In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 10, Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The French keep moving forward, with the Russians backing away in front of them.  By the 10th of August, Prince Andrew is fairly near to Bald Hills, along with his regiment.  Also it's hot, but considering Tolstoy was in Russia, and I'm now sitting in a global-warming heatwave in the UK, I'm ignoring that.

Prince Andrew is very popular amongst his men, but he's only nice to new people.  Anyone from his past, he draws away from.  Right now, he's angry about the invasion, which is distracting him from his own problems, mostly the taking of Smolensk - which he still believes could have been defended - and having to make his own father flee to Moscow and abandon Bald Hills to the French.

There's no reason for Prince Andrew to visit Bald Hills, but he does anyway.  It really is abandoned, apart from an old peasant sitting in the garden, whom Andrew knows from childhood.  When Andrew rides up, another person is disturbed - Apalytych, who has sent his family away but remains at Bald Hills himself, with some servants.  He begins weeping and kissing Andrew's knee when he sees him, then pulls himself together and reports on the changes.  Everything valuable has either been moved to Bogucharovo - Andrew's own home - except for things like the crops, which have just been destroyed instead, since they're not ripe.  Most of the peasants have gone to Bogucharovo too.  Andrew asks when his father and sister - and presumably, his son - left, meaning, when did they go to Moscow, but Alpatych understands the questions are referring to when they departed to Bogucharovo, and replies that they left on the 7th.  I feel like they might be different places and thus this exchange is a misunderstanding, but I'm not certain because I don't really know where Bogucharovo is, and also, Andrew was very clear about his family going to Moscow, so I don't know why Alpatych would misunderstand.

I looked it up, and I think Bogucharovo is further north than Bald Hills, but still over a hundred kilometres away from Moscow.  While I was googling this, google told me that many people ask "is War and Peace the greatest novel ever written?".  That's a really difficult question to answer, not least because there's no definition of "greatest novel".  I'd say it's up there.  Keeping a story this tight and consistent over this length is an amazing achievement, and Tolstoy definitely had an eye for character and psychoanalysis.  That said, the book is relatively simply written compared to what I would expect from a modern book.  I think there are several reasons for that.  Firstly, it was written over a hundred years ago, and while it moved the whole field of literature forward in its day, it also enabled newer writers to move beyond it, and to explore more.  To use an analogy, it's as if the whole field of literature, and every writer who has ever lived, has been working together to build a road.  Maybe Tolstoy built ten feet of road with this novel, while most writers only build a foot or two, if that.  However, having built that ten feet, other writers can then walk down it, and build on it further, even if each of them only adds a tiny bit more distance.  It's like how, as a scientist, I know more about evolution than Darwin ever did, but that's partly thanks to the work he did, and the strides he made in the field.  Secondly, psychology and personal identity weren't as advanced then as they were today.  For example, Andrew Bolkonsky is very clearly depressed, and has been for a while.  Tolstoy describes Andrew's thoughts and actions, but doesn't delve further into why as an author might today.  The same with old Nikolai, the miserable old bastard.  There's probably a lot going on there, but we get a description of what he does and a little of what he thinks, in very simple terms.  It reminds me a lot of Stephen King's or Terry Pratchett's quick thumbnail sketches of a character.  We can also talk about gender identity.  Sonya has the courage to express what she wants to Nikolai because she's dressed as a man at the time, and it gives her confidence.  Today, an author might explore what that meant for a character's gender identity or sexuality, but Tolstoy just describes it.  Finally, I tend to enjoy reading a lot of mystery stories or psychological thrillers.  In those stories, why a character does something or why they say something a certain way is important, which is not so much the case here.  We don't read between the lines, things are very clearly stated.  The surprises come from what will happen, or what is historically known to have happened and how we got there, not from unrevealed motivations or secrets.  Wilkie Collins, the father of the modern psychological thriller, was Tolstoy's contemporary, with many of his novels released in the 1860s, while War and Peace was being written.

Alpatych asks Andrew a few more household questions, which Andrew recognises as Alpatych's attempt to maintain order in a world gone mad.  He also mentions that a few regiments have ridden over the gardens.  Andrew asks what Alpatych intends to do when the French arrive.  His reply is unclear.  Andrew sees some little girls and their mother taking plums from his trees, and pretends not to see them.  It makes him happy to see people who don't share his concerns and desires, and he wants them to get their desire - the plums.

On the 7th of August, Prince Bagration wrote to Arakcheev from further up the Smolensk road, knowing that the Tsar would read his letter.  He writes that he does not approve of Barclay de Tolly abandoning Smolensk, and most definitely does not want Russia surrendering.  Basically, he wants the Tsar to take over from Barclay de Tolly.  He also accuses de Tolly's advisor of being a French spy, and claims that the entire army, and, indeed, the Russian people, agree with everything he's writing.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 10, Chapters 3 and 4

Chapter 3

Old Nikolai gets distracted by his will, which includes his magnum opus, to be delivered to the Tsar upon old Nikolai's death. He also spends some time fussing about where he's going to sleep tonight, and we learn that he moves around a lot because he thinks such depressing thoughts when he lies down to sleep and doesn't want to be reminded of them.  Tonight, he briefly remembers the letter, but dismisses it with memories of himself as a young general, which was a much better time.

