Posted on 01/19/2016 7:28:40 AM PST by C19fan
The opening scene of War and Peace, the first two hours of which screened on A&E, Lifetime, and History Channel on Monday night, was specifically constructed with the purpose of allaying fears that the screen version would not be faithful to Leo Tolstoy’s 1800-page magnum opus.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedailybeast.com ...
If the series is faithful to the book it will be a great cure for insomnia.
I read the Classic Comic book version. Does that count?
Actually it isn’t bad or boring at all in Russian - its just the horrible Constance Garnet English translation. Same for any piece of Russian literature she got her mitts on.
However, I do not like it when someone takes it upon himself to "improve" on a great work of literature.
Davis is quite right when he argues that the incestuous affair—which is presented as rumor in the book—needs to be shown explicitly in a modern screen adaptation of the novel.
I haven't seen the production, but I doubt it.
Tolstoy described Helene perfectly. She is the quintessence of a beautiful sociopath (of whom I have had my fill in my own personal life), and Tolstoy's description does not need to be any more explicit.
You know, Tolstoy originally wanted to name the book “War, What Is It Good For”.
**** “If the series is faithful to the book it will be a great cure for insomnia” ****
Hope in this telling there is a least a Moose and Squirrel
I read the Pevear/Volokhonsky version a year or two ago. Loved it. First time I'd read an unabridged version. The only time I found it dull was when Tolstoy departed from the story to expound his theory of history. I loved the detailed inner lives of all the characters.
I DVR'd episode one of this new version but have not watched it yet. I was a little disappointed that Pierre does not appear to be as overweight as he was described in the novel.
The only film I have really liked of War and Peace is the Russian one. Everything in that film was from the novel and nothing was added. It is also one of the most jaw-droppingly spectacular films ever made. Unfortunately, all films of War and Peace cut most of Maria Bolkonsky's story.
Which translation did you read? It’s the all time greatest work of fiction imo.
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