Just then, Prince Andrei rocked up to Anna's joint. He was the pregnant sheila's hubby. Like his missus, he was pretty good looking himself.
Those lines are straight from a new translation of Leo Tolstoy's epic novel War & Peace, but this version, translated by Ander Louis, takes it to a uniquely Australian realm.
The 39-year-old Melbourne IT worker, whose real name is Andrew Tesoriero, has poured a metaphorical can of Australian beer over the 19th-century prose, converting the language of Russian nobility into a relatable dialect that echoes the popular Aussie sitcom Kath & Kim.
Starting the project in 2018 as a light-hearted endeavor, Louis transformed Russian princesses into 'sheilas' and princes into 'drongos'. He now stands on the brink of securing a book deal.
I thought if it's making me laugh, maybe other people will too, so let’s put it out into the world, he laughs.
Despite its initial negative connotation of being unsophisticated, Louis affectionately embraces the term 'bogan.' His irreverent adaptation aims to make the classic novel fun and accessible, starting with the phrase bloody hell, used frequently in his engaging retelling.
Years of avoiding the tome due to its size, Louis became an unexpected expert after joining an online reading community where he read a chapter daily. His unique take on the text went viral earlier this year after excerpts were shared on social media, spurring interest in his Australian version.
Louis argues that bogan slang is more inclusive than one might think, connecting it to different social classes—whether in modern Australia or Russian aristocracy.
His work challenges literary conventions while providing readers a path to engage with classic literature in a wholly new way. By tossing the traditional formalities aside, Louis invites readers into a story traditionally laden with elitism, turning it into an all-inclusive, light-hearted romp among the upper echelons of society.
