War and Peace was actually my first step into Russian literature with the Anthony Briggs translation. It's a book I haven't stopped thinking about since I read it and hope to reread it again soon. I was surprised that I kept up with the characters and names as well as I did, but reading a lot of high fantasy novels helped with that I think 😂
That’s pretty impressive that it was your first Russian classic! And I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed Briggs’ translation! I think each translator has some loyal followers and the translation makes a huge difference in your reading experience. High fantasy would definitely prepare you for the huge cast of characters 😂
This has been very insightful... Thank you for taking out time and making a precise and very informative video for those of us who are wanting to start war and peace ... Thanks a lot 🤗
I have just started the book, so your comments are valuable. I am listening to the audiobook as I walk and I have already realised that I may well need a character / family list to help me stay clear. I am also considering getting a print copy to read sections to enrich the experience more.
O. M. G!! I just finished Tolstoys Resurrection!! I’m just speechless. What a magnificent book. If you haven’t read it, please do. I really appreciate Tolstoy more than Dostoyevsky, I’m pretty sure. Anyway, the last chapter was brilliant and I’m going to go read it again. I’m just so in love with these characters. 🤞🏻🤠
I’m glad it was helpful! Stephanie and I are still working our way through, so feel free to jump in on the voxer group if you start anytime in the near future 😊
Love your channel. Just getting into classics after only reading Jane Austen and Anne of Green Gables. Would love videos on more of the larger classics to check out prior to reading.
Thank you! You started with some amazing classics! You might enjoy Little Women next if you haven’t read it yet! I really enjoyed making this video. I plan to make more as I read more intimidating books. I think the only other video I have in this vein so far is one about Charles Dickens.
Hey! I loved this! Could you maybe make one similar for crime and punishment? I want to get into Russian classics and these videos are just so helpful!
I've started the Brigg's translation and I'm glad you mentioned the soldier's dialogues because it wasn't sitting with very well. I know it's not too late to switch editions either.😊
Yes, you can definitely switch any time! Different translations work better for different people, so it's nice that we live in a day and age with so many options 😊
Great video! You would make a great teacher 😜 I completely agree about reading it With others! I took a Lit class and one of the books they assigned was w&p (the groan class wide that was heard 😂) but because we read and discussed it together it was so much better than when I read it the first time! I wish the codex cantina lived in my head so I could hear their commentary while I read certain things!
Haha thank you! I guess it’s good news for Claire that id make a good teacher 😂 Totally agree that community makes such a huge difference when reading a long, intimidating book like this. Man, having Codex Cantina in my head during readings would be amazing! They do such an amazing job at explaining things and exploring themes and topics.
Oh, yes, there are many! Translated classics often have a plethora of translators, which is why I recommend trying a different translation if you’re having a hard time with a book. It makes a lot of difference!
It's a massive book to digest. Especially all the names, many I find hard to pronounce, let alone know how they sound. If you want to try improve your memory, this book will challenge you.
Yes, it's a lot! Having a character guide definitely helps, as does having an audiobook so you can hear correct pronunciations. But even with all that, it's still challenging for sure!
I just bought 2 beautiful volumes of War & Peace and I'm kinda scared to read it haha. I've read several Tolstoy novels and other russian ones by Dostoievski, Turgueniev etc but this one always scared me.
I was the same way with War and Peace! Hopefully this video gave you a better idea of what to expect. It didn’t end up being as scary as I thought it would be.
P@v was a struggle. Briggs is great. A superfind is Alexander Scourby reading on TH-cam. His voice is perfect and sonorous and pronunciation perfect. While Audio has a screaming madman with blackboard screeching voice. I think he is reading Maudes
Thanks for the Alexander Scourby recommendation! I think I only read War and Peace physically, but it's good to have that resource if I decide to reread at some point 😊
I'm starting it. I don't feel intimidated because I work with books every day that being said I have read Les Miserables which is harder text wise. If you havnt yet done that one, it's a must. The best version a historical saga is to have a list of historical events that happened in the time the story is set however...I still believe you need to know your history. If you are starting a great work of literature, don't feel intimidated. It's just the hype and the stereotype that the literature world has attached to it. Enjoy it. Disect it.
I read Les Miserables in the summer of 2021 and absolutely loved it! You're so right that sometimes we get intimidated by books because the literature world has stereotyped them as difficult. However, I would agree that both War and Peace and Les Miserables were difficult (at least for myself personally). But that doesn't mean they're not worth reading! This video isn't intended to discourage people from reading War and Peace, but rather to give them some helpful tips on what to expect and how to succeed if they're having a hard time with it😊
@@beautifulminutiae Yes he especially liked Hugo's description of the Battle of Waterloo. W&P has the famous account of the Battle of Borodino. fwiw Anna Karenina was partially inspired by Madame Bovary.