I would like to humbly suggest that, if he weren't such a mean, miserable old bastard, he might have even happier memories to draw on.

Chapter 4

Dessalles - young Nikolai's tutor - advises Mary to write a letter directly to the Governor of Smolensk to find out how much danger they're in, since old Nikolai seems totally disinterested.  Bald Hills is forty miles from Smolensk and only two miles outside of Moscow, so they're right in the firing line.  Alpatych, the estate manager, sets off with the letter, after spending some time being prepared by his family.  They're also eager to hear the news.  On the fourth of August, Alpatych reaches Smolensk, specifically, the home of Ferapontov.  Alpatych gave Ferapontov some business advice thirty years ago - before Alpatych became entirely absorbed with Bald Hills - and Ferapontov is now quite successful.  Ferapontov tells Alpatych that everyone has been leaving town, which the latter dismisses as "women's fuss".  Ferapontov agress, but felt honour-bond to tell him.  Alpatych "hears without heeding" and everyone retires to bed.  The next day, firing is heard from quite early on, with cannons added from around 8am.  Lots of people are leaving town, but business is still going on as normal - all the shops are open and so on, though everyone is using them to gossip about the war.  Alpatych sets off to see the governor, only to find a crowd of people complaining about how the soldiers have brought them all to ruins.  Eventually, Alpatych gets in to see the governor, Baron Asch, who officially says nothing but advises that "as the prince is unwell" he recommends a retreat to Moscow, for absolutely no other reason, you understand, and nothing to do with the war.

Meanwhile, the firing grows louder, and everyone turns panicked looks on Alpatych as he exists the Governor's room.  Alpatych has also been handed a copy of the instructions from Barclay de Tolly to the Baron, with a properly cited reference in the text and everything.  They may be legit.  Basically, Barclay de Tolly swears that Smolensk is absolutely safe.  The people of Smolensk do not agree, and continue trying to leave town with the entire contents of their homes on their backs.

Btw, this is a really long chapter.  All the others have a reading time of 1-2 minutes, according to my kindle.  This one started at 8.

Alpatych goes back to Ferapontov, who says he can't possibly leave town right now, business being what it is.  They have tea together while Alpatych's horses are saddled, and the battle noises seem to die down.  Ferapontov is confident that the French has been driven off.  I disagree.  So do the French - they begin bombarding the town directly.  People are still worried, but no one seems to be dying right this second and things are almost normal.  That is, until one lands right next to Alpatych and Ferapontov and the whole street is shrouded in smoke.  Not long after, the cook - who took a cannonball directly to the thigh - has been carried off, and Alpatych, Ferapontov's family, and a few others are all hiding in Ferapontov's cellar.  Some soldiers run through, with one shouting that the town is being abandoned.  Lots of things are on fire.  Ferapontov makes it to his shop, which is being looted by soldiers.  Upon realising they're Russian soldiers, he encourages them to leave nothing for the French.

The roads are so busy with people that Alpatych has to wait for nightfall to leave, along with Ferapontov's family.  Even when they can move, they're stuck in a traffic jam pretty quickly, with nothing but dying fires to look at.  Alpatych wanders around for a bit, looking at the soldiers, and recognises one of them as Prince Andrew Bolkonski.  Surprised to see his father's estate manager, Andrew asks what he's doing here, but he has to shout it from across the street because of all the soldiers still in the way.  Alpatych eventually reaches him, and Andrew writes a note, stating that Smolensk will be abandoned, Bald Hills will be occupied within in the week and the Bald Hills household should set off for Moscow ASAP.  Despite being in the army, he did not say 'ASAP' because it hadn't been invented yet, and also he speaks Russian and French, not English.  Berg - Vera Rostova's husband, so Nikolai and Natasha's brother-in-law - comes up to Andrew and demands to know why he's wasting time speaking to a civilian, but Andrew ignores him.

Andrew also writes in his note that they should tell him when they set off.  He tells Alptych that he will wait until the tenth, and if he hears nothing, will come to Bald Hills himself.

He'll be there by my birthday!

Berg realises who Prince Andrew is, apologises, and blames it on following orders, perhaps setting a precedent that will last at least 97 years.  Andrew continues to ignore him as a house nearby collapses from the fire.  Then he rides off dramatically.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 10, Chapters 1 and 2

I've had two holidays since my last update.  I'd hoped to be able to get more chapters done on the last one, but I spent the whole time either in a hot tub or playing Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia on my phone.  If I want to finish the book before my 31st birthday, I'll need to read 12 chapters per day, which is possible, but the thought of reading that much of War and Peace every day is daunting, and it's putting me off starting.  So, I'm going to ignore that goal and just carry on reading it as I was before.  We're now starting Part 10!

Chapter 1

This chapter begins by explaining all the personal motivations that lead to the war, and goes ahead to tell us how it will end, before the book goes back and explains what happened on a people level.  Napoleon is arrogant, Alexander is slighted, Barclay de Tolly is famestruck, Nikolai is a soldier, Anatole's hot, Marya's old-school, Sonya's good, Natasha's young, and Andrew isn't here.  Tolstoy explains that, while each acted of their own free will, their free will was shaped by the society they were in, and the higher up they were, the less free they were.  All that is left now - at the time Tolstoy wrote - is history.  The Russian's one, and now, Tolstoy explains, we know that it was because the French were not prepared for the Russian winter (the infamous Generals, January and February) and because of how personally the Russian people took the attack.  But, no one living then could have predicted that the French would be beaten by an army of raw recruits only half their size.  Also (paraphrased) both sides were doing stupid things - the French were pressing forward and the Russians were pushing them back, even though Russia eventually won by luring the French deep into the country and then, presumably, summoning Shiva.  

