I am looking at the book of War and Peace I have purchased for my re-read next year (this year was on kindle) and I can't believe we are so close to the end of this epic read. I would not have thought when we started I would want to read it again so soon but there you go! Have enjoyed it so much my family secret Santa this year is getting a gift subscription of Footnotes and Tangents and a copy of War and Peace. I am keen to know where the last stages of this book will take us, we seem so far from those days of carefree parties and trivial concerns. Enjoyed the links this week too, especially the story.
I think there will certainly be some chat about it :) I am excited to give it as a gift. I suspect he will do Wolf Crawl as well but I am sure he has these books.
These Pierre chapters are quite profound; I love your acknowledgment that the meaning in them shifts as our life experience and wisdom grow. Thank you for including the link to the Kaufman essay.
The more I see of Vereshchagin’s art, the more I enjoy it. I first came across it in some of the references included in Figes’ excellent book, Natasha’s Dance.
Yes, the chapters that relate to death are the ones that shift most for me. It reminds me that our relationship with a book is never finished. This Vereshchagrin haunts me, more than the pile of skulls. Something about walking so far but for nothing.
Another great weekly commentary. Mostly because there’s an awful lot on suffering and death and their meanings, interpretations and how we deal with them or avoid them. 2 topics which I ponder often. A couple of striking lines:
Suffering is what we bring upon ourselves. Might I add “ and what we cause for others”. Aren’t these threads themes revisited throughout the entire book? Yes, looking back I sure do see it. And we are all guilty of bringing it or inflicting it.
Also love that Tolstoy wanted people to question him about his dying while he was going through it- just the sort of crazy idea that resonates with me. But who would remember this request or have the nerve to fulfill it?
Amazing how much that last chapter rhymes with what we’re experiencing in the US post election. I admit, it’s been hard to keep up with the reading with all that is going on. But these chapters are a reminder that all things change. What goes up, will come down.
I am looking at the book of War and Peace I have purchased for my re-read next year (this year was on kindle) and I can't believe we are so close to the end of this epic read. I would not have thought when we started I would want to read it again so soon but there you go! Have enjoyed it so much my family secret Santa this year is getting a gift subscription of Footnotes and Tangents and a copy of War and Peace. I am keen to know where the last stages of this book will take us, we seem so far from those days of carefree parties and trivial concerns. Enjoyed the links this week too, especially the story.
I love this, Claire. Here's hoping you and your Secret Santa can read along together next year.
I think there will certainly be some chat about it :) I am excited to give it as a gift. I suspect he will do Wolf Crawl as well but I am sure he has these books.
These Pierre chapters are quite profound; I love your acknowledgment that the meaning in them shifts as our life experience and wisdom grow. Thank you for including the link to the Kaufman essay.
The more I see of Vereshchagin’s art, the more I enjoy it. I first came across it in some of the references included in Figes’ excellent book, Natasha’s Dance.
Yes, the chapters that relate to death are the ones that shift most for me. It reminds me that our relationship with a book is never finished. This Vereshchagrin haunts me, more than the pile of skulls. Something about walking so far but for nothing.
Yes, that last line of Chapter 18 hit hard this week.
Another great weekly commentary. Mostly because there’s an awful lot on suffering and death and their meanings, interpretations and how we deal with them or avoid them. 2 topics which I ponder often. A couple of striking lines:
Suffering is what we bring upon ourselves. Might I add “ and what we cause for others”. Aren’t these threads themes revisited throughout the entire book? Yes, looking back I sure do see it. And we are all guilty of bringing it or inflicting it.
Also love that Tolstoy wanted people to question him about his dying while he was going through it- just the sort of crazy idea that resonates with me. But who would remember this request or have the nerve to fulfill it?
Amazing how much that last chapter rhymes with what we’re experiencing in the US post election. I admit, it’s been hard to keep up with the reading with all that is going on. But these chapters are a reminder that all things change. What goes up, will come down.