I'm 600 pages in and gotta admit I think it's bad. Plot had potential but instead of sticking to a tight engaging plot he just goes on on and on about endless dinner parties and who's sitting where and choosing a dress and who's dating who. I also noticed his great comical writing in the beginning which I loved stopped, maybe because it first got mixed reviews in the beginning as it was being published as a serial.
I agree that there is certainly some padding in it. Ultimately, I’m very glad I read it and definitely had an emotional attachment to some of the characters, but it’s far from my favorite Tolstoy. I hope it redeems itself for you if you complete it!
There are parts of W&P where Tolstoy gets as bad as Ayn Rand with outright preachiness, which is in my view pretty typical of 19 th century skepticism, and not particularly deep. Just annoying.
That’s true, certain authors can certainly give off preachiness. I find that to be much more of an issue with modern writers. I feel like so many authors set out to make a point and writing a good story is secondary. But maybe that’s just my personal preference speaking 😊
This was so good! I wish I had had this video when I read War and Peace. Buddy reading it was the best help too. I agree!
Thank you! Buddy reading always helps me get through intimidating books!
War and Peace was actually my first step into Russian literature with the Anthony Briggs translation. It's a book I haven't stopped thinking about since I read it and hope to reread it again soon. I was surprised that I kept up with the characters and names as well as I did, but reading a lot of high fantasy novels helped with that I think 😂
That’s pretty impressive that it was your first Russian classic! And I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed Briggs’ translation! I think each translator has some loyal followers and the translation makes a huge difference in your reading experience. High fantasy would definitely prepare you for the huge cast of characters 😂
Really enjoyed this, I am just on the cusp of starting the book, so you gave me some great tips. Thank you!
Oh, I’m so glad it was helpful 😊
woohoo you are moving along! I agree with so much of this and it could be applied to any long and challenging book!
I agree! I’m sure you know that well as you’re going through Les Mis 😉
This has been very insightful... Thank you for taking out time and making a precise and very informative video for those of us who are wanting to start war and peace ... Thanks a lot 🤗
I’m so glad it was so helpful! Big classics can be a bit less intimidating if you know what to expect going in 😊
Yes to all of this!!! Great discussion! Buddy reading it with you has been so fun, and it has definitely helped me push through the slower parts. ❤❤❤
Yes, I’ve loved reading it with you! It’s helped so much ❤️
I have just started the book, so your comments are valuable. I am listening to the audiobook as I walk and I have already realised that I may well need a character / family list to help me stay clear. I am also considering getting a print copy to read sections to enrich the experience more.
I'm so glad this was helpful for you! Definitely recommend a character list!
O. M. G!! I just finished Tolstoys Resurrection!! I’m just speechless. What a magnificent book. If you haven’t read it, please do. I really appreciate Tolstoy more than Dostoyevsky, I’m pretty sure. Anyway, the last chapter was brilliant and I’m going to go read it again. I’m just so in love with these characters. 🤞🏻🤠
I haven’t read Resurrection! I’ll have to look into that one. I absolutely love Tolstoy, but so far, Dostoyevsky is my favorite Russian author 😊
Very helpful video! You did a great job setting expectations when going into it. Definitely encouragement for me to actually get started! (:
I’m glad it was helpful! Stephanie and I are still working our way through, so feel free to jump in on the voxer group if you start anytime in the near future 😊
Love your channel. Just getting into classics after only reading Jane Austen and Anne of Green Gables. Would love videos on more of the larger classics to check out prior to reading.
Thank you! You started with some amazing classics! You might enjoy Little Women next if you haven’t read it yet! I really enjoyed making this video. I plan to make more as I read more intimidating books. I think the only other video I have in this vein so far is one about Charles Dickens.
Hey! I loved this! Could you maybe make one similar for crime and punishment? I want to get into Russian classics and these videos are just so helpful!
Thank you! I’d love to do one of these for Crime and Punishment, so thank you for the idea 😊
I've started the Brigg's translation and I'm glad you mentioned the soldier's dialogues because it wasn't sitting with very well. I know it's not too late to switch editions either.😊
Yes, you can definitely switch any time! Different translations work better for different people, so it's nice that we live in a day and age with so many options 😊
Great video! You would make a great teacher 😜
I completely agree about reading it With others! I took a Lit class and one of the books they assigned was w&p (the groan class wide that was heard 😂) but because we read and discussed it together it was so much better than when I read it the first time!
I wish the codex cantina lived in my head so I could hear their commentary while I read certain things!
