tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post8141731138106680804..comments2024-03-26T23:41:10.319+00:00Comments on Authors Electric: A Reading of War and Peace by Peter LeylandKatherine Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17196712319655603442noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-20841483371953081452021-03-05T11:00:33.613+00:002021-03-05T11:00:33.613+00:00Thanks Peter - despite also having studied Russian...Thanks Peter - despite also having studied Russian at school I have never got round to War and Peace. I may be imagining this but I have a feeling I once saw a very long film of it (in 2 parts) that was made in Russian and perhaps dubbed into English. It was years and years ago when I was a student, so I may be thinking of something else! I find the prospect of keeping track of all the characters' names quite daunting, particularly now. Matterhorn is right!Cecilia Peartreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12653871639579934396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-43837010853022800172021-03-04T13:33:37.764+00:002021-03-04T13:33:37.764+00:00Thanks Reb and Kirsten. I feel I have achieved a k...Thanks Reb and Kirsten. I feel I have achieved a kind or reading Matterhorn, if that makes sense.Peter Leylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07717370262319438102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-59129105690836490742021-03-04T08:59:10.531+00:002021-03-04T08:59:10.531+00:00Hi Peter, thanks for the entertaining summary. I b...Hi Peter, thanks for the entertaining summary. I bought War and Peace when I had just joined a book club. It might have been a Dutch translation. I thought it was good value - - it was one of four books you got for free 😁 I never read it. I did start but I never made it through those first confusing and in my then young eyes, boring, chapters. I have no idea where it went. Thank you for wrapping g it up for me. Cheers Kirsten Betthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16550668028537655925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-83833548545338375672021-03-03T03:36:15.755+00:002021-03-03T03:36:15.755+00:00Thanks for the summary, Peter. I wish the book wer...Thanks for the summary, Peter. I wish the book weren't on my list of Books I'll Never Read. But there's no way not to admire Tolstoy's genius and artistry. With some books, by Dumas or Hugo, for instance, I'll settle for an abridged version. But with W&P I'm convinced that it's either nothing or all.Reb MacRathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03645014425062542505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-63522252844688300172021-03-02T20:48:38.484+00:002021-03-02T20:48:38.484+00:00Thanks Griselda - I don't remeber the 70s one ...Thanks Griselda - I don't remeber the 70s one not having a TV at the time but I did see the recent one and found it distinctly unmemorable, so much so that I couldn't and didn't relate it to my current reading of the novel at all. I had this idea that during a lockdown I needed some literature to sustain me so began War and Peace and my blog article is really about how it did that.<br /><br />Thanks also for your comment Eden. I don't think I'd have read it in any other circumstance than this enforced pandemic idleness!Peter Leylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07717370262319438102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-65335538958432602642021-03-02T18:09:32.794+00:002021-03-02T18:09:32.794+00:00Luckily I have read War and Peace, so enjoyed this...Luckily I have read War and Peace, so enjoyed this clear recap of the wonderful story without risking spoilers! I found it a much more satisfying read than Anna Karenina. I loved the huge canvas of the Napoleonic war, and the individual dramas unfolding in the four families (in all those balls and socialising, as you say). Natacha is an enchanting romantic heroine but there are so many other strong characters dealing with difficult family relationships... <br /><br />Did you ever see the outstanding BBC serialisation in the 1970s, with Anthony Hopkins as Pierre (sorry, can't help calling him that!)? It was the best thing the BBC has ever done (guess it might look dated now) and infinitely better than the more recent BBC 6 part serialisation about 2 years ago, with Lily James as Natasha and James Norton as Bolkonsky (though these actors did well). Fear I'm showing my age rather!Griselda Heppelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09207965148074302337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-62739513636106803992021-03-02T14:25:17.735+00:002021-03-02T14:25:17.735+00:00Hi Peter,
I've not read Tolstoy's book, ...Hi Peter, <br /><br />I've not read Tolstoy's book, seems daunting and would require some time investment, so thanks for providing a slice of the story here with your thoughts, <br />edenEden Bayleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08043540142363106345noreply@blogger.com