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Buddy Reads: Current & Upcoming
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A Weighty Tome: 2019 Challenge: Les Miserables
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haha
too true
Part One Book 2 - The outcastI feel the narrative is starting to move and become recognisable. I can see the descriptive nature of Hugo's writing but don't think of it as unnecessary as yet. It is giving us a really good "picture" of the characters. He uses imagery that i wouldn't have expected - the idea of the Bishop buying his soul (very dark imo) the trance of JVJ and phraseology such as " working on his spirit like a chemical reagent" p117.
The writing is making me want to know more about Hugo - as a person. The tenor of the writing feels like it is something he feels personally and he has so many ways to tell a story. His questions about whether imprisonment is good or bad in itself or whether it is even just.
ETA
I admit I have been pulled in by the storyline so that I have finished part one. I am not going to give too much away for those who haven't got this far. I am enjoying it, I think the translation i have works well for me. I am in awe of those of you going to read the French version especially if it not your first language.
There is a moral tone to the book and many questions are raised, societal questions that I think could stand asking today. Chief among these is around religion and I quote " our society is governed by the precepts of Jesus Christ but not yet imbued with them.
Marie (UK) wrote: "Victoria wrote: "I'll start reading later this month, once I finish a few other books. I also bought myself a nice Waterstones hardback edition for motivation, it was on the expensive side, but I b..."It is!! It’s so nice and pretty on my bookshelf :) I suppose I should stop staring at it and actually take it down and start reading...
I've wanted to read the full book for a long time. I read the abridged version in high school, and loved it. I have a free kindle version right now, but we'll see if I like it or not. Looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks!
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I have read the introduction - my edition is translated by Norman Denny - his translation is generally thought to be good and he says he has tried to s.."
I haven't finished book 1 of Fantine yet,but I wanted to read your comments and say thanks for writing them. I agree about Monseigneur Bienvenue and it is actually nice to have a weighty book of this time start with a decent character! Maybe I've just read too many Dickens ;)
Although I saw the recent movie adaptation, that's my only knowledge of the story and it is a bit hazy in my memory. Mostly I am amazed with the size of this, and the writing is quite dense. I think if I do a book a week to get to the end of Feb it is an hour reading a week. I may have to make use of those break/catch-up months!!!
I have a kindle and audio version, but I'm just using the kindle at the moment. I think I need to get a good feel for the story before switching to audio
Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Marie (UK) wrote: "SECTION 1 BOOK 1I have read the introduction - my edition is translated by Norman Denny - his translation is generally thought to be good and he says he has tried to s.."
I hav..."
thanks Karen. I have become embroiled in the book and am fairly motoring. I have just reached the end of Part 2 but I have kept notes and am going to hold off commenting here until we get to that stage
Marie (UK) wrote: "Jess wrote: "This is one of my favourite books. I don't want to commit to a re-read as I am already tackling War and Peace but I will definitely be checking in to see what everyone think..."I am 60% through War and Peace but have been reading it since October. Taking it slowly between other books.
With regard to translations. I actually have two translations of War and Peace the public domain Maude translation on my kindle and the audiobook of the Constance Garnett translation which I borrowed from the library to help me get through the book quicker. I prefer the Maude translation in most respects. I feel like they use much easier, free-er language and maintain Tolstoy's humour really well (I don't think I've laughed once during the audiobook). However, the Maudes anglicise the names (Andrei to Andrew, Marya to Mary, Nikolai to Nicholas) and it really annoys me. It's not that hard to get to grips with Russian names (even if there are a lot of characters) and I would prefer it to be more authentic
Marie (UK) wrote: "The writing is making me want to know more about Hugo - as a person. The tenor of the writing feels like it is something he feels personally and he has so many ways to tell a story. His questions about whether imprisonment is good or bad in itself or whether it is even just."You should read Hugo's novella The Last Day of a Condemned Man. It's very powerful and reveals a lot of his thoughts on criminal justice and the death penalty.
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame also has many social messages.
IMHO Hugo and Dickens were ahead of their time in their thoughts about society.
I’d like to join! I need to get the book and catch up.
Jess wrote: "Marie (UK) wrote: "The writing is making me want to know more about Hugo - as a person. The tenor of the writing feels like it is something he feels personally and he has so many ways to tell a sto..."I have the The Hunchback of Notre-Dame on my radar
will add the novella thanks
My copy FINALLY arrived - 1700 bible pages & I'm ridiculously excited to get to them!
I was planning on finally defeating this hefty novel this year anyway, how exciting! I’ll have to get started on part 1 in the next few days. Switching between audio and text should help. Good luck everyone!