Haha thank you! I guess it’s good news for Claire that id make a good teacher 😂 Totally agree that community makes such a huge difference when reading a long, intimidating book like this.
Man, having Codex Cantina in my head during readings would be amazing! They do such an amazing job at explaining things and exploring themes and topics.
This is my second time starting and I’m determined to finish for the first time 😩
You can do it!!!
I'm starting Anna Karenina in January and I'm a mixture of excitement and apprehension about it. Thanks for the good tips!😎📚
I loved Anna Karenina! It deals with some difficult stuff, but I love how Tolstoy writes emotion and spiritual journeys.
I had no idea that there were different translations of this book!
Oh, yes, there are many! Translated classics often have a plethora of translators, which is why I recommend trying a different translation if you’re having a hard time with a book. It makes a lot of difference!
It's a massive book to digest. Especially all the names, many I find hard to pronounce, let alone know how they sound. If you want to try improve your memory, this book will challenge you.
Yes, it's a lot! Having a character guide definitely helps, as does having an audiobook so you can hear correct pronunciations. But even with all that, it's still challenging for sure!
@@beautifulminutiae ah brilliant, I'll have to employ those tools next time I begin reading it. Invaluable advice, thankyou.
I just bought 2 beautiful volumes of War & Peace and I'm kinda scared to read it haha. I've read several Tolstoy novels and other russian ones by Dostoievski, Turgueniev etc but this one always scared me.
I was the same way with War and Peace! Hopefully this video gave you a better idea of what to expect. It didn’t end up being as scary as I thought it would be.
@@beautifulminutiae Yes, the video helped!
P@v was a struggle. Briggs is great. A superfind is Alexander Scourby reading on TH-cam. His voice is perfect and sonorous and pronunciation perfect. While Audio has a screaming madman with blackboard screeching voice. I think he is reading Maudes
Thanks for the Alexander Scourby recommendation! I think I only read War and Peace physically, but it's good to have that resource if I decide to reread at some point 😊
Excuse me I meant audible not Audio 😊
I'm starting it. I don't feel intimidated because I work with books every day that being said I have read Les Miserables which is harder text wise. If you havnt yet done that one, it's a must. The best version a historical saga is to have a list of historical events that happened in the time the story is set however...I still believe you need to know your history. If you are starting a great work of literature, don't feel intimidated. It's just the hype and the stereotype that the literature world has attached to it. Enjoy it. Disect it.
I read Les Miserables in the summer of 2021 and absolutely loved it! You're so right that sometimes we get intimidated by books because the literature world has stereotyped them as difficult. However, I would agree that both War and Peace and Les Miserables were difficult (at least for myself personally). But that doesn't mean they're not worth reading! This video isn't intended to discourage people from reading War and Peace, but rather to give them some helpful tips on what to expect and how to succeed if they're having a hard time with it😊
Tolstoy was inspired to write W&P by reading LM
@@Tolstoy111 Really? I hadn't heard that! How fascinating.
@@beautifulminutiae Yes he especially liked Hugo's description of the Battle of Waterloo. W&P has the famous account of the Battle of Borodino. fwiw Anna Karenina was partially inspired by Madame Bovary.
Exactly. Actually W& P reads right along. Briggs is very easy. The Mauds are good too
There are a lot of characters but really it’s about just 4 of them. Garnett makes Tolstoy and Dostoevsky sound like the same Victorian novelist. :)
I love Garnett's translations! I only chose Maude because Tolstoy approved their translation, so I was intrigued.
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I'm 600 pages in and gotta admit I think it's bad. Plot had potential but instead of sticking to a tight engaging plot he just goes on on and on about endless dinner parties and who's sitting where and choosing a dress and who's dating who. I also noticed his great comical writing in the beginning which I loved stopped, maybe because it first got mixed reviews in the beginning as it was being published as a serial.
I agree that there is certainly some padding in it. Ultimately, I’m very glad I read it and definitely had an emotional attachment to some of the characters, but it’s far from my favorite Tolstoy. I hope it redeems itself for you if you complete it!
👏👏👏
❤️❤️
There are parts of W&P where Tolstoy gets as bad as Ayn Rand with outright preachiness, which is in my view pretty typical of 19 th century skepticism, and not particularly deep. Just annoying.
That’s true, certain authors can certainly give off preachiness. I find that to be much more of an issue with modern writers. I feel like so many authors set out to make a point and writing a good story is secondary. But maybe that’s just my personal preference speaking 😊
@@beautifulminutiae And then a couple of pages later we are in the most lyrical description of woods and aspen and water and Spring.
me watching videos of people reading WAP instead of actually reading WAP💀
Totally valid 😂 It’s so intimidating! I hope my video made it a little less scary.