Leo Tolstoy: an epic Google doodle for novelist of 'astonishing scope and vigour'

The Guardian ^ | 9/9/2014 | Alison Flood

[Savage Beast]

"almost none of them actually read it"

No doubt about that--

But if I hadn't read it, I would have missed one of the best experiences of my life.

Another was a guided trip through the National Museum in Athens.

And another was the Beyreuther Festspiel.

And another was a cruise up the Nile.

(And another was every sexual experience I have ever had (which would be too numerous to count!))

[Savage Beast]

That Russian version is very good, especially for a certain authenticity that it imparts, but it is not nearly as good as the BBC Anthony Hopkins version, which is a masterpiece in itself.

For those who want a wonderful experience--watch this made for TV version, and then read the book.

I only wish I could read it in Russian.

[Savage Beast]

I agree with you completely about Dostoevsky and The Brothers Karamazov. That is another unforgettable experience.

But I disagree with you about Tolstoy.

[Savage Beast]

" In the back of your mind you know these characters or their descendants and their world would be utterly destroyed in a few decades."

True. And this makes the scene in War and Peace in which Princess Maria is threatened by the revolt on her Smolensk estate even more frightening.

[Larry Lucido]

I still wonder how War and Peace would have turned out if he used the original title, War, What Is It Good For?

[Fightin Whitey]

I’m 56, and just learned I had never lived

That's right.

You might have worshipped and worked since you were 10, rode and ranged and labored and prayed, fought in battle and held dying comrades, married well and stuck to it, raised and loved and anguished over children, made and lost money, worried, wept, worked and prospered again, endured sickness, grief, short-lived triumph and shattering failure, and somehow hung on now to know what is real happiness, real wealth, real love, real faith.

But you ain't never lived, according to the house genius. You poor fool.

[Savage Beast]

Actually those are interesting questions.

I became acquainted with many literary classics by reading the Classic Comics as a child. It made me want to read the originals.

As for the Cliff Notes--some are pretty good, but some made me wonder if the writer had read the book or only the Classic Comic.

For that matter, if you've read it in translation, have you read it?

[Savage Beast]

I have the DVD too. It surprises me that so many have taken the time and made the effort to get the Russian version--but, on the other hand, this is Free Republic, where the brightest, keenest, deepest--and most truth seeking--minds come to meet.

(No wonder the mendacious and delusional are threatened by Free Republic!)

[Savage Beast]

Hey, Borges--this is interesting. I have recorded Eisenstein's Ivan the Terrible from my TV but haven't watched it yet. Your remarks have made me want to watch it even more. Do you have any other observations about it?

[Borges]

I haven’t seen them in a long time but that is how they are understood today by most critics. Ivan himself being a paranoid Stalin figure.

[Savage Beast]

Thanks, Borges. The entire movie is spooky. My wife won’t watch it with me because it creeps her out. It’ll mean much more now that you’ve given me this bit of insight. ~S

[Savage Beast]

On the strength of your insight my wife has said: "Well I don't know if that will help me get through it, but I'll try."

Maybe you should be a marriage counselor.

[Gefn]

I like to think Levin and Kitty lived a long happy life together, had children, ( well, kitty does have a child in an awesome scene) and grandchildren.

I once read somewhere that It was supposed to be Levin’s book rather than Anna’s, with Levin being the title character, but in the end, Anna gave out.

The other wonderful thing about that novel, one of the best opening lines ever. Right up there with “David Copperfield”, “Moby Dick”, and Genesis from the Old Testament, IMHO.

[Gefn]

I also feel like that when reading Tolstoy. He really understands women.

I understand he had a great marriage. Maybe that is why.

[nodumbblonde]

Or maybe he had a great marriage because he understood women. ;-)

Either way, we get to enjoy the benefits!