Penguin edition - Briggs translation - Black cover w/ chandelier:
Volume 2, Part V, pp 588-663, chapters 1-22
This concludes Volume 2.
Signet edition - Dunnigan translation - tan cover w/ flag:
Book 2, Part V, pp 618-695, chapters 1-22
This concludes Book 2.
Modern Library - Garnett translation - Olive cover w/ gold stripe:
Part Eight, pp 819-924, chapters 1-22
This concludes Part Eight.
Amazon edition - Maude translation - light blue cover:
Book Eight (1811-12), 870-976, chapters 1-22
This concludes Book Eight.
Last paragraph (basically, Pierre sees the Great Comet of 1812):
It was clear and frosty. Above the dirty, ill-lit streets, above the black roofs, stretched the dark starry sky. Only looking up at the sky did Pierre cease to feel how sordid and humiliating were all mundane things compared with the heights to which his soul had just been raised. At the entrance to the ArbĂĄt Square an immense expanse of dark starry sky presented itself to his eyes. Almost in the center of it, above the PrechĂstenka Boulevard, surrounded and sprinkled on all sides by stars but distinguished from them all by its nearness to the earth, its white light, and its long uplifted tail, shone the enormous and brilliant comet of 1812âthe comet which was said to portend all kinds of woes and the end of the world. In Pierre, however, that comet with its long luminous tail aroused no feeling of fear. On the contrary he gazed joyfully, his eyes moist with tears, at this bright comet which, having traveled in its orbit with inconceivable velocity through immeasurable space, seemed suddenlyâlike an arrow piercing the earthâto remain fixed in a chosen spot, vigorously holding its tail erect, shining and displaying its white light amid countless other scintillating stars. It seemed to Pierre that this comet fully responded to what was passing in his own softened and uplifted soul, now blossoming into a new life.
Your favorite female character is in all kinds of disaster. And the comet makes an appearanceâwhat do you suppose that forebodes?
And Pierre? Is he really gonna go there?
Since this is the week everyone should be reading this section Iâm hesitant to be more specific.
At the halfway mark in the book - what an entertaining classic soap opera. I am still trying to figure out if there is a female character for whom to cheer. Princess Marya continues to be a martyr or doormat for Daddy-dearestâs abuse. Helene is a well-heeled tramp. Natasha is flighty and takes immature drama-queen to an all new annoying high in this section. (I was glad to see her fickleness had some consequences.). Women like Mademoiselle Bourienne, Anna Pavlovna, or Marya Dmitriyevna are either too manipulating or pious. So, I am leaning towards âTeam Sonyaâ as Sonya seemingly comes across as the most level-headed human of them all. To that end, I hope we see her character further developed. Thoughts?
As for the Comet of 1812 (which actually showed up first in 1811), I hope for Pierreâs sake it does portend to happiness! However, this is a Russian classic so the odds are kind of against the happy ending.
So true about the women @Gabi_J. I am tentatively thinking itâs a product of the times and we simply may not get a strong, well-intentioned, respectable woman.
I might also be more inclined to think the comet portends ill. I find it a bit hard to think that Pierre is ever going to settle into any kind of lasting happiness. I mean, he had it, right? Wealth, house, wifeâŚand threw it all away for no particularly good reason. Well, I guess he still has some of it but he could have reacted in a more adult manner. We were told pretty specifically right from the beginning who he was and Iâm inclined to believe it with maybe a dash of hope for something better. [eternal optimist am I]
Someone mentioned earlier that Natasha did not seem her age - 20 at this point? I agree. Her flightiness seems much younger - 14 maybe? It will be interesting to see if this is the result of a very pampered life without consequences or her essential nature. Is she a parallel character to Pierre? Heedlessly jumping into situations then having to live with the consequences ?
Pierre and Tasha are definitely both flighty when it comes to their commitment to a decision or life choice. I do think one difference between Pierre and Tasha is that he seems to consider things more albeit perhaps with convoluted nonsensical reasoning. Also, he doesnât seem to be as self-centered as Natasha.
I donât know what direction the story will take but I canât imagine Andrei would have been happy being married to Natasha based simply on how he treated his first wife. Canât wait to see how things unfold.
Now that weâve reached the halfway point who here is surprised by how invested you are in the story/characters/history of W&P?
I have been walking around telling all my bookish friends how enjoyable this door stopper is. Despite the vast cast in the beginning, the main players have become easily recognizable and I canât believe how many times Iâve gone searching for historical explanation and perspective.
I agree @Anne_Glasgow - I am really surprised how engaged I am in the various charactersâ lives. Ditto being grateful for being encouraged to give W&P a chance, @kim.kovacs! Matter of fact, I am lining up the other classic clunkers that I have been hesitant to start. Bring âem on!!!
