Well, today is the day we officially get going with our reading of “War and Peace”, but I have to confess that I’ve been dipping my toe in already. I decided to read the first few chapters (they’re short!) of each of my editions to see which one I would read.
The translations I have, as I mentioned, are by the Maudes and Rosemary Edmonds, and to be honest there isn’t much to choose between them. The French sections are rendered in English, which is a relief to me as I can’t read in French and I don’t want to have to keep checking notes – I want to go with the flow and just immerse myself.
And so far, both versions seem very readable; several of the major characters have already made an entrance; and I’m feeling a little more confident about coping with the length as I seem to have read through these parts quite quickly.
So it may come down to something as simple as the physical ease of reading the book; because it *is* big, and the little hardback Maude I have flops open quite nicely, and the paper is very thin India paper, so it’s really manageable. That may be the decider – I’ll let you know in the next update! 🙂
Onward and upward!
madamebibilophile
Jul 03, 2017 @ 06:49:29
Good luck! I wish you many happy hours reading ahead 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 09:04:36
Thank you – and yes, I think there will be many hours involved!
heavenali
Jul 03, 2017 @ 07:02:53
Good luck, really hope you enjoy your War and Peace reading. Ease if handling would definitely sway me – I have come to dislike fighting with large books. (I found handling The Ministry of Utmost Happiness hardback recently pretty difficult).
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 09:04:18
Thank you! Yes, comfort of reading is important – big hardbacks can be a problem, but also older paperbacks with smaller type and stiff spines. The problems of the bibliophile!
Resh Susan @ The Book Satchel
Jul 03, 2017 @ 07:20:51
Good luck. Hope you enjoy the Tolstoy magic in this one too
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 09:03:33
Thank you! I’m sure I will – it’s very engaging so far!
lauratfrey
Jul 03, 2017 @ 07:25:31
I’m going back and fourth between two translations too. At first, I preferred Maude, but now that I’m in the first “war” part, the P&V suites me better. I’m basically reading everything twice 🤣
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 09:03:16
I do like the Maudes I confess, but I have hit a small snag which could become a bigger snag – more of that in a later post!
travellinpenguin
Jul 03, 2017 @ 07:29:33
I am about to begin the audio version tonight or tomorrow. I have downloaded parts I and II. So many parts !! Looking forward to it. Here we go…..whee………………………………..!!!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 09:02:42
:))) Indeed! Let’s get to it!
JacquiWine
Jul 03, 2017 @ 07:38:28
The physical ease of reading the book would be a factor for me too. I’m not very fond of hardbacks or thick paperbacks in general as the mere act of holding them up puts too much stain on my upper back muscles! Anyway, I hope you enjoy the book whichever translation you decide to read. 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 09:01:30
No, I agree – if the book is a strain physically it’s distracting and as I get older I’m less tolerant of small type too! I’m sure whichever I go with will be fine, though! 🙂
argumentativeoldgit (Himadri)
Jul 03, 2017 @ 08:26:45
The Rosemary Edmonds version was the one I read first, and I feel a nostalgic tie with that one. I still remember buying the two Penguin Classics volumes shortly after BBC broadcast its serialisation with Antony Hopkins as Pierre. Volume One, as in your picture, featured Alan Dobie as Prince Andrey on the cover, and Volume Two featured Morag Hood as Natasha.
It was one of the happiest reading experiences of my life, and it’s a book I’m always keen to revisit. I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts on it.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 09:02:07
The Edmonds does read very nicely – I’m still having trouble deciding which to go for!
argumentativeoldgit (Himadri)
Jul 03, 2017 @ 08:31:14
Incidentally, I have the most recent Penguin Classics translation, the one by Anthony Briggs, lined up for my next reading.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 09:02:25
I’ll be interested to hear what you think about this, as I have seen mixed responses to it!
Jonathan
Jul 03, 2017 @ 09:30:39
I still haven’t got round to W&P yet. People usually say it’s a great read and of course it’s a classic. Is this your first time?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 10:20:12
Indeed it is – hence the Newbies tag!
Jane @ Beyond Eden Rock
Jul 03, 2017 @ 12:14:40
I’m reading the Maudes, because it’s my favourite of my two translations, by a very small margin, and because my elderly hardback edition feels right. The short chapters are helpful, and I hope they will continue to be so for both of us.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 14:37:25
Yes, the shortness of the chapters is a positive bonus – I feel I can dip in quite comfortably which is working well for me so far. As for the Maudes, I do love their translation but I may have an issue -more later!
lauratfrey
Jul 03, 2017 @ 15:28:24
I think I’ve discovered a typo in my Maude edition!! It’s in a French word. The French is where I’m noticing the most difference in translation.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 15:49:52
Oh dear! My Maudes has hardly any French (which is a relief as I haven’t done much with French since school). Interesting that that’s where you’re seeing the difference.
elisabethm
Jul 03, 2017 @ 20:08:18
Good luck 🍀 And couldn’t you keep one copy by your bedside and the other in your bag, and alternate between translations? There shouldn’t be that much difference, and if both are readable..
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 03, 2017 @ 21:51:15
Excellent plan!
chrisharding53
Jul 04, 2017 @ 09:31:36
I do hope you enjoy it. I remember loving it when I read it, many years ago, Like Himadri, I have the old Penguin version, printed to coincide with an excellent BBC serialisaion which starred the young Anthony Hopkins as Pierre. Maybe it;s time to read it again.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 04, 2017 @ 14:36:58
I’m liking what I’ve read so far very much, and the Penguin version may well be the one for me!
Liz Dexter
Jul 04, 2017 @ 10:48:28
Go go go! You can do it (so we don’t have to) …
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 04, 2017 @ 14:36:27
Lol! I’m doing ok so far – fingers crossed!
Sarah
Jul 05, 2017 @ 10:19:18
Good luck! It is daunting starting out, but, honestly, you are in for such a treat.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 05, 2017 @ 11:45:00
🙂 I think so – I’m enjoying it so far!
Max Cairnduff
Jul 05, 2017 @ 12:10:43
I read the Maudes recently (shame I’ve not got up my comparative translations post yet, I’ll try to later this month). It is useful to know when characters are speaking French because Tolstoy uses use of French as a comment on character, but actually reading French then reading translations in a footnote is a pain.
Good luck!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 05, 2017 @ 16:01:44
Thank you! I do like the Maudes and I can’t handle the French and then footnotes – but I think I will be moving away from them for perhaps a minor reason, but one that would cause me a problem long-term!
Steerforth
Jul 06, 2017 @ 10:37:28
My wife’s grandfather read it in his 90s, so it’s never too late. I haven’t taken the plunge yet, so I shall wait to see how you got on.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 06, 2017 @ 11:46:51
So far so good – and that’s very encouraging! 🙂
Kat
Jul 10, 2017 @ 03:20:48
I love both the Maude and the Edmonds! You’re right, there isn’t much to choose between: they’re both excellent. I hope you enjoy it. Maybe i’ll get mine out and sneak in a couple of chapters. 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 10, 2017 @ 09:27:17
I’m loving it very much so far – Tolstoy really is a fabulous writer! I can see how it’s a book you would return to time after time…