I am joining in. Been interested in this book for awhile.
Sydney wrote: "I was planning on finally defeating this hefty novel this year anyway, how exciting! I’ll have to get started on part 1 in the next few days. Switching between audio and text should help. Good luck..."use the audio for the historical stuff it might make it more interesting
I finished book one! Not a huge achievement, but it's a start :)
Marie (UK) wrote: "My copy which i splurged on today 
alongside
So two big books this year lol. I am not sure I want to take a year over it but wil..."I liked how this started with Monseigneur Bienvenue who seems to be a really good person. I also like his conversation with G and how it introduced the topic of the revolution. His conversation also seems to be making him think of revolutionaries in a different light.
I'm struggling a bit to really get into story, but it's early yet and I'm sure with a few more chapters (or books) I'll be able to fall more easily into the writing/story.
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2 chapters down - which isn't a lot but it's a start - and I'm liking Monseigneur Bienvenu's manner of giving to people. Though I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Something else has to come into the story soon, he's too saintly haha.
I've finished Book 1! I agree with all of you, I really liked Monseigneur Bienvenue - it's so nice to see someone doing good and I kind of didn't expect this. To be fair, I know absolutely nothing about the story other than a couple of names, and at the moment I'm considering reading up on the general plot before I continue.
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I find it a bit confusing as each book has chapters also so it feels like this first volume is going to take a while :o
Monseigneur Bienvenue is a breathe of fresh air. Usually these books are full of very nasty people.
I really got into the story in book 2 though with the arrival of Jean. I found this book totally captivating. The descriptions of how someone could be imprisoned for such a minor offence, and then treated in such a way that they are actually turned into a dangerous criminal, and then released and essentially forced back into a criminal life. Naturally we know these things now, but at the time I'm sure this would have been something for people to really start considering. What choices were given to Jean after all? I am really looking forward to the development of his character
I've fallen a bit behind with my 'one chapter a day' approach because I've just felt so tired lately (also been working lots).So far I've found it a little difficult to get into the story. Like everyone else apparently, I also like Monseigneur Bienvenue. It's mostly because of his character that I've been able to read want I have.
I'm hoping to catch up to where I should be over the next few days. I'm also hoping that I'll actually want to read more as opposed to I should keep reading, once the story picks up more.
I'm actually just about done book 1 (also lagging behind a little bit) and there is an image that has stuck with me, which I keep going back to. I don't have my English copy on hand for the exact wording but I looked up the French to see whether a more direct meaning could be extracted. "Aucune pourriture n'est possible au diamant", referring of course to Monseigneur Bienvenu. It's just such lovely prose and I wonder how many layers deep it is supposed to go. I can't get it out of my mind. Is it just time to move on or do any of you have thoughts?
Alissa wrote: "I'm actually just about done book 1 (also lagging behind a little bit) and there is an image that has stuck with me, which I keep going back to. I don't have my English copy on hand for the exact w..."I don't speak french and the google translate is not helpful. However the book and many of the characters are multi layered - what you see is not necessarily the whole of the picture.
Marie (UK) wrote: "Alissa wrote: "I'm actually just about done book 1 (also lagging behind a little bit) and there is an image that has stuck with me, which I keep going back to. I don't have my English copy on hand ..."A less appealing (IMHO) alternate translation that I found online is "No Decay Is possible to the diamond" from Book 1, ch xiii.
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Alissa wrote: "Marie (UK) wrote: "Alissa wrote: "I'm actually just about done book 1 (also lagging behind a little bit) and there is an image that has stuck with me, which I keep going back to. I don't have my En..."that is the translation google gave me
I am fully immersed in this book now, I can believe I have never read it before. Hugo deserves nothing but praise. I am just finished Part four - I cannot put it down LOL but will not comment on anything exact until the group reaches the same points
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Although I am going to have a break when I finish Volume 1 - Fantine because that will probably coincide with needing to read for UNO ;)
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I like that Hugo is trying to shine a light on areas of society that many upper class people would not understand.
They would just see a man with a yellow passport, or a woman who left her child behind... and not ever understand the reasons they are essentially forced into those positions.
I liked that Hugo put an end cap to Tholomyes as I had wondered if he would return to the story so I liked those few sentences to let the reader know he won't be coming back to the story and what his future was.
Cosette's story atm is hard to read. I struggle with stories that have abuse or neglect towards children. I'm hoping she gets away from those vile people soon
Javert - and here is the big baddie! ;) I keep seeing Russel Crowe and I'm understanding more how well that movie was cast as I can see each actor in these characters.
