War and Peace is a must

one of my most admired teachers used to tell us "you will never be academics if you don't read War and Peace". Well, it's longer than the month of fasting, about 1500 pages. It took me all my vacation to finish it (doing nothing else, day in day out). But as i think back, it's worth every second spent on it (vacations be damned! Ben franklin said "there is sleeping enouph in the grave"). it's a masterpiece by el hadj Leo Tolstoy. a historical novel par excellence. many interesting aspects of Russian life and culture. and Natasha the heroine will not leave you alone for the rest of your life. One of the books that stand the test of time and appeal to you with energy and passion. Poor Leo, one of the bright stars in the chilly Russian sky

Let me first thank u for the post. You really drove my attention with this book. BUT 1500 pages I don't think that I currently have time to read them. I'll add War and peace to my reading list (perhaps I'll spend the next summer vacations reading it!!) Inchallah.
Thank you again aspire

You will not regret it Sabine, u have my word of honour. i also try to steal a few days out of my routine to read his other gigantic Anna Karénine. Thanks a lot for the nice words. cheers!

Thanks for the very interesting post. But for God's sake, WHY????????
For the first time I get the chance to talk about literature in this forum, I didn't get the chance to read it AHHHHHHHHHHHHH


1500 pages, you're very courageous Aspire
They have to put me in jail and have enough free time, in order for me to have a chance to read it

Just kidding. Now, you have to tell us about it! What is it about (hope not only about politics and blood and stuff ??)

Again, keep it up. You're doing great

Well, that's encouragement indeed! thank you all.
Sassy, i'm dead sure u read an armada of books (judging from your invaluable posts in all fields), and if they put you in jail (may God forbid), it's because you read too much ( a serious crime in our part of the world), and they will not provide you with any reading material (may be ennahar or asch chorouk if you r lucky).
The book is about the (in)famous Napoleonic campaign to Russia, but no it 's not just blood and gore. There is love (all kinds of it__one sided, betrayed, romantic, etc), and there is irony too. The Russians so patriotic and dogged in their resistance to the French, yet using French with pride in their private salons. A girl earnestly wishing the death of her authoritative father (a strict colonel) thinking he prefers her brother, while in his death throes all he wants is a final glimpse at her innocent sweet face. there is irony galore! Natasha, after years of engagement to a handsome captain, and loads of daydreaming and wishes, marries a naive but kind giant of a man (Pierre). etc etc etc
cheers!

Worth to have a try, thanks aspire for sharing.
1500 Pages............Oh My God

Thank you princess. on an average of one hundred pages a day, you finish it in a fortnight (next vacation may be). and the fun of it will not let away until your eyes no longer follow the lines.
Good luck smiling princess

@ Aspire You're too kind but I am sure I've read almost nothing compared to you machaAllah

Oh, since it's romantic so I may give it a try

thanks and good luck!

this seems so great and due to the insistings of your teacher I'm sure it's great
for the matter of pages it's just a matter of recognizing a special time per day if we have the dare to read it in a month it will be 50 pages per day
I think it's better than 100 pages and as I think the suitable lenght or period for reading books is a month
talking about myself If I read 100 pages per day I'm sure I would be sick after one week and if I did it I'm sure I would forget what i've read easily
thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Aspire good luck you too ha......Mashaallah hats off

God bless you karim, and thanks for the advice and the post