Carissa Green Reads

Round about 150 years after its initial publication, it's become cliche to say you're reading/have read/plan to read "War and Peace." At about 1,100 pages (depending on the edition) it's a huge doorstop of a book. 

Well, I did it. I started a few days before Memorial Day weekend, and, at pace of 10-12 pages per day, I've finished now, on Labor Day morning. It's a do-able schedule, if you'd ever like to add this to your reading brag list. As I'm doing right now. Brag, Brag, Brag: I've read "War and Peace." 

Did I like it? Yes. Did I love it? I don't know yet. Is it a masterpiece, as so many have said over the years? Yes, I suppose. I actually preferred "Anna Karenina." The human stories in that novel had more pathos for me. Also, there was far less of Tolstoy's philosophical musing in that book. 

Speaking of Tolstoy's philosophical musings, the last 35 pages or so were quite the slog, because that's all they were - Tolstoy on history, human nature, and all that lot. The first 100 pages were also a challenge, as keeping the characters straight was tough. But eventually one catches on and develops a reading rhythm. 

Did I get every nuance, every reference? Certainly not. That's likely a lifetime project, in which I don't care to invest at this time. But I've read it. And no one can take that away from me. (Brag, brag, brag. I've read "War and Peace.")

-cg