A Literary Classic Reimagined

In a project that began as a personal joke in 2018, a Melbourne-based IT worker is gaining international attention for his unconventional translation of Leo Tolstoy's literary masterpiece, "War and Peace." Ander Louis, the pen name for Andrew Tesoriero, is meticulously rewriting the epic 1,200-page novel, set during Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia, into a modern Australian vernacular known as 'bogan'. The project, which replaces Russian aristocrats with 'sheilas' (women) and 'drongos' (fools), is now on the verge of a significant book deal, transforming a humorous hobby into a potential publishing success.

From Private Joke to Viral Phenomenon

Tesoriero, 39, embarked on the translation primarily for his own amusement. "The number one reason I started doing it was to make me laugh, and I thought if it's making me laugh, maybe other people will too," he told the BBC. He began self-publishing his work in 2019, but it initially failed to find an audience. The project was largely abandoned until April 2025, when it was discovered on the social media platform Reddit and quickly went viral, attracting a global following. Tesoriero insists his version is a faithful, line-by-line translation, with the only change being the narrator's voice—that of a "massive bogan." He argues that readers of his version can legitimately claim to have read Tolstoy's classic, just with an Australian accent.

Understanding 'Bogan' Culture

The term 'bogan' is a complex and significant piece of Australian slang that emerged in the 1980s. While its exact origins are unknown, it is generally used to describe a person whose speech, clothing, and behaviour are considered unrefined or unsophisticated. Initially carrying negative connotations and associated with working-class stereotypes, the term has evolved. In some contexts, it is now used with a sense of pride, identifying with a rough-around-the-edges, authentic Australian identity. This cultural nuance is central to Louis's translation, which injects a specific, informal, and humorous tone into Tolstoy's dense prose.

The Enduring Significance of 'War and Peace'

First published in serial form between 1865 and 1869, Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written. The panoramic work of historical fiction chronicles the Napoleonic Wars' impact on several Russian aristocratic families, weaving their personal stories of love, loss, and ambition into the grand tapestry of historical events. Tolstoy conducted extensive research, including visiting battlefields, to achieve a high level of realism. The novel explores profound themes such as the nature of history, free will, and the search for meaning in the face of suffering, making it a timeless and universal work.

A New Wave of Literary Adaptation

Louis's project joins a growing trend of reinterpreting classic literature for contemporary audiences. These adaptations often aim to make dense or archaic texts more accessible, or to explore them from new perspectives, such as giving voice to previously silenced characters. Recent examples include Percival Everett's "James," which retells "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from the perspective of the enslaved character Jim, and feminist retellings of Greek myths. While some purists may object to such reinterpretations, they play a crucial role in keeping classic stories relevant and engaging for new generations of readers. Tesoriero hopes his translation will encourage people who found the original unapproachable to experience Tolstoy's story. As of Saturday, 15 November 2025, EAT, he has translated the first two of the novel's sixteen books and is live-streaming his progress on the third.