Written by Kimberly Field
I’ve always wanted to read War and Peace but never seemed able to find the time or the energy. I tried several times to read this lengthy tome written in 1869 by Leo Tolstoy, but the stress and anxiety of getting through so many pages made me break out in hives just picking the book up. If I had read it, I might have had the satisfaction of learning something about a great time long past. Also, I imagined what it would feel like being able to discuss and quote Tolstoy over port and cheese with well-read literary types.
Over the years I have kept putting it off until all I really want to know is what the book is all about. Maybe then I could at least bluff my way through a literary conversation and still enjoy the port and cheese. Then again, I may eat and drink more than converse.
One day not so long ago I was killing time at my neighborhood library when to my excitement I came across the 1956 Paramount movie version of War and Peace. I read the cover eagerly…starring Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Mel Ferrer. I love old movies and thought this was the answer to my prayers.
When I got home I tripped over myself in my rush for the DVD player. I put it on and sat back on the couch waiting for Audrey, Henry and Mel to bring Tolstoy to life.
Three hours and twenty-eight minutes later I wanted to hang myself from boredom. Who in their right mind would spend this much time watching a movie that was made over fifty years ago?. I wondered if the book was as drawn out as the movie. The sound quality was so terrible and the DVD skipped all over the place. In comparison the hives from actually reading the book might have been better than the migraine the movie gave me. Anyway, by the end I could have cared less about France, Russia, Napoleon, Natasha, Pierre or Prince Andrei! Oh Woe is thine who thinks that watching a few well-paid actors could do justice to a book the size of Tolstoy’s.
This War and Peace goal has since been crossed off my To-Do-Before-I-Die List, at least for the time being. But who knows maybe when I retire I might put it back on.. Of course, I may go blind reading it. Maybe I should be content with my decision to waive any intellectual conversation regarding this subject with literary types. I’m beginning to realize that sometimes a slight shift in a goal can be quite releasing.
Cozied up to a fireplace with a blanket draped across my legs reading a Jane Austen classic is just fine for me. I also have discovered that port and cheese go well with Jane too.
You didn’t honestly think I was going to let the port and cheese go, did you?
The most difficult thing – but essential one – is to love Life,
to love even while one suffers, because Life is all, Life is God,
and to love Life means to love God.
Tolstoy “WAR and PEACE”
Tags: Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Leo Tolstoy, Life's To Do LIst, Mel Ferrer, War and Peace
Great story, Kim! It is so telling of how we, as women, often set ourselves up — think that we need to do certain things (like read fancy books!) in order to “be better than.” I’m certain you can hold your own in a literary conversation – though I do understand a little of that fear. Port or no port, I say “go for it.” You are stronger than you think. Aren’t we all our worst critics, after all?
Thanks for sharing!
Love Jane Austen. Reading War and Peace has been on my list too- I’ve put it off several times. It seems like drudgery. I may have to cross it off as well…….. I don’t want to risk hives. I have very sensitive skin……
Hey girlfriend;
As always , you made me laugh with your witt and colourful insight. I think our goal-striving a.ka. the “To-Do-Before-I-Die List”, is part of our “coming of age” in our 40’s. I find myself doing the same thing demonstrated in my recent indulgence in and oogling of a sexy Burt Lancaster in his 1953 film, “From Here to Eternity”. Haha, too funny. Yes, I watched it for real! Guess, I won’t be watching “War and Peace” anytime soon! There’s port to be drank apparently!
Thanks for sharing and inviting your woman kin into your thoughts and realizations that we can and should let things go. It has made me realize that exploration of ourselves as women is a learning process and that we can be “imperfect” at anytime we damn well please and still be beautiful, intelligent and worthy! Thanks to you Kimerley, I’ve also decided in this moment that life without a “To-Do-Before-I-Die” list would be a life without direction and purpose.
Luv you. xoxo.
Dido Sister…Yawn Yawn…Well Said!!!!
I can suggest some more exciting books on your” To Do List”
Try …” St. John’s” in the”Battle of the Atlantic” or The book “The Enigma” a fascinating tale of a German Submarine in Newfoundland at Wartime (Excellent Drama)…Wine is optional!!hahh
SHicks
I’m not a women but I liked your story just the same.
Kimberly, that’s great. I love the idea that slightly shifting your goal can be releasing. I will keep that in mind for my long-term goals that are engraved in my brain.
I have started it several times and never made a big dent. It’s always in the bookshelf staring at me. I’m not ready to cross it off yet though.
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is my War and Peace.
Hey Kimberly,
Thanks for sharing your Imperfect dreams and goals. Maybe there is an audio version of War and Peace. Wonder what would go with that? Tequila and Advil?
Keep writing!!!!!
Great story mom, you are an amazing writter and i am really really excited about a piece of your work being published on this website.
Love you
I loved this piece. It’s just too funny…and so true! I read an abridged version of War and Peace, and I can promise you it wasn’t abridged enough! Booooring.
