Week 1 19/9/14 – Book I Chap. I-XXI

[Ahtims]

Thank you :-)
Shall finish at a stretch, go through the thread and put in my two pennies worth.
So far, all characters are being depicted in shades of gray. My favourite so far is the 13 year old Natalie. A spirited youngster.

[Ahtims]

Chapter 10:
I wish I had a "chest in the passage" in my younger days :P

[Ahtims]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[
Pierre seems okay. But I was irritated by Prince Andrew - the way he treats his wife. She may be shallow and wool headed. If he wanted a more intellectual sort of a mate, he shouldnot have married her. Neglecting her or rather acting as if she doesnot matter a bit is getting on to my nerves.
He and his views on marriage- Pshaw.
Such men think women are just shallow creatures without half a brain of their own. (hide spoiler)]

[Ahtims]

Chapter 3
Same view as Rachel
(view spoiler)[
I too pitied the bear, though the part with bear and policeman being tied together was fun. But how did they manage it, or rather, how did the bear allow to be subjected to all this tomfoolery? Perhaps it was tranquilized.. (hide spoiler)]

[Ahtims]

Chapters 4 and 5
Nothing much for me to discuss in detail.
(view spoiler)[
Don't know much about the parenting differences between siblings. Yes, gender plays a huge role - or so I feel. I liked the sprightly Natasha a lot. Sophie seemed too cry babyish. I liked reading about the interactions between the youngsters in the house. Also vicariously enjoyed the grand party and dinner. (hide spoiler)]

[Ahtims]

Regarding all the other aspects discussed so far
I don't know who Rocky and Bullwinkle are - will google out
I can't recognize Russian or French accents - so playing with accents won't happen to me. I am mentally reading their lines in my boring Indian English accent :/
Be it Victorian, Russian or Indian, many marriages are without genuine love or passion, though I feel there is lots of respect and goodwill among partners, especially in the marriages I have witnessed.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Psmith wrote: "Thank you :-)
Shall finish at a stretch, go through the thread and put in my two pennies worth.
So far, all characters are being depicted in shades of gray. My favourite so far is the 13 year old ..."

Noooooooooooo! Not 50 Shade of Grey, sorry, it's a horrid book that I just couldn't stand. I'd rather take War and Peace over Shades of Grey. I would have never ever put the two together. Are you saying in that characters haven't evolved much since the 1860's?

I know that Natasha is going to be one of the main characters in the book. I wonder how this will unfold, who will she be paired up with.

Chapter 2,
(view spoiler)[ Remember this is in a time period where women were never allowed to vote and children and women were considered as property and at the whim of the man of the house. This is not a time in history to be a women. This is why Jane Austen's books focus so much about marriage and relationships. If you are a female this is all your world is about. If you didn't get one you'd be a spinster or end up in a brothel and catch the French disease. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3,
(view spoiler)[The bears were trained to wrestle and do tricks. It was very common in Russia. They are also smaller bears not the big Grizzly Bears and black bears I'm around. You wouldn't want to be walking around in my backwoods. Not only do you have to watch for bears but the wolves, coyotes, and cougars are around. The big watch is cougars. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 & 5,
(view spoiler)[ I feel bad for Sophie because everything is on her hands and will be. The pressure is on. I'd totally not like Natasha if I were around her. I'd think she was a spoiled brat that needs to be the center of attention, just another privileged spoiled mean girl. She knows how to work it and it's clear she is going to be using the art of seduction to get her way. Amazing how young girls learn that so quickly. Females do have an immense power over men. with that said, more than likely if I was in her situation, I'd behave like her to. ;) (hide spoiler)]

Oh my goodness, that would totally be funny to me to read this book in Indian English accent. LOL!

The evolution of marriage has really come a long way. It has made major leaps with women's rights. This has made the marriages shift, just take a look at the generations you know. Marriage between parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and great great grandparents are totally different. I remember seeing my grandmother slaving away over my grandfather and as a young child being raised in the late 70s and 80s I knew I didn't want that for me. A lot has to do with me being part of generation X being raised in America and part of the punk and post punk era.

During the time of this book is when arranged marriages were still popular. There is no way, no way, that would happen to me, ever. Some marriages worked out wonderful with that while others didn't so, I think what happens now versus then is apples and oranges and we are so lucky to be in the times we are, especially for females.

[Ahtims]

@Rachel, you can try Indian accent and have fun....:P
And I meant a totally different shade of grey, not the James one :P ;-)
Am finding this book more interesting than I thought it to be. So am happy.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Oh phew! Thank you! lol, I was like noooooooo. Not that.