Historians in Tolstoy's time - according to him - liked to say that the French were wary and the Russians were confident, but Tolstoy points out that we only remember the small events that agree with that narrative because the Russian's won.  There were loads of indications that things would go another way, but everyone ignores those.  Tolstoy attributes the Russian victory to everyone doing whatever they wanted in a way that happened to be lucky for Russia, even though no one really succeeded in what they were actually trying to do.

Most of the chapter is details which make my eyes glaze over.  Basically, the French army reached Smolensk by August, fought a battle in which thousands died on both sides, and then began to advance on Moscow, which was their downfall.  The local people of Smolensk burned it to the ground, unhappy with the Russian leadership and French invasion, and carried that hatred to other Russians, which also contributed to the French defeat.

Chapter 2

We're back to people-stuff now.  It's July, the day after Andrew has left, and old Prince Nikolai Bolkonski is blaming it on Mary.  He shouts at her then sulks in his room for a week.  Mary notices that he excludes everyone, including Amelie Bourienne (but not his butler, a man has to uphold standards).  When he comes out, he still has a face like a wet weekend, but he breaks things off with Amelie and goes back to his old way of life.  I think Mary's happy - she spends half of each day with her nephew, young Nikolai, and the rest studying her books.  Mary doesn't think of this war as important or different from any others, apart from the fact that her brother might die, even though her pilgrim friends and many others try to explain it to her.

Honestly, I'm afraid of Brexit.  That might seem like a weird interjection, but what brings it to mind is that feeling of confidence, that Britain has lasted for millenia, that we have been powerful, successful, and a pretty luxurious place to live compared to many countries, and while it seems like things might remain that way for ever...they actually might not.  This time might be different.  And if not Brexit, then climate change, or whatever stupid way our society is going to destroy itself.  Things can be changed for good, which this war might do for Russian society, and which Mary just does not see coming.

Anyway, Mary's friend Julie Dubretskaya (formerly Karagina, but now she's married to darling Bory) writes to Mary, in "Frenchified Russian" to explain that she now hates the French, and all her other worries about the war.  Mary still is not concerned, mostly because her father isn't.  He's basically back to his old self, apart from the fact that he doesn't really sleep, and, when he does sleep, keeps changing his sleeping place.

On the first of August, they receive a letter from Andrew.  He's asking his father for forgiveness for their row, and Old Nikolai replies affectionately and explains that he's broken up with Amelie.  So that's all right then.  Andrew's second letter gives them an update on the war and warns his father that staying at Bald Hills might not be the best idea.  Old Nikolai tells Mary about the letter at dinner, but insists that the "theatre of war" will be Poland, not central Russia.  We already know that's not true, so this doesn't seem like a good sign for the Bolkonski's.  Also, old Nikolai gets muddled with previous campaigns, which is not a good sign for him.  Mary notices the encroaching dementia and is concerned.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapters 22 and 23

Chapter 22

It is now the 15th of July (two days later) and the palace is now full of people in various uniforms.  Some from Catherine the Great's time, which is two rulers back, some from the last ruler (Paul), and some in the current uniform.  They just want to look military-ish.  Pierre is also here, since this is the crowd he generally hangs out with.  There is much talk about what's going to happen, both in terms of war, and in the etiquette when the Emperor enters.  Count Ilya Rostov is there, in one of Catherine's uniforms, hanging out with his old buddies.  Overall, there is a great deal of armchair-generaling, some of it being done by literal generals in armchairs.    Pierre is so moved that he needs to express his opinion, mostly that they need clear info from the Tsar on exactly what troops they have and where they are before decisions can be made.  Ilya enjoys his remarks.  Many others do not.  An acquaintance of Pierre's, Count Adraksin, shouts that they have no right to question the emperor in that way.  Some argue that they should willingly give their lives for Russia, no questions asked.

Pierre is frustrated that he can't express everything he wants to, because everyone is speaking at once.

Chapter 23

Count Rostopchin arrives.  I cannot remember if he's been mentioned before.  He announces that the Tsar will arrive in a moment.  There's another page of bickering, and every agrees to provide 10 soldiers out of every 1000 serfs, before Alexander arrives.  I do not enjoy these war chapters.  Pierre can't hear the emperor properly, but gathers that he's talking about the threat against Russia and how important the Moscow nobility will be in defending against it.  The Tsar is then told about the 10/1000 and expresses his thanks.  Count Ilya can't hear a word either, but is moved to tears anyway.  The Tsar also begins crying - not in direct response - and so does basically everyone else.  Pierre is now ashamed that he questioned the emperor.  He offers 1000 men, plus their maintenance.  I am unclear what percentage of his serfs this is.  Count Ilya signs Petya up for the Hussars.  I hope the next book is less war-y.

