Page Turners

Welcome to my first read of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

If you missed any of the previous chapters, please find them all linked here on the Page Turners podcast page.

Book One, Part One, Chapter 16

Nikolai exudes excessive youthful enthusiasm as a colonel emphatically pounds the table, urging for war. Marya Dmitrievna interrupts the thumping, while Natasha makes it clear that something more crucial than war exists: pudding!

Note: Most episodes will be published to Web-only, which means these will not be sent out by email daily. You can always use the RSS feed to get new episodes when they go live, of course.

About the French: All French parts are kept and read in French to fully retain the "original" experience. This edition (Maude) includes translations in English on the same page along with the French, which are not part of the audio.

I’m using the Oxford World’s Classics edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker).

You can also listen to this read-through on my YouTube Channel or via the Page Turners RSS feed using your favourite podcast app.

Subscribe for more updates and read along with us!

Tales from the Defrag is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to my first read of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

If you missed any of the previous chapters, please find them all linked here on the Page Turners podcast page.

Book One, Part One, Chapter 15

We observe the extravagant festivities in honor of Natasha and her mother's name-day. We encounter the formidable Marya Dmitrievna and the self-centered Berg. The formidable dragon lavishes attention on Natasha and shares her candid thoughts with Pierre.

Note: Most episodes will be published to Web-only, which means these will not be sent out by email daily. You can always use the RSS feed to get new episodes when they go live, of course.

About the French: All French parts are kept and read in French to fully retain the "original" experience. This edition (Maude) includes translations in English on the same page along with the French, which are not part of the audio.

I’m using the Oxford World’s Classics edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker).

You can also listen to this read-through on my YouTube Channel or via the Page Turners RSS feed using your favourite podcast app.

Subscribe for more updates and read along with us!

Tales from the Defrag is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to my first read of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

If you missed any of the previous chapters, please find them all linked here on the Page Turners podcast page.

Book One, Part One, Chapter 14

Countess Rostova asks for money from her husband on behalf of her friend Anna Mikhailovna. He readily grants it, believing that "everything is possible."Despite the subtle manoeuvres and delicate manipulation, there exists a sincere tenderness among the husband, wife, and childhood friends.

Note: Most episodes will be published to Web-only, which means these will not be sent out by email daily. You can always use the RSS feed to get new episodes when they go live, of course.

About the French: All French parts are kept and read in French to fully retain the "original" experience. This edition (Maude) includes translations in English on the same page along with the French, which are not part of the audio.

I’m using the Oxford World’s Classics edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker).

You can also listen to this read-through on my YouTube Channel or via the Page Turners RSS feed using your favourite podcast app.

Subscribe for more updates and read along with us!

Tales from the Defrag is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to my first read of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

If you missed any of the previous chapters, please find them all linked here on the Page Turners podcast page.

Book One, Part One, Chapter 13

Prince Vasili has prohibited Pierre from visiting his father. Consequently, Pierre occupies himself by assuming the role of Napoleon in his room. During this time, he encounters Boris, whom he initially fails to identify but ultimately decides that they will be friends.

Note: Most episodes will be published to Web-only, which means these will not be sent out by email daily. You can always use the RSS feed to get new episodes when they go live, of course.

About the French: All French parts are kept and read in French to fully retain the "original" experience. This edition (Maude) includes translations in English on the same page along with the French, which are not part of the audio.

I’m using the Oxford World’s Classics edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker).

You can also listen to this read-through on my YouTube Channel or via the Page Turners RSS feed using your favourite podcast app.

Subscribe for more updates and read along with us!

Tales from the Defrag is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to my first read of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

If you missed any of the previous chapters, please find them all linked here on the Page Turners podcast page.

Book One, Part One, Chapter 12

Anna Mikhailovna delivers a masterful performance in her endeavor to gain access to the ailing Count Bezukhov. Prince Vasili serves as the obstacle blocking her path, but the lingering question is: for how much longer? Additionally, is the conniving Vasili Kuragin also preventing Pierre from reaching his father's bedside?

Note: Most episodes will be published to Web-only, which means these will not be sent out by email daily. You can always use the RSS feed to get new episodes when they go live, of course.

About the French: All French parts are kept and read in French to fully retain the "original" experience. This edition (Maude) includes translations in English on the same page along with the French, which are not part of the audio.

