Yes, you read that correctly. In the year of planning to have no plans, I am making a tentative commitment to join in to a group read! Gulp!
So far this year the only real project I’ve got involved in, apart from our reading years of course, is the LibraryThing Virago Group’s monthly author choice. This has been enjoyable, and I feel that I can drop in and out of this one as necessary, so there isn’t any pressure.
Old hardback Maudes version
However. When I read that Laura of Reading in Bed was hosting a War and Peace Newbies read over the summer, I was sorely tempted. Tolstoy’s great work is one I’ve intended to grapple with for years and have simply never got to. Yet I loved “Anna Karenina” so there’s no good reason not to, apart from size!
Laura’s read is split up into manageable weekly chunks and looks doable. She’s come up with a Q&A to go with the tag and you can read her thoughts here. I thought I would have a go, too, so here’s my take on the meme!
Have you read (or attempted) War and Peace?
No, basically. I’ve owned a copy for decades but I don’t think I’ve got farther than reading the first two pages.
What edition and translation are you reading?
I have two copies of “War and Peace” in the house if I’m not sure of which translation I fancy reading. One is a lovely two-volume set with box that came out at the time of the old BBC adaptation, and it’s translated by Rosemary Edmonds. The other is *very* old – and I’ve had it for decades – and is the Maudes version. I tend to always go for a contemporary rendering if I can so that would suggest the Maudes – we shall see.
The BBC tie-in version
How much to you know about War and Peave (plot, characters, etc)?
Not a lot really – I know the names of some of the main characters and that Napoleon’s in there, but apart from that I come to War and Peace with little foreknowledge!
How are you preparing (watching adaptations, background reading, etc?)
I’m not. I figure I want to come to this with no preconceptions and I already have some as I visualise Pierre as a young Anthony Hopkins! So I’ll try to judge it as I find it, and I’ll have all the plot twists to come with no expectations.
The hardback even has a lovely little map inside
What do you hope to get out of reading War and Peace?
I don’t actually know! But I loved Anna Karenina – one of those books you kind of live through – and I’m hoping for a similarly immersive experience.
What are you intimidated by?
The length. And having a schedule. I don’t do too well with schedules….
Do you think it’s okay to skip the “war” parts?
Definitely not. You need to have the contrast between the two elements. I shall try to read each page, despite any occasions of my attention flagging during battle scenes.
So – I will give it a go and see if I can stick to a small section of “War and Peace” every week. I’m not always good at disciplined reading that like but I think it’s worth the attempt – to see if 2017 will be my Summer of “War and Peace”!
If you’re keen to join in, do go and check out Laura’s site – it should be fun! 🙂
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Jun 20, 2017 @ 07:09:31
Good luck. I shall watch with interest. I have read War and Peace when I was about 20 probably. I still lived at home and had lots more reading time. I remember I loved the overall story though struggled with the names. I think I was surprised how readable I found it.
Jun 20, 2017 @ 10:59:47
Thanks – I’ll probably need it! I found AK very readable and so hopefully this will be the same!
Jun 20, 2017 @ 08:12:11
I’m tempted buy this, too! I read it a couple of years ago, but it’s such a huge book and I’m sure it would benefit from a second read. It took so long for everyone’s names and connections to settle into my head, this time I’d be ready 🙂
Jun 20, 2017 @ 10:59:21
Oh, join in do! It should be fun and with others involved it should hopefully keep the motivation up! 🙂
Jun 20, 2017 @ 09:53:18
I’m bowled over by the revelation that with all your breadth of reading of those Russian greats you’ve not got to this me yet. I read this in he summer of 1975 just after finishing my A levels. The battle scenes were a bit of a slog so I was reading those a bit faster than the rest of the book which was fascinatimg. One recommendation for you – make a bookmark with tha character names including their variations. I was constantly getting lost who was who until I did this.
Jun 20, 2017 @ 10:58:49
Surprising, really, and I only read Anna Karenina within the last few years. And that’s a great suggestion about the names – I’m bound to get lost so it will be a very useful aid!
Jun 20, 2017 @ 17:59:03
Those dratted Russians will insist on having three name variations. My edition had a character list and explanation at the beginning but it was just so cumbersome to keep checking back. The bookmark was my salvation 🙂
Jun 20, 2017 @ 19:32:41
They’re very pesky with their names. I may see if one of mine has a character list and photocopy it! 🙂
Jun 20, 2017 @ 09:54:29
I am cheering you on to read War and Peace. This is a book that I thought I would never read because of its huge size (You might remember I said the same thing about the size intimidating me on your review of The Patriots. I do not enjoy big books unless the writing is exceptional). However this year I read Anna Karenina and I was mesmerized. I was transported to the world Tolstoy created and have an urge to read more of his works. So I might pick up War and Peace one day after all. Not this year, since I read Anna K; but maybe some day. I hope you will enjoy the read
Jun 20, 2017 @ 10:49:15
Thank you! Yes, I’ll definitely need encouraging on. I found Anna Karenina absolutely absorbing so I’m hoping this will be the same kind of experience! Yes, a big book has to be special – most definitely!