I'm now at the end of part 9, and 56% of the way through the book.  I have 175 chapters to go, and if I read 1 chapter per day, I'll finish on the 7th of January, which is much better than I was doing when I made that spreadsheet.  I'm going on holiday on the 16th though, which may well slow me down.  At this point, I'll need to read 6 chapters per day to finish on my birthday.  Parts 10 and 11 are by far the longest in the book.  Part 10 is 39 chapters and makes up 11%, while part 11 is 34 chapters long, nad makes up 9% of the book.  The next six books are much shorter, ranging from 12-20 chapters long, and collectively making up 24% of the book. 

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapters 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21

Chapter 17

So Natasha is less miserable, but also really bored, and can't sing any more (because she's still a bit sad).   At least she's sad with regret about making stupid decisions and ruining her life, which is quite a sensible thing to be sad about in the circumstances.  She misses her innocent, carefree days, which she can't seem to recapture, and she can't find anything to look forward to.  Ironically, Andrew could probably empathise with this.  She's stopped leaving the house, and the only visitor she's happy to see is Pierre.  He's very kind to her, but she just assumes he's like that to everyone, and doesn't attribute anything special to it.  She feels such a moral barrier between them - the complete antithesis of what she felt with Anatole - that she can't imagine their relationship ever becoming romantic.  She does remember that Pierre once told her that, if he were free, he would beg for her hand, but she assumes that's just something he said to be comforting.

A country neighbour, Agrafena Ivanovna Belova, comes to visit, and suggests that Natasha fasts and prepares for Holy Communion.  She does, mostly because it's something to do.  Normally, the Rostovs would prepare with private worship at home, but this time Natasha goes to church every day, three times a day, for a week.  I think it does her good just to get out of the house.  Also, she learns some humility.  She feels a lot better, and the doctors take credit for it.

Chapter 18

Moscow is hearing more and more about the war,much of it rumours, none of it good.  It's now July of 1812.  Most of the families who would normally leave for the summer have not.  Natasha is also hearing rumours about herself, but she's imaging some of that.  She's enjoying being pretty a lot less than she used to, and she's starting to get bored of her new church routine now.  On this particular day, however, she is deeply moved by the words of the priest, and mentally begs him to tell her how to live her life - something Pierre can definitely relate to.  The prayer also helps her - she prays for her brother and Denisov at war, for Andrew at sea, for her family who have been so good to her, and for Anatole and her family's debtors as enemies.

Chapter 19

We're now back to Pierre.  Seeing the Great Comet of 1812 has helped him get over his preoccupation with material things, because now he's entirely preoccupied with Natasha.  He's still doing all the same things he did before, but now he feels spiritual about it.  However, as she recovers, his feeling of pity becomes one of restlessness.  He feels that a catastrophe is coming.

The Freemasons have a prophecy about Napoleon, linked to 666 and the beast, and so on.  They believe that 42, his age, and, which in French and with numerology applied sums to 666, is the year he will be defeated.

Pierre is quite interested in this, and tries to use numerology to figure out exactly what will bring about the end of Napoleon's reign.  With lots of lots of fudging of the numbers, he works out that his own name can be made to equal 666, if he includes his nationality, leaves off his first name, and deletes a random 'e'.  All of this snark is implicit in the text by the way, I'm not adding to it.  Pierre is pretty sure that all these prophecies and his feelings for Natasha are all bound together, in such a way that will rocket him out of his mundane life.  The day after Natasha's religious revelation, Pierre is visiting the Rostovs with news.  On the way, a courier hands him a letter from Nikolai to Count Ilya.  I have a foreboding feeling about this letter.  Pierre is also handed a copy of the emperor's appeal to Moscow, and the last army orders.  The army orders detail Nikolai's award of the St George's Cross, and also state that Andrew has been promoted.  Pierre passes on Nikolai's letter and the orders, and keeps the bulletin to tell the Rostov's about at dinner.

Pierre has been considering entering the army, but the great destiny promised by the prophecy stops him.

Chapter 20

It's a Sunday, so a few intimate friends are dining with the Rostovs today.  Pierre arrives early, so he can deliver his news.  He's gained some weight, but he's tall enough to pull it off.  His coachman doesn't bother to weight - Pierre is in the habit of staying at the Rostov's until midnight.

Today, Natasha is finally singing again, which surprises and delights Pierre.  She blushes when he arrives, and asks if singing is wrong, because she wouldn't like to do anything he would disapprove of.  At least she's starting going directly to the source now, instead of listening to Helene.  She also wants to know if Pierre thinks Andrew will ever forgive her.  Pierre immediately thinks of proposing to her, but she interrupts before he can.  Then Petya runs in, completely ruining the mood.  It occurs to me that Pierre and Petya are variations on the same name.  Anyway, Petya is now fifteen, and had been planning to enter university.  Before that, he is going to join the Hussars and wants to ask Pierre's advice.  The narration refers to Pierre as Petya's namesake, so the similarity is intentional.  The Count then appears to get the update on how the war is going.  Pierre manages a coherent update, but is otherwise totally distracted by Natasha.  The biggest news that it is now dangerous to speak French.  When we started the book it was fashionable, and people have kept dropping into random French throughout.  I've not been mentioning it because my French is only slightly better than my Russian (I can say 'hello' in Russian and 'I'm very sorry, I don't speak very good French' in French).  There's talk of a draft, to force young men to join the army, and Ilya points out that Pierre will have to go if that happens.  The Count also becomes very patriotic, but dials it back when Petya announces his own plan to sign up.  

