Segments of an early version of War and Peace were originally published in The Russian Messenger between 1865 and 1867. I kind of like the idea of publishing a book piece by piece in a magazine. I guess it is not necessary with the modern printing press and publishing houses, but there is something to be said about reading a large book in monthly installments.
Which brings me to my first installment of War and Peace for the 2010 War and Peace reading New Years resolution. I am a month late with the January installment which may mean all of the installments will likely be a month late, or I may somehow get caught up on vacation or something. The original publishing took two years in The Russian Messenger, so I won’t feel too bad if we cannot get through it precisely in one calendar year. But don’t give up hope yet.
My initial impression is that it is an interesting but complicated book. I have had a hard time keeping all of the characters straight so I find myself highlighting passages, circling people’s names and taking notes in the margins of the book. My biggest nemesis to following the book is if I let days (or weeks) pass without reading. It is not a book to read and put on the shelf and then pick back up again. I am recommiting myself to at least five pages a night.
From wikipedia:
The novel tells the story of five aristocratic families — the Bezukhovs, the Bolkonskys, the Rostovs, the Kuragins and the Drubetskoys—and the entanglements of their personal lives with the history of 1805–1813, principally Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812. The Bezukhovs, while very rich, are a fragmented family as the old Count, Kirill Vladimirovich, has fathered dozens of illegitimate sons. The Bolkonskys are an old established and wealthy family based at Bald Hills. Old Prince Bolkonsky, Nikolai Andreevich, served as a general under Catherine the Great, in earlier wars. The Moscow Rostovs have many estates, but never enough cash. They are a closely knit, loving family who live for the moment regardless of their financial situation. The Kuragin family has three children, who are all of questionable character. The Drubetskoy family is of impoverished nobility, and consists of an elderly mother and her only son, Boris, whom she wishes to push up the career ladder.
War and Peace Character Map
The book opens with a soirée hosted by Anna Pavlona. Many of the books main characters are introduced at the gathering including Pierre, the “massively built, stout young man in spectacles” who is the (favorite) illegitimate son of the dying Count Bezuhov.
The soirée was pretty hard for me to follow as there were countless characters introduced all talking about foreign conversation topics. Even though translated, the mixture of French and Russian was confusing causing me to wonder if it would have been back then as well.
I found it interesting how Anna Pavlona managed the social gathering. I have found myself in similar host situations at shin-digs at our house where you try and introduce people you think may hit it off and make sure the conversation continues to flow. I have the sense that in the War and Peace days, the stakes for the host were much higher though.
What follows next is a scene almost straight out of the opening scene to the movie The Hangover where the young men are drunk and partaking in stupid dares. Pierre is involved in a prank to tie a sentury to a bear and throw them into a canal. He is sent to Moscow for his participation but it earns him the admiration of Count Rostov.
The next scene is the Rostov’s name day dinner where it was clear things are very orderly yet there is a sense the household is more jolly than stoic by Natasha’s impromptu question about what is for dessert in front of the entire dining room. I am interested to see the character development of Natasha as she seems free spirited, brave and naive.
I made a note about the behavior of Vera towards her sister, Natasha and others. Vera scolds her sister, “You always manage to do things just at the wrong moment. First you burst into the drawing-room so that every one was ashamed of you.” She continues, “And what sort of secrets can you have at your age, Natasha and Boris, and you two! –it’s all simply silly nonsense.” Natasha response includes a blow to Vera, “…your greatest delight is in getting other people into trouble.” Hmm, reminds me a bit of childhood.
I have the sense that Vera is one of those unhappy people who tries to rain on other happy people’s parades. Do you know any Vera’s in your life?
Next up was Pierre’s father’s death scene where it is very apparent how uncomfortable and unfamiliar Pierre is with the formality of the aristocratic society and customs. Luckily Anna Mikhailovna is there to show him exactly what to do. It was an interesting scene in that I found myself wondering if anyone, besides Pierre, will actually miss the Count or if everyone was there to get a shot at some of the inheritance.
The final scene is at the home of Prince Nikolai Bolkonskii (a.k.a. The King of Prussia) and Princess Marya. I immediately felt sorry for Princess Marya as her young life seemed so regimented and austere, but after her response to her friend, Julie’s letter, I lost sympathy for the poor girl. I mean really, “However painful it may be to me, if the Almighty should ever impose upon me the duties of a wife and mother, I shall try to fulfill them as faithfully as I can without disquieting myself by examining my feelings in regard to him whom He may give me for a husband.” I know, I know…it is another time and place but I have a hard time getting on board with that.
Part One ends with Prince Andrey ready for war, leaving his unfortunate, pregnant wife with his father and sister and a touching encounter between father and son. I really liked the following thought, “At moments of starting off and beginning a different life, persons given to deliberating on their actions are usually apt to be in a serious frame of mind. At such moments one reviews the past and forms plans for the future.”
How true! I find it interesting how you can go along in your normal day-to-day life and not ponder future plans, but at times of change, you really stop to think and make plans for the future.
—–
So, what did you think? Are you enjoying the book? I guess “enjoy” wouldn’t be the exact word I would use, but instead something like appreciating or learning. I sort of wish I had taken a Russian history class before embarking on this adventure, but alas, I will know more about Russian history after this project has concluded.
I am curious to hear your thoughts! Is anyone still reading?
Related posts:
- War and Peace It looks daunting so I think I need to recruit others to read it with me. Here is a thought....
- War and Peace Reading Plan Okay readers, here is the plan for War and Peace in 2010. Luckily the book has parts so if your...
- San Isidrio, World Peace Scholars & More Original Post Things continue to go well and we are still very busy. I apologize for the lack of blogs...
- Communism, Propoganda and a Relaxing Weekend The first museum where the Communist party was founded was at the actual location of the meeting. It was...
{ 1 comment }
Great summary… I am a bit behind, but have pushed this to the top of my “To Do” list to get caught up. I had read about 50% of the reading for the first month, and then returned that book to the library when my own book arrived from Amazon. What is interesting is that the two books were translated by different people and are quite different. My newer version, translated by Constance Garnett, is much easier to read and follow as she provides alot more detail about the characters. The initial version I was reading did not and it was difficult to keep the characters straight as I didn’t read consistently. So, I am rereading from the beginning and really enjoying it. I get a kick out of Anna Pavlovna referring to herself as a poor old invalid and later an “old maid” at the ripe old age of 40.
Comments on this entry are closed.