version is often pitched as the most faithful translation with a precise word-for-word translation of the original. I personally find it a little pedantic and flat-footed in places, but you may have a better experience.
If authenticity is important to you (and hey, it was very important to Tolstoy), you may value this serious and scholarly version. It is a popular choice among Literature students, and it is the copy you will probably first find in a bookstore, especially in the United States.
In this edition, French is translated in the footnotes.
Louise and Aylmer Maude (Oxford World’s Classics)
The Maudes were friends of Tolstoy, and he personally approved of this translation. In 2010, it was revised and updated by Amy Mandelker.
I have listened to the original version twice, and this updated version is my preferred translation for the read-along. The language can feel a little old-fashioned compared to Briggs, but I find it a smoother read than the more literal translation by Pevear and Volokhonsky.
In this version, the French is translated in the footnotes as well.
If you would like to dive deeper into the differences between all the translations, I recommend this detailed article on the website We Love Translations.
Our readers on the slow read…
“It's been an amazing, perspective-altering journey and I cannot recommend it highly enough.” (
)“This slow read of War and Peace with Simon has become one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done this year.” (
)“I’ve talked about this read-along to anyone who’d listen to me go on about it!” (
)“This community enriches the whole experience and gives a deeper understanding of history, languages, customs, and overarching themes.” (
)“I expected that it would be a good way to finish the book, but I had no idea how important the read-along and the community Simon has built would become to my life.” (
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4. How do I keep track of all the characters?
There are a lot of them. More than 500 characters with over 200 real historical figures, and a character may be referred to by their title, a diminutive, their patronymic, or even a French version of their name.
This is where I am here to help.
I have created a full list of characters. This links to plot summaries for all the major characters. My weekly posts link to these plot summaries and will help you keep the Denisovs and Dolokhovs straight in your head.
The slow read and the daily chat will also really help the names sink in. After that, you should have no problem keeping track.
Our readers on the solace of the slow read…
“The slow read has become a warm companion, a welcome refuge from the daily grind.” (
)“It's the best thing I've done for my mental health all year.” (
)“Reading War and Peace became a daily sanctuary, providing perspective and calm amidst life's chaos.” (
)“This last month has had a few ups and downs and I am not lying when I say both read-alongs, but particularly War and Peace due its daily chapters, kept me grounded.” (
)“I can't recommend this experience highly enough. I absolutely could not have predicted the importance of a slow read in a difficult year.” (
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5. How long are the chapters in War and Peace?
War and Peace is around 1,300 pages long. That sounds long, but it means each chapter is only about 3 to 4 pages. On audiobooks, they last around 10 minutes.
This is the perfect length to read during a coffee break, first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
If you want to develop the habit of reading daily, this is an excellent way to do it. For others, it leaves plenty of time to read more books alongside War and Peace.
Our readers on the read-along resources…
“Simon's daily summaries bring into focus key ideas or things I missed.” (
)“His index of all the characters is invaluable; there's a lot of them, they go through a lot of changes, and sometimes disappear for a hundred pages before they resurface.” (
)“Simon’s insights about each chapter helped me when my focus wasn’t quite there, or when I needed historical context or reminders about characters.” (
)“I’ve enjoyed in the weekly emails the opportunity to see the art and music which illuminates the text.” (
)“Simon's expert guidance and the community's enthusiasm made it engaging and addictive.” (
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6. Can I read at my own pace?
Of course! This isn’t school, and there are no rules.
If you want to race ahead or saunter behind, if life gets in the way, or your curiosity gets the better of you, do what works for you. My posts and our discussion will always be here when you want them.
All I want is for you to enjoy the experience and get you over the finish line and the last page of War and Peace.
Our readers on the impact on their reading…
“In 2023, I finished one book. This read-along has given me the habit of picking up a book every day. Once I carved out a little bit of time, I found more and more. This year, I’m already up to 15 books, not including War and Peace!” (
)“I find I slow down in all my reading now to really absorb the text and find any hidden meanings.” (
)“I've noticed as I've read certain other books that I'm catching myself when I'm being critical of the characters and am now more open to seeing their humanity, even when they aren't likeable, which I definitely owe to this slow read.” (
)“All in all, this experience has been eye-opening for me and has made me a better reader.” (
)
7. Can I skip the ‘war parts’?
No.
OK, you can. People do. But I don’t recommend it. The themes of war and peace are so closely entwined in this story, and you will get less than half of what this book has to offer by skipping the battles.
In fact, I’d go further. The title is misleading. It gives the impression that the book is divided into war sections and peace sections. In reality, there is peace on the battlefield and war in the ballroom.
And you may surprise yourself. My best advice is to read without expectations but with curiosity on every page. You never know what may resonate with you, and some of Tolstoy’s most beautiful language takes place in the most frightening of circumstances.
Our readers on the impact on their lives…
“War and Peace is a transformative experience that will enrich your life.” (
)“My depression and anxiety was so great I could barely leave the house. Last year I began seeing an excellent psychologist, who greatly helped, as did a change in medication. Then, in March, I began War and Peace. It sounds exaggerated, but it isn't; everyday something interesting to think about; relating to the characters and my chat friends; it truly lit up my life. Like Pierre and Platon, I found the missing piece. From a person who mostly only went out for groceries, I have been on two marvellous, recent trips this year; to Vietnam and Cambodia, and now just back from the breathtaking Kimberley region of Western Australia.” (
)“Life is about discovering new things and 2024 will be remembered as the year I happily discovered War and Peace.” (
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8. Can I listen instead of read?
