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!
I've loved War and Peace this year and plan to do it again in 2025. Along with joining the Cromwell Trilogy. These read alongs are addictive. I'll also be reading Homer with another group, and probably the Anna Karenina group too. And thank you for the Christmas Carol link. I've been enjoying the Audrey listen alongs since Alice in Wonderland. It's a great site!
If you are thinking about doing this slow read, my strong advice is “Do It!” You won’t regret it. It’s been a fabulous journey. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be something I could do, but I haven’t missed a day.. even on holiday! I’m signing up with Simon for next year with his new books and also going to re-read W&P.
Perfect timing! I am working on a Happy Wanderer post about a reading challenge I did this year, and I am planning to have a section about the War and Peace readalong. I am so glad to be able to link to this handy post for my readers! Hopefully at least a few of them will join the readalong next year. 😊
My copy should arrive today. After getting used to the heft of Mantel’s trilogy I’m hoping its size won’t feel quite so daunting as it would a year ago! Here’s to more chunky and intimidating books! Can’t wait to read W&P with you Simon 😁
The War and Peace slow book read was my literary highlight for 2024! Thank you, Simon, for your dedication and passion to this group. It made this experience unforgettable and forever changed how I see this incredible book.
I agree with what everyone else has said. Simon has put together a really great slow read experience with tons of resources to help. If you’ve ever wanted to read War and Peace this is the way to do it and it’s the last year ever so don’t miss your chance! It’s very manageable to read a chapter a day and you can engage with the chat as much or as little as you want. I’m so glad I did it this year.
The 2024 reading is an experience that I will never forget. Leo Tolstoy’s masterpiece, Simon’s daily commentary and engagement with the chat thread, and the community of shared thoughts with fellow readers has been incredibly enriching. It exceeded my expectations and I look forward to joining the Cromwell trilogy read along next year.
I loved this slow read in 2023 and I’m in for 2025 for a re read and I’ll pick another translation to try out. It was such a wonderful ritual and I’m still so proud of myself for having read it.
This has been the best thing I’ve done all year. I have taken part in both slow reads and I know I wouldn’t have sustained reading the books either out our group. I have found my own rhythm to manage but I also have read double the books I read last year alongside the slow reads! I can’t wait for next year’s reads. Hurrah for slow reads and Hurrah to Simon!
Joining, on a whim, from the Gretchen Rubin podcast recommendation! Purchased a physical copy and downloaded an audio version as well. Super excited. But also hoping I can keep up the momentum and stick with it throughout the entire year!
I will join, I wasn't able to finish this year since I only started in March, but I want to read War and Peace from beginning to end in a pleasant community. The months I spent reading with you gave me so much, I came to see Tolstoy in a completely different light.
Yes, but too much Raskolnikov isn't good for mental health 😅. I need Tolstoy! And since I'm planning to read The Brothers Karamazov next year, War and Peace is absolutely essential for balance!
Oh man, I know that feeling. Actually reading Crime and Punishment is a bit like reading Mantel... so having Tolstoy and Mantel in my life has created a good balance.
Oh yes, Tolstoy really is like an antidepressant with his measured style and historical perspective. But I'm not capable of doing two or three readings like you do. It's nice to be a passive participant. So I'm looking forward to the new reading!
Really looking forward to this - never read W&P so this is a perfect opportunity. Also rereading Wolf Hall trilogy in ‘25 though I’ve never finished the third as can’t bear for it to end. And A Place of Greater Safety is one of my top 3 all time books and my favourite Mantel. It’s great read in conjunction with Simon Schama’s Citizens.
Looking forward to the 2025 slow read. I’m way too obsessed with choosing the right translation for any book translated into English, so I’ve been trying to decide which translation of War and Peace to use. Over the last few days I slowly read the introduction to the Pevear and Volokhonsky edition. This introduction is written by Richard Pevear, and I found it extremely convincing regarding their philosophy and methods of translation. In fact, I found it so compelling that I am sold on using their translation for the slow read. I might refer to the Maude some, or at least use the audio for Maude, since there is no audio version for the Pevear and Volokhonsky. But for the reading itself, I’m using P and V.
Besides, I absolutely love the cover of their edition. I know that shouldn’t matter. But I’ll be seeing that gorgeous cover at least once a day for a year. jj
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 ☺️
Hurrah! Thank you Jenny!
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!
Thanks Joanne, for joining our ship o' fools! We don't know where we are going, but we are enjoying the adventure!
I've loved War and Peace this year and plan to do it again in 2025. Along with joining the Cromwell Trilogy. These read alongs are addictive. I'll also be reading Homer with another group, and probably the Anna Karenina group too. And thank you for the Christmas Carol link. I've been enjoying the Audrey listen alongs since Alice in Wonderland. It's a great site!
You've got the bug! And let's here it for Audrey!
