Vasili Sergeevich Kuragin

A sly old schemer

BOOK ONE

Part One

Chapter 1

Prince Vasili arrives early at Anna Pavlovna’s soirée, desiring to aid his son Ippolit’s diplomatic appointment in Vienna. The prince speaks “languidly” like an actor repeating a “stale part”. And is none-too-kind about his children: fools, the bane of his life, the cross he bears.

Chapter 3

As Vasili makes his early departure for the ambassador’s ball, he tells Anna Pavlovna that Pierre has been staying with him: “Educate this bear for me!”

Chapter 4

Before he can slide out the door, Anna Mikhailovna intercepts him. He believes he must be economical with his influence, but is “moved” by the “consideration” that Anna may make a “scene”. To pacify her, he promises to speak to the emperor on behalf of her son, who she wants to be transferred to the Guards.

Chapter 11

Let’s take a moment to imagine a young Prince Vasili acting with the now countess Rostova. “He paid me attention in those days,” she remembers with a smile. Anna Mikhailovna paints a glowing portrait of him that doesn’t exactly match reality.

Chapter 12

I am sure Prince Vasili is delighted to see Anna Mikhailovna turn up at Count Bezukhov’s house! He can’t get rid of her, so she delays any damage she might do to the count and Vasili’s hopes of inheritance. Oh, and a cheeky detail: I suspect he did once hope to marry Nathalie Shinshina, who ended up with “that unlicked bear”, Count Rostov.

Chapter 13

“The count is very, very, ill, and you must not see him at all”, he tells Pierre. He’s keeping the son and father apart in these last days of Count Bezukhov’s life.

Chapter 18

It is always curious to discover a public man’s face in private. With his cousin Katiche, his cheeks twitch nervously, and her face assumes “an unpleasant expression which was never to be seen on it in a drawing room.” He speaks to her “about business” and a dangerous set of papers that would disinherit his family and hers. And make Pierre the legitimate and sole heir.

Chapter 19

Prince Vasili is suited and booted in his long cloak with all his stars. With an audience about him, he makes a point of holding Pierre’s hand and calling him a friend. A shrewd move. Less elegant is his jerky tiptoe into the count’s room.

Chapter 20

A man who considers himself serious and wants to be seen as serious, he is all piety and resignation in the count’s room. But there’s still time to check under the dying man’s pillow for the inlaid portfolio.

Chapter 21

In the case of the inlaid portfolio, Prince Vasili’s inaction contrasts with Katiche’s behaviour. He appears almost ashamed and overcome by the situation, his flabby cheeks expressing his agitation in all their twitching horror. And when death comes to the count, we glimpse a rare moment of “sincerity and weakness” from the old courtier: “How often we sin, how much we deceive, and all for what?”

Chapter 22

According to Julie Karagin, the prince played a “despicable part” in the inheritance of Count Bezukhov, and has been left with nothing. He has returned to St Petersburg “crestfallen”. Marya says that Vasili has requested an invitation to visit Bald Halls, where Julie suspects he will attempt to match Marya to his son Anatole.