Classics and the Western Canon discussion

This is the end! Well, except for the Epilogue, which we'll get to next week and which has a beautiful little love story in it. But oh, the part here where Pierre goes calling on Princess Marya! Such beautiful, restrained writing!

I started reading at the beginning of November so took a lot of reading for me to catch up. It's my third read of it so far and this time I read the Pevear translation. I've also read Briggs and Constantine. Briggs I find is much more fluid then Pevear. Though I am more partial to Pevears choice of words compared to Briggs, as Briggs seems to use more modern english which I don't much like. Constantines english is of the late aristocratic 1800's type, and I am a big fan of it. Many people harp on Constantine, but it's a fluid read, for sure, and makes for a more 'old fashioned' and comforting feeling. The issue is that the aforementioned has no notes. Pevears edition is annoted, as is the Briggs edition, but Pevear has much more notes. And the notes are very helpful. Things I'd never have noticed. Many bible quotes, but interesting ones. And general Russian type information that one would not know of unless one researched it.

Seems almost impossible to read such a book and not be a changed person.

I'm questioning if I'll read the epilogue, but I may leave it for an 'inbetween' read. For those that want a little additional information on the Napoleonic War, I suggest, though I have not read it myself, only reviews and a quick skim, but I suggest 'The Campaigns of Napoleon'. From what I've quickly read it's very well written. Excellent ratings. And... MAPS!!!! Yes, it has maps. : )

Ahhhhh, * sigh * ... My life for you, Tolstoy! Haha, great book and a greater book knowing that you were all reading at the same time!

I'm onto Anna Karenina, couple hundred pages into it so far. Third read. Pevear edition. Read Maude and Constantine. Both great reads.

* hugs all around *

Thanks for your post, Bedtime. I enjoyed it. Been traveling, so away from listening to W&P for a few days. Looking forward to getting back to some review listening -- but need to finish another (library) book by Colm Tóibín first.