angiebabble is way behind on her life list.
Untitled
2 months ago
I started this yesterday, and am about 20 pages in so far. Good stuff so far. Just becoming familiar with the characters.
How to read War & Peace
It made me
enlightened 
"Even as a Literature major, I have never been as struck by the genius of written language as much as throughout my reading of this novel."
How I did it: Luckily, I had the opportunity to read the novel in a class on The Great Novel, ensuring that I would stick to a steady reading pace. My class read a little over 200 pages most weeks, although some were heavier reading weeks than this.
Lessons & tips: Make sure you know the characters' multiple names, so you don't get confused or find that you have to flip back through and try to figure out who's who.
Find one character you're very passionate about (for me this was actually the narrator, although that's the lit major in me coming through) and allow their story line to pull you through the events and characters' stories you might not find as compelling.
Review a tiny bit of history about Napoleon and the invasion of Russia; it is rare for a historic figure to be a central character in a work of fiction for obvious character development constraints, so notice and appreciate the fusion of the two.
Resources: wikipedia has a decent main character list and character web of relation.
librivox.org has many of the chapter recorded online that you can listen to for free. If you're struggling with the reading, following along in the text as you listen to these files can be just the push you need.
People doing this are also doing these things:
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Untitled
20 months ago
I have had the book sitting on my shelf for over a month and a half now. It just looks intimidating.
judkins is working
3 & 1/2 months!
21 months ago
I started this in November, and figured it would take 4 months! So I finished it ahead of schedule!
I enjoyed the book quite a lot, although I have to admit the last 60 pages were not the best. It is more of a phylosophical discussion of the nature of historical writting and free will relating to power. Very dry reading, and rather difficult concepts. Instead, I wanted to read about what became of the characters later on, until they died. He never tells us about Boris and Julie, we never learn what becomes of Denislov (I wanted him to die in the war, but no luck), and I’m not so certain Anotole died – his leg was amputated, and he had it held up so he could look at it while he whimpered, but he could have survived.
There are scenes in this book that will stick with me forever. Well worth the months….
zeplin912 It's party time:)
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22 months ago
Hmm, I’m starting over with some new ideas/techniques to understand and remember it better. Freaking over 1,000 pages in three months or so, I should do it.
judkins is working
800 pages in
22 months ago
I have a meer 550 pages left!
Napoleon is pressing on to Moscow.
Old prince Bolkonski has just died.
Petya is joining the war (even though he’s only 14).
Natasha Rostov has realized that Pierre loves her. Pierre realizes that he must never visit the Rostovs again because he doesn’t love his unfaithful wife Helene.
Prince Andrew has managed to submerse himself in the war, and successfully been able to stop thinking about his betrayal from Natasha, whom he had been betrothed to.
Nicholas Rostov has captured a French officer, but has realized there is no real glory in combat.
Kutuzov has been made comander of the Russian army, but he will not succeed in uniting the separated Russian forces. Ironically, this will ensure the defeat of Napoleon.
There is a lot going on, and I am anxious to see how it all comes out!
bestfriendthemom is cleaning the moss off of her roof
Very dull.
2 years ago
In the book,the listing of relations and connections for political and career advancement goes on and on. It’s about as interesting as the bible.. those books that say who begat who. I never got attached to any characterIf you want to read something interesting by Tolstoy, read Anna Karinina.
judkins is working
Started
2 years ago
I started reading this 3 weeks ago (roughly), and I’m 250 pages in.
Calculating what I’m going to have for “free” (reading) time, I am thinking I’ll finish this book in February! As long as I stick to it.
Actually, that shouldn’t be too hard. This really is a good book.
zeplin912 It's party time:)
Untitled
2 years ago
Yeah I’m about halfway done.. Can’t wait til I’m through, though I do regret being so young reading it, since it’s apparently one of the greatest books ever made and I may not understand everything in it. I’ll definitely read it again, though. :]
Untitled
2 years ago
Ok, so I started over and reread the first chapter last night.
I’m going to put a big piece of paper on my wall so I can write people names on it, and draw the links between them, just to help me remember who’s who.
