THE SMALLEST AND THE GREATEST

Books, that is. You've already heard about the 151-page book I was reading a few days ago, Face of a Hero by Pierre Roulle, published in 1956. Although it is a short work, it was nevertheless taking its time in letting me get through it. What long words he used, not difficult ones, just long, with many -ment's, -ion's, -ty's, etc., suffixes that in good writing we are taught to avoid. It was suspense and actually a murder mystery, but that crept up on the reader. I would not call it a thriller, by any means, because of these very reasons. On the other hand, I finally did appreciate it after the reading. I had wondered who this hero was who had the face, and what about his face? I didn't understand that title, till the end of the last chapter. If it is the only book around for you to read, fine, read it. Otherwise, don't waste your time unless you are into literature in a big way. 

Before that book, I completed reading The Coffee Trader, also on my shelves for years and years. These two books have been donated to the library here where I live. Someone will perhaps enjoy them.

But now the greatest novel. Tolstoy's War and Peace has been in my possession for many years, possibly 40 years, and I have not read it. I have begun it--am on page 14--but I must tell you about the surgery I worked upon it last night. Its 1,483 total pages, including notes and aids--which one does want to read in this book--all this in a soft cover format with tiny margins on the pages, was entirely too much to hold for reading. So, I began tearing the book apart. So far, only Book 1 and Book 2, a total of 213 pages, have been separated from the rest. There are 15 books, plus the first epilogue and then a second one. My plan is not to have 15 separate books, but perhaps seven or eight . I would like to have each little book professionally hardbound for future readers. In seven or eight different colors. But such doings are a long way off. 

But the thing is to read the book. These first pages I've covered so far are one scene at a Russian soiree with several rooms in the setting and much laughter and talking, and lovely dresses and splendid uniforms. Tolstoy is also quite good at describing faces as Pierre Roulle was in his work. Imagine (in this one) a beautiful sister who has an ugly brother, but they have the same features! I will not be retelling the story for you as I read it, but I might point out something significant, such as a character in the first paragraph's declaring Napoleon is the Antichrist. Well, the title tells us the story will be about war and peace. Do you suppose any anno Domino world leader, especially a conqueror in time of war, has not been called the Antichrist? I doubt it. These guests at the soiree are smug in their safety, but we'll see how their world turns upside down. 

I can hardly wait to get the book read, for I also possess the film version of this story in Russian. (Have had it for several years too, but not more than 15 perhaps.) It is expert photography and one can get much of the story without knowing the language.

If any of my members will be reading this masterpiece too, or have read it, I'd love to know about it. Your input would be welcome. You will finish the task much faster than I, of course. And now to read before bed.