Read Along: Les Miserables

[Tien]

Wondering if any of you, good people of Pick-a-Shelf, would be interested in a Les Miserables Read Along before the movie comes out at the end of this year?

http://tiensblurb.wordpress.com/2012/...

[Bea]

Oh, yes! MAYBE I could actually finish this book!

[[deleted user]]

The abridged or unabridged version? Either way, I'm interested.

[Tien]

@Bea: I know I need the support - I picked it up years ago and only managed a few pages ;p And since I really had fun with Anna Karenina read along, I thought a read along will probably the only way for me to read this cover to cover.

@Michael: I'm planning on unabridged (which is why I've allocated approx 2.5 months) but feel free to go for the abridged, if you like.

[[deleted user]]

I'll read the unabridged too. I'm not a big fan of abridgments unless there's a very good reason for it. Les Miserables has always intimidated me a little, but I'll give it my best.

[Coralie]

I finished it just last week. Although I won't be reading with you, I would be happy to discuss it with you.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I would love to read the unabridged edition. Just let me know which edition you all pick and I will get a copy of it. How quickly are you all planning to read it?

[Tien]

@Coralie: Would love to have your perspective :)

@Lyn: I think you'd just get whatever edition you can - hopefully they should be similar ;p

My blog post has the schedule but it's about one volume every 2 weeks starting 15th Sept.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

That sounds like a great schedule, I will check out your blog for the "official" one. Which version are you reading?

[Tien]

This one Les Miserables

We should be finished about a couple of weeks before the movie is released ;)

[Dee]

that isn't available on kindle - anyone have a rec for similar?

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I know, it isn't available in e-book form at all. I actually couldn't find an e-reader copy that I liked, so I went and bought the paperback.

[Dee]

yeah, for a 1400 page book paper so ain't happening...lol!

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

That's what I thought, too, but I couldn't find a translation that I liked in e-format.

[Bea]

I got as far as page 440, Tien...but that left approximately 1000 pages yet to read! Maybe a read along will help me stay on track. I have found it interesting...just too BIG!

[Bea]

Lyn M wrote: "I know, it isn't available in e-book form at all. I actually couldn't find an e-reader copy that I liked, so I went and bought the paperback."

The only e-book I found and started turned out to be abridged so I went back to the real book.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Bea wrote: "Lyn M wrote: "I know, it isn't available in e-book form at all. I actually couldn't find an e-reader copy that I liked, so I went and bought the paperback."

The only e-book I found and started tu..."

YA, I was finding the same thing, Bea.

[Dee]

supposedly the Hapgood translations are a good one and there are several of those available on kindle - I got that from someone on the mobileforums

[Tien]

I didn't realise that it's not that easy to find a good translation on ebook! I'm glad I have a copy on hand to begin with ;)

[Bea]

Tien wrote: "I didn't realise that it's not that easy to find a good translation on ebook! I'm glad I have a copy on hand to begin with ;)"

I have been reading my library's copy. However, if I read it much more, I will probably wear it out! Anyway, I think I am the only one checking it out.

[[deleted user]]

I just got my copy in the mail today. Looking forward to starting.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I just got my copy in the mail today, too. At the same time I received an e-mail from the store saying that the shipment of my book had been delayed. Imagine that. Hope I don't end up with two copies, lol.

[Julinda]

I have been meaning to read this book for a long time, would love to get it read before the year. Count me in.

[Dee]

I ended up going with the Denny translation - since it was a trade paperback size - vice the mass market paperback of the signet classic - so it'll be interesting to see the comparision

[Karen]

I must be losing my marbles, I thought I'd already said I was up for this but obviously not.

I'm in, there I definitely did it this time.

[Dee]

Tien - any chance of getting the first lot of discussion questions soon - since we are supposed to be finishing this section on Friday - I'll like to get my blog post prepped ;) thx!!

[Tien]

Dee wrote: "Tien - any chance of getting the first lot of discussion questions soon - since we are supposed to be finishing this section on Friday - I'll like to get my blog post prepped ;) thx!!"

I'll try to get something up tonight / tomorrow, Dee... you could get started with your initial thoughts on this section ;)

The discussion questions won't take long to answer, I don't think (I've not quite decided which ones to post LOL).

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Oh crap, I need to get caught up, lol. As always, Dee, you are way ahead of me.

[Dee]

not really - just trying to be proactive since my time is limited now with dissertation writing

[Tien]

Dee wrote: "not really - just trying to be proactive since my time is limited now with dissertation writing"

Ooh, what are you studying, Dee? & what's your dissertation on?

[Dee]

I/O Psychology - and my research question is - how do individuals describe the experience of member change in face to face workplace teams - its a qualitative study - since lots of stats based research, but not a lot of descriptive

[Tien]

Dee wrote: "I/O Psychology - and my research question is - how do individuals describe the experience of member change in face to face workplace teams - its a qualitative study - since lots of stats based rese..."

Interesting Q, Dee!
I've working with my one & only colleague for over 6 years but I see other departments with high turnover in staff.
Have you just started? What's your due date?
Good luck, btw :D

[Dee]

i'm in my proposal phase right now - i had some of it approved, but ran into some recruiting issues, so I had to adjust my methodology from a case study to a generic inquiry and now the school has changed some of the process stuff

my goal is Dec 2013 - fingers crossed

[Tien]

All the best for your dissertation, Dee...

My Les Mis post won't be live til tomorrow night but here are the Qs (you could take them as light or deep as you wish!)

1.What do you think of Bishop Myriel? He’s definitely described as being truly saintly; I’m wondering if there’s any pessimistic reader out there?
2. For those of you who are reading this for the first time, was there any assumptions you have made previously from whatever source which was just incorrect? Was there anything which surprises you from the past week’s readings?
3. What do you think of the contrast between Javert & Valjean?
4. What has been the high point for you this week? Any quote/s which bowled you over this week?

[Dee]

gracias!!! i'm almost done with Fantine, so this is great

[Tien]

You're welcome... I'm off... to sleep with Les Mist soundtrack, if I can find it somewhere in the house! :)

[Dee]

I was totally singing the soundtrack in my head as I was reading...have you seen the 10th anniversary concert from royal albert hall that they did?

[Dee]

I finished up fantine last night - so yay for a night off before starting Cosette! I was surprised how easy it was to keep to the reading schedule - I think I figured it out with my version, it was about 20 pages a night and it flowed really well and I found myself easily reading more than that

[Bea]

Feeling the need to check in. I have gotten bogged down on Marius. Seems like Mr. Victor Hugo has started another book. I am sure it will all tie together, and that I haven't read enough into Marius to begin to see the connection, but I wish it would happen soon.

Tien, where are you posting the questions? On your blog? I really need to get off Goodreads and check out the rest of the world. :)

[Dee]

i'm like super far behind - the last few haven't been good for reading...i'm going to stay with the read-along but I probably won't finish until after you guys now

[Tien]

don't worry, Dee... I'm plodding along at snail's pace and I'd have to say the last 2 volumes and especially this week's one (Marius) have not been encouraging at all ;p

[Bea]

I enjoyed Cosette once we got past Waterloo,,,maybe Marius will be the same.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Obviously I had to bow out. I haven't even gotten 25 pages in Cosette read yet. :( Too many other things taking up my time.

[Tien]

@Bea - I liked the last bit of Marius but really, he's such a wimp!

@Lyn - not to worry, just keep on reading at your own pace! Don't give up :)

[Maggie the Muskoka Library Mouse]

This book was SUCH a commitment read. It took me a couple weeks to finish, but the writing was great. At some points, I found the history aspect a little dull, but the character development was worth wading through the boring bits.