If you are thinking about doing this slow read, my strong advice is “Do It!” You won’t regret it. It’s been a fabulous journey. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be something I could do, but I haven’t missed a day.. even on holiday! I’m signing up with Simon for next year with his new books and also going to re-read W&P.
Thank you so much Lynn for joining us and all your cheerleading along the way! See you for more next year!
Perfect timing! I am working on a Happy Wanderer post about a reading challenge I did this year, and I am planning to have a section about the War and Peace readalong. I am so glad to be able to link to this handy post for my readers! Hopefully at least a few of them will join the readalong next year. 😊
Thanks so much Mari! Looking forward to reading about your reading challenge.
My copy should arrive today. After getting used to the heft of Mantel’s trilogy I’m hoping its size won’t feel quite so daunting as it would a year ago! Here’s to more chunky and intimidating books! Can’t wait to read W&P with you Simon 😁
Fantastic, Sharon. W&P is such a different book, and a daily read is a different rhythm. But I hope you get a lot out of it!
The War and Peace slow book read was my literary highlight for 2024! Thank you, Simon, for your dedication and passion to this group. It made this experience unforgettable and forever changed how I see this incredible book.
That's so wonderful Lula, thank you so much!
I agree with what everyone else has said. Simon has put together a really great slow read experience with tons of resources to help. If you’ve ever wanted to read War and Peace this is the way to do it and it’s the last year ever so don’t miss your chance! It’s very manageable to read a chapter a day and you can engage with the chat as much or as little as you want. I’m so glad I did it this year.
Thank you!
The 2024 reading is an experience that I will never forget. Leo Tolstoy’s masterpiece, Simon’s daily commentary and engagement with the chat thread, and the community of shared thoughts with fellow readers has been incredibly enriching. It exceeded my expectations and I look forward to joining the Cromwell trilogy read along next year.
Wonderful Linda. You're in for a real treat next year with Wolf Hall!
I loved this slow read in 2023 and I’m in for 2025 for a re read and I’ll pick another translation to try out. It was such a wonderful ritual and I’m still so proud of myself for having read it.
Fantastic Sheila! Turning you into a War and Peace re-re-reader!
This has been the best thing I’ve done all year. I have taken part in both slow reads and I know I wouldn’t have sustained reading the books either out our group. I have found my own rhythm to manage but I also have read double the books I read last year alongside the slow reads! I can’t wait for next year’s reads. Hurrah for slow reads and Hurrah to Simon!
Thank you Julie! And hurrah to Julie for being part of it and finishing these fabulous books!
Joining, on a whim, from the Gretchen Rubin podcast recommendation! Purchased a physical copy and downloaded an audio version as well. Super excited. But also hoping I can keep up the momentum and stick with it throughout the entire year!
Welcome and good luck!
I will join, I wasn't able to finish this year since I only started in March, but I want to read War and Peace from beginning to end in a pleasant community. The months I spent reading with you gave me so much, I came to see Tolstoy in a completely different light.
Wonderful! You've been busy yourself with Dosto!
Yes, but too much Raskolnikov isn't good for mental health 😅. I need Tolstoy! And since I'm planning to read The Brothers Karamazov next year, War and Peace is absolutely essential for balance!
Oh man, I know that feeling. Actually reading Crime and Punishment is a bit like reading Mantel... so having Tolstoy and Mantel in my life has created a good balance.
Oh yes, Tolstoy really is like an antidepressant with his measured style and historical perspective. But I'm not capable of doing two or three readings like you do. It's nice to be a passive participant. So I'm looking forward to the new reading!
War and Peace is a long book that ends before I’m ready to stop reading it
True enough.
Really looking forward to this - never read W&P so this is a perfect opportunity. Also rereading Wolf Hall trilogy in ‘25 though I’ve never finished the third as can’t bear for it to end. And A Place of Greater Safety is one of my top 3 all time books and my favourite Mantel. It’s great read in conjunction with Simon Schama’s Citizens.
You're not the only one who has used Wolf Crawl to help them get through The Mirror and the Light! Welcome!
My favourite Schama book!
Looking forward to the 2025 slow read. I’m way too obsessed with choosing the right translation for any book translated into English, so I’ve been trying to decide which translation of War and Peace to use. Over the last few days I slowly read the introduction to the Pevear and Volokhonsky edition. This introduction is written by Richard Pevear, and I found it extremely convincing regarding their philosophy and methods of translation. In fact, I found it so compelling that I am sold on using their translation for the slow read. I might refer to the Maude some, or at least use the audio for Maude, since there is no audio version for the Pevear and Volokhonsky. But for the reading itself, I’m using P and V.
Besides, I absolutely love the cover of their edition. I know that shouldn’t matter. But I’ll be seeing that gorgeous cover at least once a day for a year. jj
Great! Sounds like you are all set.