Now as for Jane Austen, I’ve read everything she’s written, and truly wish there was more to read. I hate to reach th eend of one of her novels. I’ve read every novel at least twice, and some, P&P, much more. I could go on and on about how current she is to me, because people never change. All of her characters pop up in real life (and even more often on the Internet.) One of my favorite quotes? Mr. Bennett in P&P: But for what do we live but to make sport for our neighbors and to laugh at them in our turn.
Pass the wine, please.
Is wine being served here? Yippee.
Kimberly, I loved this piece and could relate on so many levels. I also relate to the comments many have made about feeling the need to read certain books to somehow demonstrate that we are capable. For myself, I sometimes feel less than well-read that there are so many books that can be considered classics that I haven’t tackled yet.
I think it’s a balance. Many of these books are classics for a reason. That said, I have found many of them boring and less than fun to read. Case in point: “Crime and Punishment” – I made it through, but it wasn’t my funnest book reading experience. Overall, I am glad I read it and will no doubt slog through others of this ilk, while also making time for Austen and even less intellectual fair.
Great post!
I will have to admit that I have never aspired to read War and Peace. Right now I am just trying to master Football for Dummies.
D Field – Welcome,
You do not have to be a woman to read or post here. My husband comments from time to time and also writes a few articles for us. He is an Imperfect Man but he won’t admit to it.
I look forward to reading more from Kimberly.
Hi Kimberly,
I read your story. Way to go!!! Very good! Humorous as always! Congratulations!!!!
I echo Margaret’s sentiments-Keep writing!!!
Here’s to many more!
Cheryl
Great, great piece, Kimberly. I haven’t read War and Peace, though it’s on my list, kind of, as I started trying to read a Russian novel every summer (though I cast that plan aside this summer and read Sense and Sensibility, instead – first Austen I’ve really liked, to be honest).
I’ve decided that some fiction is better if you give up trying to enjoy it and settle for trying to appreciate it. I think it’s still worth reading the classics, but I must admit I feel alternately annoyed by, skeptical of and intimidated by people who insist that Ulysses or Les Miserables is absolutely their favorite book ever! Way to make me feel like an intellectual peasant over here, enjoying my Stephanie Plum books.
I think that adjusting your goals is an excellent choice. I have to say, if the movie is that bad, I’m really scared of the book!
I did not try War and Peace but I got halfway through Anna Karina and found it a great sleeping pill. Never thought of the port and cheese but then again, I hate port. Nice article Kim!
Les Miserables was tres miserable. I couldn’t finish it. I also found a Tale of Two Cities very tedious.
How about Thomas Hardy? Does anyone else love him?
Hey Kim, great article. My War & Peace is Gone With the Wind. It’s on my Bucket List.
Keep writing….perhaps start your own blog??
Ann,
I loved A Tale of Two Cities, though I agree it could be boring at times.
(Plus I had to read it for 10th grade English so it’s not like I chose it on my own).
Sandra,
I read all of Anna Karenina when I was…17? years old. It was long, but scandalous!
Kim,
I loved your story!! I think you are the only one who could inject humor into War & Peace.
You are so talented. I hope you share more of your wonderful stories with the readers on this site. I look forward to reading more.
Congratulations.
Iris
War and Peace is a great novel. If you can get past chapter two you will be hooked. I read it for the second time (first in college) a couple years back. It’s one where you feel like you know these people intimately by the time you are through, not disimilar to an Austen novel in that sense. Don’t read it because you feel you have to, to be well read – there are so many great books out there – but it’s worth it (maybe take it as your “on the plane” book, about six round trips to Europe and you’ll be finished! But the history of Russia is fascinating and that period will never return, nor anything like it, it’s unique among nations, the way they were organized and lived.
I had the “OMG will this movie never end” experience with Dr Zhivago although I liked the book, I hated the ending, and the movie just seemed to go on and on. It’s weird with the Russian stuff, there’s something about Russian history that just lends itself to a long telling.
I remember reading A Tale of Two Cities a long time ago (probably in the 10th grade like Jasmin!), and while it was boring and silly at times (Dickens sure loved maudlin deathbed scenes with children, didn’t he?), the ending made me sob. For that reason alone I must give it props.
Ann, do you have a suggested starting place with Hardy? I think we’ve talked about him before; I’m afraid of him because I’ve heard he’s depressing.
whosMindingtheKids, I love the movie version of Doctor Zhivago! Just adore it. I do intend to read the book some day; it’s encouraging to hear that you liked that better than the movie. I agree that it’s sort of meandering but I find it romantic and moving and sad, and I like the way it juxtaposes the larger story of the Russian Revolution against these very intimate stories of individual lives.
Hey Kim,
You are funny! I like the idea of shifting goals to simplify your life. It is amazing how we can ‘lock’ ourselves into ideas of what we need to do in order to be worthy, to fit in or what society often implies makes more of a complete person. I am not sure if this is the exact message that you wanted to deliver, but it lead me down that windy avenue of thought s.
Yes, drink port, eat cheese, read Jane Austin. Fill you boots with what makes you happiest.
Thanks so much everyone who commented or complimented on my story. I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I’ve put War and Peace to bed and started to read Succulent Wild Woman by SARK! Now that’s what I call a shift!
Thanks again,
Kimberly