Les Miserables

[Miranda]

The kindle edition might have footnotes or something. Different editions have different numbers of pages; if it's unabridged it should be complete! I got my e-book version from Project Gutenberg, and it's almost 1400 pages including footnotes.

[Miranda]

By the way, I just finished! Holy cow, that was a long book. Worth the read, though.

[Lisa, the usurper]

Good job Miranda! What did you think of it?

[Dustin]

Miranda wrote: "By the way, I just finished! Holy cow, that was a long book. Worth the read, though."

Wow, big-big congratulations, Miranda!!:)
I'd love to hear your thoughts on it, as well.

[Miranda]

That's weird; I thought I posted my thoughts, but it didn't show up. Sorry if this shows up twice.

I really liked it. I've always been a fan of these long, sweeping novels with lots of characters (Tolstoy and Dickens are among my faves), but this was my first Hugo novel. The plot was excellent, great characters-- I'm still stuck on how much I loved the priest from the beginning of the book. The ending was very satisfying and uplifting.

I could have done without some of those long historical and political lessons though.

[Dustin]

Miranda wrote: "That's weird; I thought I posted my thoughts, but it didn't show up. Sorry if this shows up twice.

I really liked it. I've always been a fan of these long, sweeping novels with lots of characters..."


Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing!

I also love a good long, sweeping story with an abundance of well-rounded characters (I prefer them over your average, 300-400 page novel, actually.)
I'm so happy that you enjoyed it very much! Your words and enthusiasm give me hope that perhaps one day, I can conquer this beast, as well!


Yeah, the excessive history lessons are what intimidate me!

[Lisa, the usurper]

I must say that I just started reading about Thenardier family and they are just loathsome. I know that I'm not very far into the book, but Hugo really gives them no redeeming qualities.

[Dustin]

Lisa wrote: "I must say that I just started reading about Thenardier family and they are just loathsome. I know that I'm not very far into the book, but Hugo really gives them no redeeming qualities."

So are you liking it so far, Lisa?

[Margaret DC]

Kelly wrote: "I read book one every 5 years. Ended up reading the whole thing 20 years after staring it for the first time."

I've been working on this for about 8 years at this point

[Lisa, the usurper]

Margaret DC wrote: "Kelly wrote: "I read book one every 5 years. Ended up reading the whole thing 20 years after staring it for the first time."

I've been working on this for about 8 years at this point"

I have to ask, do you remember the beginning of the book? :)

[Margaret DC]

@lisa - I absolutely remember the beginning of the book because it was so compelling .... The priest' s faith &humility along with jean valjean's struggle to overcome his dark side were very moving and touched me deeply ... I don't thnk I could ever cor f
forget it!

[Lisa, the usurper]

I finally was able to watch the movie yesterday and really enjoyed it! I would never have picked some of the actors for those parts!

[Dustin]

Yay, I found the thread! Thank you, again, Lisa!

[Dustin]

Lisa wrote: "How is everyone doing with this one? I have made it about 10% of the way through and the introduction of Jean Valjean has been interesting. He is quite the "dark" hero."

A "dark" hero, eh? I am intrigued!

[Dustin]

Lisa wrote: "I'm waiting to see the movie until I finish the book, which might be in 2018, but I want to finish it. That will be the plan then!"

I want to see the film after I've finished the book, as well.

[Dustin]

Lisa wrote: "Gilles wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I'm still only towards the first, and I do love the story, but it also surprises me how 'preachy' Victor Hugo is - in fact, I kind of feel like he wrote the story to ..."

Yes, this seems very common with most Classic literature . I thought they got paid by the letter or word, as opposed to pages, actually.

[Dustin]

Lisa wrote: "I just finished the Waterloo section and had a massive flashback to War and Peace. That was quite the explanation of the battle and I have to admit that I skimmed many parts of it. I f..."

How bad it the Waterloo section, exactly? I'm encouraged to know that it picks up a bit after that.

[Dustin]

I want to thank everyone for your insight into the book. It's been fun! I look forward to discussing this tome with you sometime in 2014.

[Lisa, the usurper]

The Waterloo section is long, it seems to span way too many pages, but the pace quickens after that. Of course, I'm not that far into it after that, so don't take my word for it! Valjean is an interesting literary character. I think that he also could be a reluctant hero, even though he has been to prison, he still has a conscience and remembers how to care and love. It could be a form of penance maybe?

[Dustin]

Than you, Lisa.:) Do you happen to know the length of the Waterloo section? It's not like 100 pages, is it? Ahh.. the reluctant hero. I like the sound of that, as well!
Like the Atlas Shrugged threads, I just know these are going to be truly invaluable, encouraging, and will keep me going.:)

[Everyman]

For those who got part way through but want a chance for additional discussion or want a new incentive to read it, the Chunksters group will be starting to read this sometime early next year.

[Lisa, the usurper]

Everyman wrote: "For those who got part way through but want a chance for additional discussion or want a new incentive to read it, the Chunksters group will be starting to read this sometime early next year."

Thanks for that Everyman. I would like to finish this next year and they might give the inspiration.

[Dustin]

Lisa wrote: "Everyman wrote: "For those who got part way through but want a chance for additional discussion or want a new incentive to read it, the Chunksters group will be starting to read this sometime early..."

Please feel free to join us, Lisa!

[Dustin]

Lisa- I am super stoked, as I WILL be giving Les Mis my all, later this year! I placed my order last night (along with Don Quixote and King's Joyland!!!)

[Dustin]

My copy arrived last night!!!

[Lisa, the usurper]

Dustin wrote: "My copy arrived last night!!!"

I love that excitement and feeling when a new book shows up. Just the best!

[Dustin]

Lisa wrote: "Dustin wrote: "My copy arrived last night!!!"

I love that excitement and feeling when a new book shows up. Just the best!"

It's the best!!!

[Margaret DC]

Lisa wrote: "Margaret DC wrote: "Kelly wrote: "I read book one every 5 years. Ended up reading the whole thing 20 years after staring it for the first time."

I've been working on this for about 8 years at this..."

Lisa wrote: "Margaret DC wrote: "Kelly wrote: "I read book one every 5 years. Ended up reading the whole thing 20 years after staring it for the first time."

I've been working on this for about 8 years at this..."

Absolutely I remember the beginning of the book ... It's one of the best books I've ever read which is why I keep plugging away!

[Margaret DC]

Dustin wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I just finished the Waterloo section and had a massive flashback to War and Peace. That was quite the explanation of the battle and I have to admit that I skimmed many part..."

Dustin wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I just finished the Waterloo section and had a massive flashback to War and Peace. That was quite the explanation of the battle and I have to admit that I skimmed many part..."

Thanks for sharing that you skimmed some of the Waterloo parts ... I felt almost like I was cheating when I did that but that was I think the only way I could get through it

[Maggie the Muskoka Library Mouse]

This is a long and tedious read, with a lot of historical detail woven throughout. It took me a very long while to read, and at times I slogged through it. I think the character development in Jean Valjean is good, but Cosette and Marius really annoy me.