So much happened this week, right? My head is spinning. Maybe it's because Bald Hills and the Rostov home are so different it's whiplash to move between them. Heck, they could be War and Peace in and of themselves.
Thank you, everyone, who provides artwork for our readalong. I really love all of it!
Simon, this is wonderful! I especially appreciated what you wrote about having compassion for the characters. Judge less and listen more is always great advice both in reading and life.
I think the point is that it doesn't matter if Helene didn't sleep with Dolokov, she has nonetheless revealed she doesn't love or respect Pierre so regardless she tricked him into marriage or at the least the marriage was a huge error.
It's more interesting than that though, isn't it? Because Pierre is hardly blameless, and indeed blames himself. Plus right now, it matters to Pierre whether the rumours are true or not.
Wonderful writing, Simon, and the accompanying art adds visual richness…. the duel in a snowy wood…receiving news from war…. the submissions from the readers ❤️
Haha, you really have no doubt? First three times I read it, I was convinced. Now I'm convinced that they didn't. Neither is right, we just don't know!
Another fantastic round up. I enjoy unwinding after work by listening to this and thinking through the recent chapters. I am still haunted by Liza lying dead after all that fear, exhaustion and pain. It may not be in the battlefield but it was still a battle for her, with no acknowledgement of a a hero's death at the end.
Simon, you outdid yourself writing about this week's theme.
According to Goodreads we have now read (just over) the first quarter of the book. I liked that we hit that milestone in a week that seemed like we were reading both too fast and too slow.
I look forward to your book Simon. I do hope you are writing one. I’m happy to say, I live in a Rostov house, eat, drink, be merry. Guests frequently comment on how warm and inviting our house is. Though it is simple, and lacks any sense of interior design, these words from friends are a source of pride. 🏠 ❤️
I think there’s definitely something going on with Helene and Dolokhov, but it might not be an affair. Helene has been manipulating Pierre since they first met, so there’s no way she was telling the whole truth. I think she was bending the truth in some way, but to what extent, I have no idea.
Oh, your musings on Hope were wonderful, I've somehow missed them in the chat.
I think the Princess and old Bolkonski were divided both by how they handled uncertainty as well as how they handled grief. Marya has the bigger capacity to contain all kinds of emotion (in parts thanks to her faith, I think).
The old Prince cannot handle his own emotions at all, especiall, if they were contradicting.
Such a rollercoaster of happenings! Duels, young love, dancing( yes!), awkward proposal & refusals, struggling marriages- with words like bullets that can’t be retrieved-or worse, a death exchanged for a new life, friendship and betrayal? Debt and generosity. I’m sure I missed something- but Tolstoy? Nope, he covers it all.
Just catching up after a week of vacation and then work….wow! Week 11 was a lot! I’m falling deeper in love with these characters and the spirit of Tolstoy’s writing
So much happened this week, right? My head is spinning. Maybe it's because Bald Hills and the Rostov home are so different it's whiplash to move between them. Heck, they could be War and Peace in and of themselves.
Thank you, everyone, who provides artwork for our readalong. I really love all of it!
A whirlwind, a storm of a week. And I am loving all the art it inspires.
Simon, this is wonderful! I especially appreciated what you wrote about having compassion for the characters. Judge less and listen more is always great advice both in reading and life.
I think the point is that it doesn't matter if Helene didn't sleep with Dolokov, she has nonetheless revealed she doesn't love or respect Pierre so regardless she tricked him into marriage or at the least the marriage was a huge error.
It's more interesting than that though, isn't it? Because Pierre is hardly blameless, and indeed blames himself. Plus right now, it matters to Pierre whether the rumours are true or not.
Yes that's true, though possibly he cares about the truth not because of Helene but because of Dolokov?
Yes, I think for the fear he has killed an innocent man. If we can risk calling Dolokhov that!
Wonderful writing, Simon, and the accompanying art adds visual richness…. the duel in a snowy wood…receiving news from war…. the submissions from the readers ❤️
(BTW, Helene and D? Of course they did!)
Haha, you really have no doubt? First three times I read it, I was convinced. Now I'm convinced that they didn't. Neither is right, we just don't know!
Another fantastic round up. I enjoy unwinding after work by listening to this and thinking through the recent chapters. I am still haunted by Liza lying dead after all that fear, exhaustion and pain. It may not be in the battlefield but it was still a battle for her, with no acknowledgement of a a hero's death at the end.
Beautifully written. Thank you @Simon Haisell.
Simon, you outdid yourself writing about this week's theme.
According to Goodreads we have now read (just over) the first quarter of the book. I liked that we hit that milestone in a week that seemed like we were reading both too fast and too slow.
Oh, well done us!
I look forward to your book Simon. I do hope you are writing one. I’m happy to say, I live in a Rostov house, eat, drink, be merry. Guests frequently comment on how warm and inviting our house is. Though it is simple, and lacks any sense of interior design, these words from friends are a source of pride. 🏠 ❤️
I can confirm it's a Rostov house!
Yeah! I think perhaps yours too Ann?
I think there’s definitely something going on with Helene and Dolokhov, but it might not be an affair. Helene has been manipulating Pierre since they first met, so there’s no way she was telling the whole truth. I think she was bending the truth in some way, but to what extent, I have no idea.
Thank you once again Simon for these comprehensive roundups.
I think I remember in an early episode of House of Dragon something similar being stated to your, “the bedchamber is a battlefield”.
Ah, do you think they stole it from Mantel, which is where I stole it? Ah, it's a metaphor as old as the hills.
Oh, your musings on Hope were wonderful, I've somehow missed them in the chat.
I think the Princess and old Bolkonski were divided both by how they handled uncertainty as well as how they handled grief. Marya has the bigger capacity to contain all kinds of emotion (in parts thanks to her faith, I think).
The old Prince cannot handle his own emotions at all, especiall, if they were contradicting.
Wonderful, Simon! And love everyone’s art work.
This has been my favorite week. Enjoyed it so much that I started reading ahead...
Such a rollercoaster of happenings! Duels, young love, dancing( yes!), awkward proposal & refusals, struggling marriages- with words like bullets that can’t be retrieved-or worse, a death exchanged for a new life, friendship and betrayal? Debt and generosity. I’m sure I missed something- but Tolstoy? Nope, he covers it all.
Susannah’s portrait of Nicolai is so beautiful! He looks handsome and pensive, full of feelings and a bit lost, just how I picture him.
Just catching up after a week of vacation and then work….wow! Week 11 was a lot! I’m falling deeper in love with these characters and the spirit of Tolstoy’s writing