Jun 20, 2017 @ 10:20:17
I’ll be your cheerleader. With your knowledge of and interest in Russian literature, I’m sure you’ll do well, with or without a schedule. I admit I skim-read some of the battle scenes, as they do tend to go on a bit.
Jun 20, 2017 @ 10:47:49
Thank you! I’ll probably need all the cheering on I can get! And yes – I reckon I might slightly skim the battle bits, but I won’t skip them completely.
Jun 20, 2017 @ 10:54:22
Actually, some of the political discussions are quite interesting, although I didn’t think so at the time of the first reading. I just wanted to get to the Natasha bits! Typical teen!
Jun 20, 2017 @ 11:01:12
🙂 Yes, I imagine reading this at an older age, as I am, my perspective will be very different if I’d actually read it when I first got a copy in my early 20s!
Jun 20, 2017 @ 11:18:41
Good luck! W&P can be quite daunting at first read! But it us an absolute ripping yarn in places, and the war scenes and philosophical passages are crucial for understanding Tolstoy’s theory of history and morality. Apparently Andrew Kaufman’s Give War and Peace a Chance is a useful companion read–I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t read it yet,
Jun 20, 2017 @ 11:40:25
Thank you! I shall do my best! And thanks for the hint about the Kaufman book – definitely sounds worth exploring!
Jun 20, 2017 @ 11:57:19
What lovely editions! I haven’t seen the Edmonds translation, and as I’ve looked at four and still haven’t decided I probably shouldn’t look at another. I wish you luck, getting through the vast number of pages and the battle scenes.
Jun 20, 2017 @ 14:02:35
They both have reasons to make me want to pick them up! I may read a chapter or two of each and see which one is the easiest for me to read and make my decision that way.
Jun 20, 2017 @ 12:22:16
I’m just finishing Resurrection with a group on Goodreads, and I can say that the Edmonds translation is by far the better one. It’s also the more recent translation. Maude’s is more heavily censored. I may join in to read W&P as I’m quite taken by Tolstoy and better understand your fascination with Russian Lit.
Jun 20, 2017 @ 14:01:33
Interesting. Edmonds I know is highly regarded, and it’s still old enough to be in the kind of language I like! 🙂
Jun 20, 2017 @ 12:34:14
I just listened to Amanda Centre’s short video on translations of W&P and would agree with her on the Pevear translation. I just started reading their translation of The Death of Ivan Ilyvich and it reads extremely well — feels almost seamless..
Jun 20, 2017 @ 14:00:50
TBH, I’ve never got on that well with P/V translations – I tend to prefer my classics to have more classical language and I don’t particularly find their working methods that inspiring. But translation is a very personal thing and what doesn’t work for me will no doubt work for others! 🙂
Jun 20, 2017 @ 14:26:11
Interesting. I will compare the P/V to Edmonds, which I do find reads well. It’s clear and easy to grasp.
Jun 20, 2017 @ 14:34:07
I think it’s definitely worth checking a few versions to see which works for you.
Jun 24, 2017 @ 20:04:41
I apologize if I come across as a know-it-all, but I think you’re making a big mistake by rejecting the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation. I have read a lot of Russian literature (all in translation) over the years, and P-V’s are–to me, granted–far and away the best for modern English-speaking readers (especially, “The Idiot,” which I have found almost unreadable in other translations, and I love Dostoevsky). Anyway, I’d read two previous versions of W&P before the P-V version came out. Having read, and loved, P-V’s previous translations, I bought it right away. I opened the first chapter with the usual resignation, as getting through the party scene is something of a literary hazing ritual. I was so stunned at how quickly if flowed, how good and clear it was, that I assumed that P-V must have taken some strong liberties with the translation, but research quickly proved otherwise. Please consider carefully.
Jun 24, 2017 @ 20:20:29
Well, to each his or her own. And I *have* consdered P/V carefully in the past – they nearly ruined my first reading of The Master and Margarita for me and I’ve compared things of theirs with other translations and they don’t work for me. I read The Idiot in a different version to theirs and loved it, and I’m not entirely comfortable with their working methods. I’ve also read a *lot* of criticism of their translations from people who speak both Russian and English. So I think I will stick to either the Maudes or Edmonds, thanks!
