In Which We Discuss War and Peace: Book 2, Chapters 6 and 7

I forgot to mention; I hit 12% halfway through the last chapter!

Chapter 6

We now zoom out a little, to learn more about how the war is going more generally.  The army is falling back towards Vienna.  We join them as they are walking through Enns, looking over the Danube.  I must therefore insist that you play the following as you read this post.

I looked it up; Enns is East-South-East of Linz.  The soldiers - none of whom I recognise - are having a picnic there.  Prince Nesvitski has pies and real Doppelkummel to share.  Doppelkummel is alcohol, and apparently there is/was regional disagreement on how it should be made.

The officers are enjoying sightseeing.  They saw deer!  This is a very civilised day trip.  There's even entertainment laid on; they're watching the troops fighting and talking about raiding a nearby nunnery.  I feel like I'm watching Carry On Up the Danube.

The infantry don't appear to be following orders correctly, so Nesvitski is sent to investigate.  He jokes about going to see the nuns instead, certain that they will be pleased to see him, a la Terry of Herland.  The officers settle down to carry on watching the show.

Chapter 7

Nesvitski is stuck on the bridge with a crowd of soldiers.  There is still very much a day-out feel, even though cannons are being fired at them (it hit the Danube).  Denisov - whose first name is Vaska - starts shouting to be let through; he wants to talk to Nesvitski.  He eventually gets through, while all the men gape at the only woman in the vicinity and offer to buy her.  This is very unpleasant.  We end the chapter with the filthy infantry and shiny clean hussars having a bit of banter.  Now I feel like I'm at a football match.