Welcome to March’s reading of War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy. Things are heating up in 1806 Russia. Rhea and Shari have lots to discuss. They talk about the sad—and predictable—outcome at Austerlitz, Andrei’s injury and the ways it’s changed him… and ways it has not. They discuss Pierre’s sad situation: his bizarre dual with Dolokhov, and this newest way he’s come “under the influence” of a force greater than himself. Of course they talk about Dolokhov and Sonya, Denisov and Natasha, and how some characters seem to be maturing while others are regressing as they age. Finally, they spend time studying the writing in the scene of Natasha singing, looking for ways Tolstoy is telling the story “ekphrastically.”

Articles mentioned in this podcast:

* Ekphrastic Writing, Ekphrastic Life -Substack article written by Shari

* Ekphrastic Practice -Substack article written by Shari

Keep up with all R&W’s War and Peace reading on Rhea’s Substack by clicking on her “War & Peace” tab. You will find links to the famous bookmarks on this page as well.

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