Jun 20, 2017 @ 12:39:39
If you’re going through hell, keep going !
Jun 20, 2017 @ 13:37:26
:)))) I will!
Jun 20, 2017 @ 16:03:12
I’ve read the Maude translation and enjoyed it.
Jun 20, 2017 @ 19:33:27
That’s good to know – I’m drawn to it! 🙂
Jun 20, 2017 @ 16:47:23
I started it once and it wasn’t for me. But you have to read it, don’t you, really. Do it! Do it! My husband says it’s not as long as you think it is, which I know seemed to comfort Jane when I said as much on her blog!
Jun 20, 2017 @ 19:33:09
That *is* very comforting to know – thank you! Yes, I shall do my utmost to stick to this one! 🙂
Jun 20, 2017 @ 18:05:43
Great point about being intimidated by having a schedule. I’m the exact same. I loathe them. I really hope I can stick with this one, considering how long it is (I’m doing Laura’s readlong too, FYI). Good luck! I’m excited to read your posts along the way.
Jun 20, 2017 @ 19:32:04
Yay! The more the merrier! I hope I can stick to this – I really want to read it, but I’m so rubbish with schedules and sticking to challenges! 🙂
Jun 20, 2017 @ 19:38:54
Meh, read at your own pace. Who cares, as long as you finish it 😛
Knowing Laura, she’ll finish it more than a month in advance anyway.
Jun 21, 2017 @ 09:05:30
🙂 Yeah, that’s the ultimate aim – as long as I finish it that’s all that matters!
Jun 21, 2017 @ 21:37:50
Oh god, I *never* stick to my read-along schedules. It’s just a way for people to feel like it’s a reasonable goal, and to keep me on track with posting. I’m already done Part I lol. Read at your own pace!
Jun 21, 2017 @ 21:40:23
See. LOL
Jun 21, 2017 @ 21:42:00
Yup! :)))))
Jun 21, 2017 @ 21:42:43
I will – and well done on getting ahead! :))
Jun 20, 2017 @ 19:59:35
This is such a nice idea, and the weekly thing is great.
Jun 21, 2017 @ 09:04:18
I think that might make it more manageable, as long as I can cope with sticking to a schedule!
Jun 20, 2017 @ 21:35:05
Good luck! I was intimidated reading W&P too, but I soon got swept up in it and it wasn’t nearly the endurance test I was expecting! I read the Edmonds translation and liked it, I’ve heard it described as scholarly but unimaginative, but with nothing to compare it to I found it suited me fine.
Jun 21, 2017 @ 09:03:39
The Edmonds version is calling a little, but I think I’m definitely going to read a bit of both and see which speaks to me most!
Jun 21, 2017 @ 04:05:56
I am happy you are participating. I have a boxed set, vol i and ii. I am listening to it via audible.com. I am also terrible at a schedule but with audible I can also listen while driving which gives me a few hrs out of the house. Will be fun to do this with other bookish friends. I might see if my books follow the audio too.
Jun 21, 2017 @ 05:35:37
I listened to Neville Jason reading the unabridged Maude translation via Audible and loved it. I walk to audiobooks, and it took me three months to listen to all of W&P. Enjoy!!!
Jun 21, 2017 @ 09:02:34
If I was into audio books, that might be an option! Maybe I should consider…
Jun 21, 2017 @ 09:03:00
Audio books seem to be a good option for some. I shall just try to stick to schedule as best I can! 🙂
Jun 21, 2017 @ 19:36:25
Brave! I do not dare…
Jun 21, 2017 @ 21:11:33
Keep your fingers crossed for me….
(and I’m sure you could read it if you tried!)
Jun 21, 2017 @ 21:38:52
I did not realize this was your year without reading commitments! I feel even more honoured now. And as per my comment above, the schedule is more of a posting schedule for me. You read however you like! I always start and finish early.
Jun 21, 2017 @ 21:42:26
I probably will go off schedule, but I shall do my best to finish – that’s the goal!
Jun 23, 2017 @ 07:22:23
How exciting! I read W&P on holiday last summer and could hardly bring myself to stop and eat it was so good. Don’t let the length put you off, it’s incredibly engaging, although you might need a crib sheet to keep abreast of character names/ relationships. Enjoy!
Jun 23, 2017 @ 09:58:05
I confess I might find I get ahead of the schedule if I get gripped – we shall see! And yes – a crib sheet sounds essential!
Jun 26, 2017 @ 01:18:56
Karen, you’re going to love this one. It’s my favorite book, to the point that I can no longer reread it (for a couple of years at least). As Sarah says, it’s hard to put down!
Jun 26, 2017 @ 09:46:09
That’s what I’m hoping – wish me luck! :))