There are many great lines, but so far this has been one of my favourites:
The peasants of Asturias are convinced that in every litter of wolves there is one dog, which is killed by the mother because, otherwise, as he grew up, he would devour the other little ones.
Give this dog-son of a wolf a human face and the result will be Javert".
Volume 1 Book 2I've now finished this and once again, I totally agree with everyone saying it's starting to get really captivating! I've done some research for Uni on prison reform in the 18th/19th century and Hugo definitely wasn't in the majority with his criticism of the system. And it's honestly quite scary that similar things still happen with people being imprisoned for very minor crimes (and what even counts as a crime) - I can totally see how this is still relevant today just from that aspect alone.
OMG i have finished my review is here - I've tried not to give anything away BUT don't read it if you are worried https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I will join in the discussion through the year but i just couldn't stop reading
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I've got to the end of volume 1, book 1. Currently I'm not seeing much narrative, but I'm sure that will come.
There's currently an adaptation on the BBC that I'm tempted to watch so I have an idea of the plot and can concentrate on enjoying the language and issues that Hugo raises. I still have the film on my list of things to watch
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I've finally managed to move my Penguin Classic paperback from the bottom of the pile on my bookshelf (I pile them vertically to get as many in as possible!) to my bedside table. It's odd having a Penguin Classic without any footnotes, but the paper is SOOO thin and the print SOOO small and the book SOOO big that it would be ridiculous with more words stuffed between the covers!
I shall be starting it shortly, but need to got do some more wrist-strenghtening exercises first! ;-P
Marie: wowzers! You manage to finish before Himself retired?
Sophie: I'm totally going to watch the Beeb series, not least so that I can read without expecting a rousing chorus of Do You Hear the People Sing? to break out! I very much enjoy the musical and am looking forward to reading the text to see how some of the choices that the librettist (??? is that the word?? the guy who wrote the songs) made arose from the source text (view spoiler)
Cat wrote: "Hi all!I've finally managed to move my Penguin Classic paperback from the bottom of the pile on my bookshelf (I pile them vertically to get as many in as possible!) to my bedside table. It's odd h..."
His retirement starts tomorrow Cat
I will watch the series now I have finished the book. I didn't want it to spoil the book
Wow, great job Marie!I'm only in Book 3 and finding it more captivating but still very slow pushing through it. It doesn't help that I just haven't had much time to read lately.
I really liked Book 2 with Jean Valjean but had a difficult time focusing because I kept being reminded of the scene that takes place in the musical with the bishop and Valjean and kept wanting to burst into song - I have a feeling that's going to happen a lot. I grew up listening to Les Mis since my mom didn't like having the radio on in the car so we listened to musicals and Les Mis was always a favourite :)
Something that really stuck out to me in book 2 was towards the end when Valjean took that little boys money and regretted it, seeing clearing what he had become. It was a very moving scene to read and the first thing that I remember from my previous failed attempt to read this book.
Victoria wrote: "I kept being reminded of the scene that takes place in the musical with the bishop and Valjean and kept wanting to burst into song"This comment makes me kind of glad I could never make it through the movie (and haven't seen the musical either) 😂
You just have to see the musical after you finish the book! And the play/musical is a lot better than the movie in my opinion (assuming you have a good cast).
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haha!
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and I almost missed my train stop I was so absorbed!
What an ending to the volume. Sheesh. I honestly don't remember a lot from the movie (view spoiler)
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Book 1 is rather long, I agree. Once you get through his story and into the second book and meet Jean the pace steps up
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Just finished Book 1, so I guess it can only go a little faster from here on out ;-)
I finished Book 1 yesterday and have read the first chapter of Book 2.
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I quite liked chapter VIII - the description/metaphor of the drowning man. It was really well done.
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Book 2 - Chapter IX - very last paragraph
"Libération n'est pas délivrance. On sort du bagne, mais non de la condamnation."
I loved this. And it is so true, even today. Valjean may have been released from prison but the condemnation he suffered follows him wherever he goes, even after he suffered through his punishment.
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Block text with a million names that generally left me feeling a little "huh?!"
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Oh yes the introduction to Fantine. Don’t worry too much about all the names - they disappear quickly - I think the main point is about Fantine and how she ends up in her predicament
I think it took me just as long to read all the footnotes to that chapter as to read the thing itself 😂
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Hahaha, can imagine!!
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Anna Karenina (other topics)Les Misérables (other topics)
War and Peace (other topics)
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (other topics)
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (other topics)
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I think if you are finding it readable I would stick with it. It is good that there is a choice.