Yes! There is no reading snobbery here, and this slow read is fully accessible to those with visual impairments or those who prefer to listen instead of reading.
I recommend Thandie Newton’s narration of the original Maude translation. Here’s a review. As I mentioned above, it has the slight disadvantage of the occasional difference in chapter divisions. But Newton’s reading is superb.
All my posts are released as podcasts. You can listen to these on my website, on the Substack App, or download and listen to them on your favourite podcast app.
9. Great, I’m in. When does it start?
Monday 1 January 2025! The reading schedule is straightforward: we read a chapter a day through the whole of next year, with a day off between each of the four volumes.
10. How do I join?
Become a paid subscriber at Footnotes and Tangents.
Turn on notifications in your settings for ‘2025 War and Peace’. This makes sure that you receive the weekly updates, either as an email or a notification in your Substack App.
This video shows you how to get set up and find your way around the website:
A personal story…
“A few years ago, I had to pack up my deceased aunt’s house. She died a week before her 101st birthday. Among the many books in her house, was a copy of War and Peace. I took it home but I only thought about it again when I saw a post on Facebook about this slow read. I’ve loved every moment of this journey.” (
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11. How much does it cost?
This slow read is for paid subscribers to Footnotes and Tangents. A subscription costs £3.50/month or £35/year. This includes:
50 detailed posts with audio voiceovers, discussion and resources, paintings, videos and further links.
Extensive plot summaries for all the major characters.
A friendly and inclusive discussion space.
A podcast version of my posts to download and listen to on your favourite app.
A paid subscription also includes:
Footnotes and Tangents Office Hours: A monthly chat thread to connect with readers across the book groups and share current reads and book recommendations.
Wolf Crawl: A year-long slow read of Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell trilogy.
On 1 January 2025, new subscriptions rise to £5/month or £50/year. This will not affect existing subscriptions, so upgrade before New Year’s Day for the best deal.
More than a book group…
“Thanks to the supportive mood Simon has set, we have become more than just members of a book club. When my dad was dying, I received so many kind messages from other readers, for example. I think Simon has channelled Tolstoy’s generous understanding of what it means to be human, and he has cultivated that understanding in us too. Who would have thought that an online readalong could become so spiritually meaningful? I’m so grateful for Simon and everyone in our group!” (
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12. Is there support for readers on a low income?
Yes! I have aimed to make this slow read as affordable as possible while providing an income to allow me to keep writing and running the read-alongs. However, I do not want your financial situation to be a barrier to benefiting from reading great literature.
If you are an engaged reader with a low or no income, please get in touch so I can support your reading with a complimentary subscription.
13. What other books are running next year?
Here is the full lineup for 2025:
Jan–Mar: The Siege of Krishnapur by J. G. Farrell
May–Sep: A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel
Oct–Nov: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Nov–Dec: The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald
All Year: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
All Year: Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell trilogy
Here is the introductory post for Wolf Crawl, our slow read of Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell trilogy:
14. Any further questions?
If anything is unclear or you have more questions about the read-along, the slow reads or anything else at Footnotes and Tangents, please leave a comment, hit reply or send me a message in the Substack app.
15. Substack Book Group Directory
I maintain a list of book groups, book clubs, read-alongs and slow reads hosted on Substack. The list is updated monthly. Explore the directory to find books and reading communities that interest you:
16. The Audrey Listen-Along: A Christmas Carol
Audrey is an app that curates audiobooks with audiovisual notes from an expert guide. I have created notes for their audiobooks of Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, and Lewis Carroll’s Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. If you like Footnotes and Tangents, you’ll love listening to audiobooks with Audrey.
From December 9th to 18th, they will be running a listen-along of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. This is an annual tradition, and each year, they add a few more guide notes and reflections to the original guide. Find out more about the listen-along in the link below:
Audrey has kindly sent me a promo code so that you can enjoy their audiobook for free and take part in the listen-along. Here’s the code:
Christmas-SIMON-2024
Thank you for reading
And that’s all from me. I hope I have inspired you to join us for War and Peace 2025. If you took part in the slow read this year or last, I would love to hear from you in the comments. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Until next month, I am your guide,
Simon Haisell
If you are reluctant to join there is no need to be…bite size chapters, no pressure, supportive host and fellow readers, magical story - I definitely recommend that you go for it! I would’ve never predicted that I could accomplish reading War and Peace and here I am with just a month to go feeling pretty proud of myself ☺️
What a wonderful adventure it's been reading War and Peace a chapter a day with our undaunted captain, Simon, at the helm. He skillfully navigated us through the drawing rooms of St. Petersburg and the battlefields of Borodino, as well as through our daily chats. The insights of my fellow readers multiplied my understanding in many ways. I will always remember 2024 as my year of War and Peace. Looking forward to my next reads with Simon and friends!