I’m using the Oxford World’s Classics edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker).

You can also listen to this read-through on my YouTube Channel or via the Page Turners RSS feed using your favourite podcast app.

Subscribe for more updates and read along with us!

Tales from the Defrag is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to my first read of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

If you missed any of the previous chapters, please find them all linked here on the Page Turners podcast page.

Note: Most episodes will be published to Web-only, which means these will not be sent out by email since I don’t want to spam you all daily. You can always use the RSS feed to get new episodes when they go live, of course. I am contemplating sending out a summary email each Sunday with the released episodes if that is something people would find helpful. Let me know!

Book One, Part One, Chapter 11

In the drawing-room, the countess engages in a private conversation with her longtime friend, Anna Mikhailovna. Boris's mother appears poised to extract some financial assistance from her companion and has her sights set on Count Bezukhov's wealth. Meanwhile, Vera fails to endear herself to anyone, finding herself uninvolved in both adult and children's circles.

If you want to read along, I’m using the Oxford World’s Classics edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker).

You can also listen to this read-through on my YouTube Channel or via the Page Turners RSS feed using your favourite podcast app.

Subscribe for more updates and read along with us!

Tales from the Defrag is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to my first read of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

If you missed any of the previous chapters, please find them all linked here on the Page Turners podcast page.

Note: Most episodes will be published to Web-only, which means these will not be sent out by email since I don’t want to spam you all with daily e-mail. You can always use the RSS feed to get new episodes when they go live, of course. I am contemplating sending out a summary email each Sunday with the released episodes if that is something people would find helpful. Let me know!

Book One, Part One, Chapter 10

Here are two contrasting couples: Nikolai and Sonya share a deeply sincere love, while Natasha, filled with dreams and playfulness, plants a kiss on the composed and careful Boris, ensuring a hesitant commitment to propose in four years.

If you want to read along, I’m using the Oxford World’s Classics edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker).

You can also listen to this read-through on my YouTube Channel or via the Page Turners RSS feed using your favourite podcast app.

Subscribe for more updates and read along with us!

Tales from the Defrag is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to my first read of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

If you missed any of the previous chapters, please find them all linked here on the Page Turners podcast page.

Note: Most episodes will be published to Web-only, which means these will not be sent out by email as I do not want to spam you all with daily e-mails. You can always use the RSS feed to get new episodes when they go live, of course. I am contemplating sending out a summary email each Sunday with the released episodes if that is something people would find helpful. Let me know!

Book One, Part One, Chapter 9

We learn that Nikolai and Sonya are "kissing cousins", and that he heads to war not out of friendship but because he feels it is his vocation. We also hear about the contrasting parenting styles of the Rostovs towards their two daughters—one disciplined, the other indulged.

If you want to read along, I’m using the Oxford World’s Classics edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker).

You can also listen to this read-through on my YouTube Channel or via the Page Turners RSS feed using your favourite podcast app.

Subscribe for more updates and read along with us!

Tales from the Defrag is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to my first read of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

If you missed any of the previous chapters, please find them all linked here on the Page Turners podcast page.

Book One, Part One, Chapter 8

We meet the younger generation, Natasha, Boris, Nikolai and Sonya.

If you want to read along, I’m using the Oxford World’s Classics edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker).

You can also listen to this read-through on my YouTube Channel or via the Page Turners RSS feed using your favourite podcast app.

Subscribe for more updates and read along with us!

Tales from the Defrag is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to my first read of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

If you missed any of the previous chapters, please find them all linked here on the Page Turners podcast page.

Book One, Part One, Chapter 7

On the name-day of Countess Rostova and her daughter Natasha, Anna Mikhailovna pays a visit to the Rostovs in Moscow. During the meeting, it is revealed that Anatole's actions at the party resulted in both him and Pierre being expelled from Petersburg. The discussion then shifts to Pierre's ailing father and the substantial inheritance he is set to bequeath to his family members.

If you want to read along, I’m using the Oxford World’s Classics edition (translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, edited by Amy Mandelker).

You can also listen to this read-through on my YouTube Channel or via the Page Turners RSS feed using your favourite podcast app.

Subscribe for more updates and read along with us!

Tales from the Defrag is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.