16 Comments
Aug 18Liked by Simon Haisell

I have been an avid reader of your weekly summaries all year and just want to drop a note to say how much fun I am having with this read along! Thanks so much for the brilliant content Simon, I especially love the paintings you include. I read widely but Tolstoy somehow always felt a bit beyond me, but my worries were unfounded.

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Why thank you! So lovely to hear that!

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Aug 18Liked by Simon Haisell

David Byrne - ah, he was so young and wonderfully quirky in that video! 🙂

Great summary, as always, Simon, thank you.

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Aug 18Liked by Simon Haisell

And for us readers, author of How Music Works. Thanks for the reminder that it’s on my shelf. Time to dip into it again.

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Aug 18Liked by Simon Haisell

Thank you for another insightful summary and for guiding us through this difficult week, Simon. And my appreciation for the rich commentary in the chats is truly beyond what I can express. I am getting so much more from this experience than I ever would have in a class or on my own. Hope you're enjoying late-summer where you are!

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Simon, i look foward to your Sunday overview & summary. This one was great; all so beautifully written & spoken…. & so helpful to my understanding of these chapters. As others have said, I love the paintings & the talking heads selection so perfect. I am grateful for this slow read & all those who contribute & comment. Tolstoy’s inclusion of Masha was a wonderful touch & i liked thinking about how she might have told her grandchildren about that day… when living in a burdensome time of history.

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Thank you Karen! A lovely message to read on a warm breezy afternoon in my garden minding my two kids. Have a wonderful rest of your day!

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I can’t think of anything to say that isn't a spoiler, so I'll hold my peace.

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Ever the problem of the re-reader!

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Aug 18Liked by Simon Haisell

Ahh the great 20th century philosopher David Byrne! Love this addition to another wonderful summary. Enjoy your break.

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Aug 18Liked by Simon Haisell

Loved the summary as always. 👍. A very eventful week for us all. Let’s see where next week takes us🤞

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Thanks Lynn. Updates will be a little less thorough over the next two weeks while I take a bit of a break. But lots happening in the story ahead of us.

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“But take a step back, with Tolstoy. And another. See the great sweep of history, the wide river of events. And know that in our hearts, even this cherished moment, so vital and unique, vibrating with possibilities, was decided a long, long time ago.”

We all need a little Tolstoy and in our lives.

Thank you Simon for the reminder.

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Thank you. He is seeing consultant on Friday and I am cited for court on Friday for work so hopefully by the weekend there will be progress all round! Until then I will immerse myself in book drama 😊

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I loved the description of Masha coming down from her perch with her wee toes gripping as she lowered herself. To do this scene from a child's view was genius and I had not even thought of her later telling it to her grandchildren.

Reading really is my escape but at the moment with a sick 15 year old and intense stuff at work my focus is poor so new books are a struggle. War and Peace is new to me but the chapter a day and your summaries are one focus I can have. Wolfhall is not new but the added insights on here is enough to give me fresh ideas. Thank you, it very appreciated.

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I love your 15 year old is better soon and work is less intense. I'm glad that both these readings are helping!

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