Hard to believe

[cmb]

When you read the earlier edition of War and Peace, you'll be glad Tolstoy changed it later. Andrei does not die, but Natasha though she nurses him, tells him, she no longer loves him. She and Pierre do get married. The characters are altered by this change. Andrei still loves Natasha but she rejects his suit. Then he tells Pierre so and Pierre being his best friend, figures that since Andrei says it's ok he can pursue her. WHAT??!!!! This earlier edition has a "happier" outcome but the characters are so much less satisfying. Having Natasha really love Andrei, etc., gives her character depth which she lacks in the earlier draft. Andrei seems kind of pathetic in his survival, and Pierre, who's learned so much being a POW, suddenly disregards friendship and becomes an opportunist. Bravo to Tolstoy for realizing that his final draft, though heartbreaking, is a much more satisfying story!

[cidkid]

"' I can't see Andrey happy with Natasha , not after Anatol's adventure with her '.

Actually, with regard to that point, Andrey has already forgiven both Natasha and Anatol (remember the operation station where Andrey sees Anatol's leg being amputated ? )."

Olichka, in the version I just finished reading, I don't know if it's the same, but it doesn't actually acknowledge that Andrei knew that it was Dholokov. Just that he was there, and what happened, but not at all that the prince recognised him, on the contrary it mentions a few times in the previous hundred pages or so from that scene that Andrei wanted to "meet" him, to see him. I don't think he ever knew he was watching his enemy after amputation.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

A popular quip in Texas states “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, but why should anyone be surprised in this?

The “dawning of the age of Aquarius” has evolved into the age of the instant gratification, flowery outcomes, reality TV society prevailing upon our lives.
Patience was known to be a virtue, but it has been sidelined for being too slow; an annoyance for a society that is longing to be abridged.

I suppose that if this hastened version becomes popular, we will no longer be able to use another popular phrase; “it’s not like you have to read War and Peace (Society?)” in response to someone’s whining about completing an assignment or a chore.

Gilliatt

[cidkid]

popular in Texas states eh?

[bazarov]

"' I can't see Andrey happy with Natasha , not after Anatol's adventure with her '.

Actually, with regard to that point, Andrey has already forgiven both Natasha and Anatol (remember the operation station where Andrey sees Anatol's leg being amputated ? )."

One thing is to forgive, and to be happy with that person again is something totally different. Something almost impossible.