The Count invites Pierre to smoke, but Pierre is suddenly feeling an urgent need to go home.  The Count points out that Natasha only brightens up when Pierre is around, but it doesn't persuade him.  Pierre needs to go home because he loves Natasha, but he knows she doesn't love him.  He vows not to visit the Rostovs any more.

Chapter 21

Petya has been solidly refused permission to join the Hussars, and so is weeping in his room like the 15-year-old boy he is.

The next day, Petya sets off to the palace, having decided to go see the Emperor, speak to one of the gentlemen-in-waiting that he imagines the Emperor is always surrounded with, and offer his services as a soldier.  His fine plans are soon hindered by being crushed in the crowd outside the Tsar's residence (Tsar and Emperor are used interchangeably, but we've been talking about Alexander this whole time).  Everyone's there to see the Tsar.  Petya is knocked so hard at one point that he loses consciousness.  This turns out to be lucky, as it gets him carried a lot closer to the front of the route the Emperor is taking.  Petya no longer hopes to petition Alexander, but does hope to see him.  He doesn't, but now he's even more determined to become a Hussar.

Petya hangs around a bit longer, and the Tsar eventually comes out to his balcony and starts throwing bread rolls at the crowd.  Petya knocks an old woman to the ground to get one, and then goes to see his friend, Obolenski, who also intends to become a Hussar.  When he finally gets home, he tells his father that he will run away to join up if he has to.  Count Ilya capitulates, and begins to inquire on the safest possible place his son can serve.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapters 14, 15, and 16

Chapter 14

At 3am - before most people have managed to get any sleep - the soldiers receive their marching orders, and then more war stuff happens.  Nikolai quite enjoys it, because he's used to it now.  He ends the chapter by watching different coloured horses (Russian and French) crashing into one another.

Chapter 15

The mounted soldiers are referred to as 'dragoons'.  This is the first time I've heard that term outside of a Square Enix game, and I'm disappointed that there are no dragons or people jumping with lances.

Being so far away, Nikolai is able to follow the flow of battle.  It's mentioned, a few times, that his experience as a hunter is helping, so all the chapters I don't enjoy do have a common theme.  Nikolai uses his instincts to choose the best point to launch an attack.  He has some success, including knocking a French officer from his horse.  Weirdly (sarcasm), he doesn't look like an enemy on the ground - he looks like a frightened young man.  He surrenders before Nikolai has to decide to kill him.  Nikolai now feels uneasy and guilty about the whole thing.  He's also pretty sure he's going to be disciplined for having his men charge without orders.  He's praised instead, and gains a St George's Cross, but still doesn't feel good.  He goes to see the prisoners, looking for the Frenchman with the dimple who he knocked off his horse.  He seems fine, with only a flesh wound across his arm, and waves at Nikolai in greeting.  Nikolai feels even worse.  He spends days mulling over the issue.  He hasn't been particularly brave, just braver than those around him, and he doesn't feel like he's done anything noble - he feels ashamed.   The world carries on turning around him, and he's given command of a hussar battalion for his bravery.

Chapter 16

Natasha is very ill - neither eating nor sleeping, coughing, etc - and her mother and Petya and their entire household have come to Moscow to be with her.  Numerous doctors come to see her.  It doesn't help with her condition, but it helps her family to see something happening.  Tolstoy explains that this is why homeopaths and so on will always exist - because they fulfil a basic mental need to feel that something is being done, the same way that a child asks mother to "kiss it better".  Basically, it's a placebo that helps the whole family feel hopeful and in control.  Count Rostov feels better about spending a thousand rubles a month on Natasha's care than he would if he knew nothing was being done.  Every member of the family gains something from it.  Because of Natasha's illness - the symptoms of which are eating little, sleeping little, coughing, and being mopey - the family don't go to the countryside in the summer of 1812.  I feel like the implication is that Natasha is just being a sulky teenager and that going and getting some fresh air would be a good thing all round.  She starts to get better anyway. because time heals all wounds.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapter 13

Chapter 13

When Nikolai and Ilyin arrive at the pub, Mary Hendrickhovna is already there with five officers.  Her husband is also there, asleep.  Everyone is fussing over Mary, because she is the only woman in a ten mile radius.  They all have her stir their tea, and then Nikolai proposes a card game, with the winner gaining the right to kiss Mary Henrickhovna's hand.  The doctor sits up there, and it's revealed that he's been awake and listening for some time.  He is not happy.  After the first game, he takes his wife to go and sleep in their covered cart outside, and the officers stay up all night, gossiping and occasionally going outside to look at the cart.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Nikolai's parents write to tell him of Natasha's illness and how she has broken her engagement with Andrew.  They urge him to return as quickly as he can.  He promises that he will, without actually making any efforts to do so.  He also writes to Sonya, and tells her that he will return and marry her as soon as he can, but he cannot currently leave the army with honour.  While he's there, he enjoys his time on campaign.  He's now experienced enough to have his own flunky, Ilyin, who gazes at him with adoration, as he did to Dolokhov back in 1806, and he also knows enough to be able to pick holes in other men's war stories.  He is especially unimpressed by Zdrhinski, who has a handlebar moustache and likes to tell tales of the General Raevski's exploits, which Nikolai suspects to be highly exaggerated. 

