Hosted by My Friend Amy and Iris On Books
Reading Update: So I originally said I would read a chapter a day for 21 days, thus leaving me sufficient time to digest and plan a nice write-up for today. What actually happened? I read two chapters in the beginning of February and then everything else last night, cramming names into my already fried brain. I found this section very overwhelming but it partly was my fault for putting it off for so long. I will try to be better for the March section.
Saying that, I'm not sure this section would have worked that much for me anyway as it was very heavy on the "war" part, focusing exclusively on the Russian army's travails against Napoleon's army in 1805. I have vague memories of studying this in school but that was only the big details. Tolstoy is definitely putting in a lot of other details. The main character I noticed was Prince Andrei, also known as Bolkonsky (why yes I was confused the first few times it switched between those names for him). There is also Prince Nikolai Rostov, Denisov, and Tushin, although I'm pretty confused as to their position in the army (there are generals and adjutants it seems mostly?) I feel very overwhelmed but am trying to just sit back and enjoy the story, knowing that I will not be able to absorb everything on first read.
Looking forward to the next section (Volume I, Part Three), which shifts back to Russia and features some of the female characters. As I tend to prefer stories about women, I am hoping this section will appeal more to me. I will also try to keep notes as I read, especially if anything stands out to me.
Are you participating in the readalong? How is it going for you? What are your thoughts on this section?
I have never read this book though I remember watching the movie in college (not sure I finished). I think it is fantastic that you are participating in the readalong.
ReplyDeleteI am behind on my own goals for reading Les Miserables though it is starting to pick up (we are finally introduced to Fantine and I am enjoying getting to know her backstory).
Good luck with the read-a-long and I hope that you find the next section more to your liking.
Yay for Les Mis picking up-I've been intimidated by that book but knowing that you're reading it and a friend IRL read it, makes it seem more manageable. Maybe a goal for next year?
DeleteI am impressed. I never read this in college, though I did take a Russian lit course. I remember that all the names and nicknames and patronymics were confusing at times.
ReplyDeleteThey're so confusing! I'm trying to just go with it but that's not really my personality so it's hard.
DeleteJust hearing the name of this book makes me shudder. Hats off to you for reading it.
ReplyDeleteI'm really hopeful that part 3 will be interesting as it looks to focus more on society, which is one of my loves in books.
Deletelol I totally crammed too! I was like..how does this happen...
ReplyDeleteI felt so bad and like I'm not giving Tolstoy his proper due but I don't think the war sections would have worked for me anyway so...
DeleteI'm finding remembering the names of the characters and their positions in the army confusing too. I hope that's something that will get easier as we get further into the book.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to believe it will become easier but I'm not holding out hope-there's just *SO* many people!
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