I'm finding the book more interesting too. Mainly because the added accents. I will stick with the fun accents I've formed in my head. If I add Indian English accents I think I'd laugh way too much and not take the story seriously. ;) :P

[Srividya]

The best part about the book is the way in which Tolstoy has written it. You can actually imagine those scenes. For instance, when reading through the first chapter, I could actually imagine each character as they entered, as they spoke and Anna flitting around trying to get things happening or not happening, as the case may be.

Their expressions - whether the ardent and clumsy Pierre or the bored look on Prince Andrew or the am pretty as you please look on Andrew's wife or even the casual maybe vain yet not too vain look of Helene - Priceless in terms of writing.

Similarly, when the whole Dolokhov dare was happening, I could feel a thrill rush up my heart as if it was me on that window sill doing that foolish stunt.

@Smitha - I like my characters with loads of grey in them. I feel no one (even in real life) can be completely black or white. Therefore, when an author incorporates that into a story, I feel that he or she really does it justice.

@Rachel - LOL on the 50 shades remark.. You are traumatised like most of us that you see it everywhere eh? :P

[Ahtims]

Yes, Srividya. I agree with you on the grayness of characters. If a character is faulty white, I cannot empathize at all. I even feel a bit irked that they are too high up for us mortal folks, and feel very glad when they do something stupid. :P
What about the next installment. We create a separate thread?

[Srividya]

Yeah will create the thread today itself.

Sorry for the delay. I was just plain lazy yesterday to do anything :P :)

[Srividya]

Second week thread posted.. Sorry once again for the delay. Do post your opinions/comments for that section there :)

[Ahtims]

No worries, Srividya. You do a lot. I could have created one myself, but I thought better that same person continue so as to avoid future confusion.

[Srividya]

Thanks Smitha :)

[RachelvlehcaR]

Sri, I agree Tolstoy did a wonderful job in the setting of his book, the descriptions of characters and themes and style. I do feel myself in those settings too. I think that is why my mind created accents, lol. It was just taken away with the style and I enjoyed it and had fun with it. Honestly, he has great narration, point of view, and tone full of imagery. I can see why so many love this book. He nailed it and people should see the brilliance it takes when done correctly.

[Srividya]

Incidentally, as both of you were reading the free version, I decided to go ahead and read that one.. Makes it easier for discussions :)

[RachelvlehcaR]

I call it the dumbed down free version, lol. Welcome to the club.

[RachelvlehcaR]

I've found it flows nicer and easier. I was reading a few other versions and decided the dumbed down free version was best for me, lol.

Only thing better is if it fed me yummy truffles for every chapter I read.

[Srividya]

Hahahaha.. nice name. And thanks for the welcome ;)

The other one I was reading was also pretty good but I don't think it has all the details..Hmm not sure though.

[Ahtims]

Why Dumbed down?
Coz of the footnotes?
If so, I am glad for my miserly nature :-)

[RachelvlehcaR]

Yeah, the dumb downed version is a bit more flowery with details. Makes those of us that don't want to work for it get instant gratification.

Also, in case the spam police comes he can't nail us because we are still talking about the book. :P

I will start reading more of War and Peace tomorrow. It was nice to take a break.

[RachelvlehcaR]

It's dumbed down because it wasn't translated as well. If you read the Aylmer Maude (translator), Louise Maude (translator) version then you will noticed differences between this version and their version. I checked out the Maude translation version at the library and I tired of lugging around the book. I checked my kindle to see if I had it, I did the free version so I started reading it, re-reading and noticed some differences in the style of the wording. It kind of reminded me of kings James vs. standard version, not as drastic but that's why we have the common folk dumbed down version. I'm enjoying it and hey, what works, works!

[Srividya]

To be honest, I just read the foreword or at least some part of it from the free version yesterday. Yet to get into the story part, although I have read the first part twice already now.. so might not go into it in great detail.. Will simply skim through it for the details.

So will know more about the translation differences. It is wonderful reading the Maude translation..the language is perfect and creates a beautiful setting as well as pace. As long as the free version gives me that, will go ahead with it, else will switch back to the original and look at you two for more details :P :)

Am also planning to read War and Peace tomorrow as I need to finish the other pending books today.. Sigh too much to read and too little time!

[Ahtims]

Re re started. Finished 5 chapters,in the morning. Shall go through the chapter spoilers and contribute in the evening.

[Srividya]

As usual, I have too many books to finish. I don't know why I never start this one on an empty plate! Lol!

Nevertheless, I shall try and get to this on Sunday and make some progress! :D

[Jaya]

Just read two pages to kick-start it. And am juggling a few too many books as well :D
Still, hoping to stay on schedule!

[Ahtims]

Completed this much. And so far, it has been something like an introduction to characters and their circumstances.