Professor David Peimer
‘War and Peace’: Masterpiece of World Literature?
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Summary
We all know the title, the author. But, in our internet speed of life, do we have time to read it? Tolstoy’s novel is set during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia and his subsequent influence on Tsarist society. Through a myriad cast of characters, War and Peace explores power, history, war, philosophy, and family against the shifting sands of great historical change. Are we part of the wave of history, or its mere foam? In this lecture we delve into why this iconic masterpiece of fiction (based on history) opens a remarkably incisive gaze into the inner workings of history and how everyone, in every class, is irrevocably changed. Just like our times?
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published numerous books, including Armed Response: Plays from South Africa and the digital book Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.