The War & Peace Readalong: Week Nine

Short update this time because of Easter weekend, which means speed-reading marathon, which means sleep deprivation, which means UGH SO TIRED.  I'm only going to answer 75% of the prompts because I'm physically feeling 75% too.  I really need to practice better sleep hygiene too - any tips on how to get a better night's sleep?

1)  With the multiple deaths, this week started to feel a little more like Tolstoy was starting to wrap up some of his characters' stories. How do you feel about the way Helene's death was dealt with compared to Andrew's?

Yes, but by "wrap up", you mean "kill off" so Tolstoy wouldn't have to tie up any loose ends, right? I hated the Helene's death was like sudden one-off in conversation: "Oh, a pregnancy-related illness, you say? What a shame." It's so lazy!  That's what you get for making up 600 characters, Tolstoy!  Her death was lazy and made her seem insignificant.

Andrei's death, on the other hand, was drawn out compared to Helene's. Natasha and Marya note that he looks soft and at peace. He gives Marya his blessings. He is prayed over by Marya and cared for by Natasha, departing in peace and completeness. Yes, he had more screen time in the overall story, but I was disappointed that the deaths of the women in the story seemed inconsequential compared to the dudes.

2)  I certainly wouldn't go so far as to call myself a Pierre fan but his experiences as a prisoner were quite moving. How do you think Pierre is going to fare as we approach the end of the novel?

Oh yeah, Pierre got caught for drunkenly trying to pull off Napoleon's assassination and now the French think that he is a spy. I rarely took Pierre seriously, so I was shocked when his experience in prison actually led up to an execution!  I'm just as confused as Pierre is by the sudden pardoning and relocation. Did I skip something?

I've been giving him the benefit of the doubt, hoping that Helene's infidelity, run-in with the Freemasons, and the shock of being on the battlefield would make him a little smarter when it comes to making choices, but then he gets into even more trouble with the French. He has poor impulse control, makes terrible life decisions, and is one of the most irrational characters I've ever come across. I want things to fare well for Pierre, but I wouldn't be surprised if he finds himself in yet another crazy situation!

3)  Now the competition's opened back up, who are you backing for Nicholas Rostov's future wife, rich heiress Mary or devoted Sonya? 

Oh dear, who do I feel more pity for? Marya is a sweet, pious girl who had a difficult time under the rule of her oppressive father. Sonya is devoted to Nikolai, though she is being emotionally coerced by the Rostovs into giving up Nikolai (most likely so the Rostovs can access Marya's wealth).  I feel bad for Sonya, but I'm backing Marya here because Nikolai actually reciprocates Marya's feelings.