Adult Book Group: Classics

Read classic books slowly and meet to discuss the scheduled reading along the way.

War and Peace is considered by many to be the greatest novel ever written. It is a sweeping work of fiction that takes place during the Napoleonic Wars. Originally started in serial form in 1885, it was published as a full novel in 1889.

It was written in Tolstoy's native Russian tongue and the translation by Louise and Aylmer Maude is recommended. The Maudes spent 20 years with Tolstoy and he authorized their translation. Both the Norton and Oxford editions use the Maude translation, but pagination varies. You are welcome to use any edition or translation; be aware that the text and pagination will vary.

We will read and discuss the novel on select Saturdays* using the following schedule:

July 25
Norton Book 1 (pp.3-94)
Oxford Book I, Part 1 (pp. 3-118)
Penguin Vol I, Pt I (pp. 5–115)

August 8
Norton Book 2 (pp.95-173)
Oxford Book I, Part 2 (pp. 119-213)
Penguin Vol I, Pt II (pp. 116–212)

August 22
Norton Book 3 (pp.175-255)
Oxford Book I, Part 3 (pp. 214-313)
Penguin Vol I, Pt III (pp. 213–313)

September 12
Norton Books 4-5 (pp. 257-365)
Oxford Book II, Parts 1 and 2 (pp. 317-446)
Penguin Vol II, Pts I & II (pp. 317–452)

September 26
Norton Book 6 (pp. 367-429)
Book II, Part 3 (pp. 447-521)
Penguin Vol II, Pt III (pp. 453–532)

October 10
Norton Books 7 and 8 (pp. 431-534)
Oxford Book II, Parts 4 and 5 (pp. 522-644)
Penguin Vol II, Pts IV & V (pp. 533–663)

October 24
Norton Book 9 (pp. 535-606)
Oxford Book III, Part 1 (pp. 647-731)
Penguin Vol II, Pts IV & V (pp. 533–663)

November 14
Norton Book 10 (pp. 607-730)
Oxford Book III, Part 2 (pp. 732-833)
Penguin Vol III, Pt II (pp. 756–910)

November 28
Norton Book 11 (pp.731-826)
Oxford Book III, Part 3 (pp. 881-1001)
Penguin Vol III, Pt III (pp. 911–1033)

December 12
Norton Books 12-13 (pp. 827-910)
Oxford Book IV, Parts 1 and 2 (pp. 1005-1108)
Penguin Vol IV, Pts I & II (pp. 1037–1145)

December 19

Norton Books 14-15 (pp. 911-996), Epilogues 1 and 2 (pp. 997-1074)

Oxford Book IV, Parts 3 and 4 (pp. 1109-1212), Epilogue Parts 1 and 2 (pp. 1215-1308)

Penguin Vol IV, Pts III & IV (pp. 1146–1256) Epilogue, Pts I & II (pp. 1259–1358)

*Please note that we will not be adhering to a second-and-fourth Saturday schedule for this book.

We will meet both in-person and online to discuss each reading. Please register for each individual Zoom session by clicking on the virtual program in the library's event calendar.