I kind-of like General Raevski, because his last name is almost the same as mine.  Nikolai is disparaging about the fact that General Raevski is said to have lead his own sons in the battle because, firstly, it wasn't an important enough battle to risk his son's lives (in Nikolai's opinion), secondly, they wouldn't have been able to see Raevski properly, or care that much about his paternal feelings at that particular time, and, thirdly, he would definitely not have left Petya or Ilyin into that sort of danger.  He doesn't say anything out loud because he knows that that isn't done.  Ilyin interrupts the conversation instead, by riding off to find shelter.  He finds a nearby tavern, full of Russian soldier's, and the regiment's doctor's young German wife, Mary Hendrickhovna.  She has a very jealous husband who likes to keep her close, so early in their marriage.  Anyway, Ilya and Nikolai set off for the tavern.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapters 10 and 11

I missed a bit at the end of chapter 9.  A letter has been written to the Emperor Alexander politely suggesting that he leave the army, because he'd be so much more useful in the capital.  He accepts this.

Chapter 10

Before Alexander gets that letter, Andrew is told the emperor wishes to ask him about Turkey, and he's to present himself at 6pm.  Also, that same day, Alexander has received news of Napoleon's movements (false) and been told that the fortified camp which had been believed to be a triumph of tactical science, is an absurdity (true).  All of that means that, when Andrew arrives, the emperor has ridden off to see the camp instead. Instead a finds a not-actually council-of-war.  It basically is a council of war, only no one calls it that because the emperor prefers to be vague.  Andrew also meets Pfuel, the man who designed the camp in the first place.  Pfuel is not impressed with Andrew, but he's "inclined to be irritably sarcastic", so that's probably not Andrew's fault.  Tolstoy claims that Pfuel is self-confident in the way only Germans can be, because "only Germans are self-confident on the basis of an abstract notion - science, that is, the supposed knowledge of absolute truth".  This is, presumably, not as good as French self-confidence, which is built on the supposition of being sex on legs (paraphrased) or English self-confidence, which is built on being a citizen of the best-organised state in the world (no longer true), or Italian self-confidence built on being excitable and forgetful, or a Russian self-confidence based on the idea that nothing can ever be truly known.  I'm beginning to suspect that Tolstoy would have been an anti-vaxxer if alive today.  He refers to science as something which man himself as invented, but which is "for him, the absolute truth".  Oh Tolstoy.  We don't invent science.  We use the scientific method which, but shortly, is a way of narrowing down the possibilities and finding as much evidence as we can regarding the question we want to answer.

Anyway, Pfuel's science is the theory of war, which, based on how Tolstoy describes it, I would agree sounds a bit made up.  Pfuel, for instance, is in the habit of excluding conflicts which don't fit his preconceived notions of warfare.  I can never remember if that one is a Texas Sharpshooter or No True Scotsman fallacy.  I think the latter, since it's observation rather than experiments that he's examining.  Pfuel was one of those responsible for the failed campaign of 1806.  He blames the failure on deviations from his plan, and takes it as proof that he's right about everything.  Okay, I'm beginning to sympathise with Tolstoy's views now.  If this is what I thought a scientist was, I wouldn't think much of them either.  Plus, we must also remember that this is a translation.

Chapter 11

Finally, the emperor arrives, stating that whoever designed the camp he's just seen deserves either the lunatic asylum or the gallows.  The emperor tells Andrew to wait for him in the drawing room, while he heads into the study with Prince Peter Mikhaylovich Volksonski (it's not at all confusing that his name is similar to both Anna Mikhaylovna or Bolkonski) and Baron Stein.  Peter then comes out to the drawing room to ask the group to discuss the (false) news about French movements.  Everyone begins sharing plans which they came up with ages ago, and which don't actually relate at all to what's really happening, or believed to be happening.  Pfuel and his translator are silent - apart from occasional harumphs - until Peter directly asks for his opinion.  Pfuel is annoyed because everyone has deviated from his perfect plan which, obviously, would have been successful if it wasn't for actual people getting in the way.  He continues to insist that his camp is a perfect machine of destruction for enemy armies.  Another member of the party, Paulucci, begins to argue with him, but in French, so there are people translating over one another, and Pfuel refuses to slow down.  Eventually, he begins to sulk and refuses to explain.  If this debate were happening online, he'd be flouncing.  Wolzogen takes over defending him, but Pfuel begins to attack him as well.  Eventually, there are three languages bouncing around the room - French, German, and Russian - and Andrew just sits there drinking it all in.  He's a fan of Pfuel.  He realises that Pfuel isn't trying to attack anyone, he justs wants the plan he's worked hard on to be followed.  Andrew can respect that.  Pfuel is also the only one without a panicky fear of Napoleon's genius.  Perhaps Pfuel also reminds Andrew of his own father - he's "pitiable", with messy hair, and a fear that the one chance to test his theories of war will be lost.  Andrew himself believes that there cannot be a science of war, based on his experience of just how random and confusing it is to be at the front.  Surely if there were then all these great men would at least have some overlap in their ideas?  Plus, all the generals he's known have been contrary, stupid, or absent-minded.  Andrew realises that to be good at war, a man must be lacking in the "highest and best human attributes" - love, poetry, tenderness, and philosophic, inquiring doubt.  That makes sense to me.  Only someone without pity or empathy, or love, who can truly believe they're doing the right thing, can send millions of men to their death.  These generals really don't do anything - it's all about the men at the front, who react to what's in front of them, that can change how a battle goes.  Andrew forever loses his standing in court circles when, the next day, he asks to leave the Emperor and return to the army.  But I like him a lot better, so there's that.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Andrew reaches the general army headquarters at the end of June.  The Russian army is split into two, apparently by the French forces, and no one is happy about how it's being handled.  No one's really concerned about Russia being invaded, they all think it'll stay in the Polish provinces.  I know nothing about this war, but my foreshadowing sense is tingling and I suspect that that belief is about as accurate as "it'll be over by Christmas" (an apparently common statement about the first world war).  Andrew's been hoping to find Anatole here, but doesn't - Anatole's gone to St Petersburg.

Andrew's not terribly disappointed because the army is, finally, distracting him from his thoughts of vengeance.  He spends his first day riding around the camp, trying to decide if it's in a good position or not.  He can't.  From his previous experience, he's realised that well-considered plans don't make a large amount of difference compared to the unexpected movements of the enemy and how they are responded to.  With this in mind, Andrew starts thinking about the people in the army, rather than its placement.  We get a description of the main army staff, which makes my eyes glaze over.  I feel like most of them we'll never hear from again.  One interesting bit of info is that the men named don't have official military positions but do have positions of influence with the emperor, so it's very unclear in what capacity one is being question by them, or whether advice from them consists of direct orders from the emperor or just idle chatter.  This does not seem like a healthy army.  Also, Alexander still refuses to be commander-in-chief.  The rest of the chapter describes how these people influence the Tsar, and the various committees they are split into.  The Tsarevich - I think, Alexander's son Nikolai - did not have a good experience in the last war, and recognise both Napoleon's strength and their own weakness, and strongly feel that finding peace before they are turned out of St Petersburg is the best option.  They are the third party described, of which there are many.  At least eight.  The eighth group is the largest, and consist of men like darling Bory, who don't particular care how the war ends up as long as they come out ahead.  They greatly confuse the other seven groups, by loudly agreeing with whoever seems to be promising them riches today.  When Andrew arrives, a 9th party is forming, consisting of old men who are mostly trying to get out of this mess intact.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Having heard the whole story of Anatole's attempts to seduce his ex-fiance (from Pierre), Prince Andrew sets off to Moscow after him.  Pierre has also warned Anatole, so he's not there when Andrew arrives.  Andrew chases him to Turkey, but by then he's gone back to Russia.  Andrew spends some time abiding in Turkey.  He can't reclaim the thoughts he had when he looked up at the sky, and the very attempt is anathemous to him.  He intends to start a duel with Anatole as soon as he finds him, but hopes to find another cause to blame, rather than compromise Natasha.

Andrew rejoins the army under Kutuzov to pass the time, and asks to be transferred to the Western Front when the 1812 war with Napoleon breaks out.  On the way, he stops at Bald Hills.  The last three years have led him through so much personal change that it seems odd to find life there going on just the same as always.  He thinks of Mary as useless and joyless which is a bit much when she's literally raising his son.  Amelie is coquettish and self-satisfied, though possibly more smug than previously.  We also get an update on young Nikolai's tutor, who we hadn't actually met previously.  His name is Dessalles, and he's from Switzerland.  Old Nikolai has lost a tooth, but is otherwise the same as before.  Andrew at least deigns to notice that young Nikolai has changed.  He has dark curly hair and the same smile as Lise.  Bald Hills is described as 'eternally sleeping', and I'm not sure how many of the fairy-tale allusions I'm noticing are intentional on the part of Tolstoy or not.  But, if Amelie is Cinderella, Mary is the Beast and Natasha is the little mermaid, who, in the eternally sleeping Bald Hills, is sleeping beauty?  Andrew himself?  Arguably yes, although he was awoken by Natasha before observing that Bald Hills was sleeping. 

Old Nikolai has continued with his attempted seduction of Amelie, and the household is divided with Amelie, old Nikolai, and 'the architect' on one side, and everyone else on the other.  They come together to dine for Andrew's sake, and it's weird for everyone.  When Andrew goes to talk to his father on the first evening, old Nikolai immediately begins complaining about Mary, who, lest we forget, is caring for him and his grandchild with nothing but criticism from all sides.

Old Nikolai knows that he torments Mary, but he also knows that he's old and can't help it.

Honestly, Mary needs to realise that she is both Beauty and the Beast and get the fuck out of this sleeping castle.  It's only when I wrote that that I realised that Beauty and the Beast also has an eternally sleeping castle, or, at least, abandoned until the Beast either escapes or dies.

Anyway, Old Nikolai feels like he needs to defend himself to Andrew because he knows he's in the wrong and that Andrew can see it, but is disquieted by the fact that Andrew hasn't commented on it.  Since Andrew is being made to comment, he says that, whatever has happened, Mary is totally innocent and it's probably Amelie's fault.  Tbh, I think it's Old Nikolai's fault, but at least Mary's getting some credit.  Old Nikolai demands that Andrew leave immediately, but Mary persuades him to stay another day.  Old Nikolai hides in his rooms and keeps asking if Andrew is gone yet.  Andrew has gone to see his son - for the first time in a while - and tells him the story of Bluebeard.  Andrew is quietly worried about the fact that he doesn't feel remorse or regret for his father, but nor does he feel love and tenderness for his son.  It sounds like Andrew is very, very depressed.  It doesn't help that he knows he used to be happy at Bald Hills, sequestered away from life.

Andrew tells Mary that he's moving on, and he's very sorry that she's not able to leave Bald Hills.  Oh my god Andrew, take your son, hire a nursemaid, and let your sister go on a pilgrimage or join a nunnery or whatever she wants while Amelie takes care of old Nikolai.  Andrew calls both Amelie and Anatole 'trash' and, tbh, not disagreeing.  Meanwhile, Mary is finding some comfort in her faith.  Andrew tells her that forgiving and forgetting is for women.  He decides that, if Mary has reached the point of telling him to forgive, then it's long past the time he should have punished Anatole.

Tbh, it's about time someone gave Anatole a smack.  Andrew knows he's likely to meet Anatole at the Western Front.  Maybe he can use him as a shield, put all of Russian society out of their misery.

Mary asks him to stay longer, but Andrew knows that, if he doesn't leave now, his relationship with his father will be irreparably damaged.  Mary lets him go, with a final reminder that all challenges come from God and that men are only his instruments.  Andrew realises that she thinks this because she has no power, and realises that he doesn't seem to have a lot either.  He's tried to forget about challenging Anatole, but hasn't been successful.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapters 6 and 7

Chapter 6

Despite having just come from Alexander's court, Balashev is impressed by how fancy Napoleon's court is.  He finally gets to talk to Napoleon, but balks at delivering Alexander's final demand, that, while he wants peace, he will go to war if Napoleon's soldiers don't leave Russia.  He asks that the French retreat beyond the Niemen, which is a reduction from the demand of four months earlier, to withdraw from Pomerania.  Napoleon points out that the Russians have been 'willing to negotiate' on this point.  Then he starts throwing a tantrum about it, and asking why Russia is in alliance with England and has made peace with Turkey.  He says he could have made Alexander the greatest Tsar in history but, for some mysterious reason, Alexander rejects his friendship.  He then runs down his opinions of Russian generals, many of whom we haven't met, though he does say Bagration is the only military man amongst them.  He's using this to cast aspersions on Alexander's decision making skills, which, tbh, I don't have a high opinion of atm.  Napoleon insists that the Russian soldiers are sick of Alexander, and the King of Sweden must be mad to ally with him.  Honestly, it's a classic narcissistic tantrum.  Balashev wants to reply to each point, but he can't get a word in edgeways.  He can only hope that Napoleon is ashamed of himself when he calms down (predicted spoiler; he won't be).  Finally, Napoleon lets Balashev leave, insisting that he, Napoleon, and Alexander, are the best of friends.

Chapter 7

Balashev is sticking around for a while before heading back, but he still expects Napoleon to feel ashamed of himself and avoid seeing him.  He's therefore surprised to receive an invitation to dine with him.  Napoleon seems pretty normal at dinner, and tries to reassure Balashev.  It becomes apparent that Napoleon is firmly convinced that he is incapable of doing anything wrong, and so he never feels ashamed or regretful (called it).  He's in a good mood because he rode out amongst the people and they cheered, and he treats Balashev as if Balashev is not a member of the opposing army, and could not wish for anything but Napoleon's success.

He asks Balashev lots of questions about Moscow, and then says that a large number of religious establishments is a sign of a backwards people, after Balashev has told him how many churches there are in Moscow.  He claims nowhere else is like that, and balashev points out that Spain is also very religious.  Everyone ignores him, but when he later repeats the remark amongst Russian company, they enjoy it.  France has recently been defeated by Spain, you see.  This whole time Napoleon's been speaking as if Balashev will be flattered by his interest, but Balashev remains aware that he is talking to the leader of the enemy army and avoids giving away key information, like, for example, that they're all students of Balamb Garden.

(That was a Final Fantasy VIII joke.  At one point, a character accidentally reveals, on live TV, that all the characters are students from Balamb Garden, which leads to it being attacked later on).  Anyway, Balashev isn't that dumb and evades many of Napoleon's questions.  After dinner, the group retires to the study which is now Napoleons, but which belonged to Alexander only four days ago.  Napoleon comments on this, still convinced that Balashev must now be a friend and admirer.  He wonders aloud why Alexander has surrounded himself with Napoleon's enemies, and then starts ranting again.  He ends by pulling Balashev's ear, which is a sign of favour.  Balshev returns to Russia, faithfully reports every detail of his interview, and the war begins.

In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Both Napoleon and Alexander have men who best express their devotion to their ruler by cruelty.  Alexander's is Arakcheev, Napoleon's is Davout.  Tolstoy states that these sorts of men naturally appear in organisations, like wolves appear in nature, and offers this as an explanation for why the "chivalrous, noble, and gentle" Alexander has a man like Arakcheev - who once tore out a man's moustache with his bare hands - nearby.

Balashev runs into Davout, who is sitting in the dark and gloomy shed he chose himself, the better to feel put-upon in.  Davout demands that Balashev hand over the message.  Balashev refuses because he intends to hand it to Napoleon himself.  They have a polite little argument over the proper respect due to orders given to the soldiers of the opposite army.  Finally, at the end of the chapter, Balashev gains access to Napoleon.