2024: April-June: Hefty: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Our second quarter hefty read is Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. It is one of the greatest and most sensitively written novels of the 19th Century.

The story is centered on the character, Jean Valjean, a societal victim, persecuted throughout his life for a petty crime he committed, even after serving his penal servitude. Through the life of John Valjohn and other characters, Hugo has explored human justice and the inadequacy of the law to protect the vulnerable, the social apathy for human suffering, divine justice, and redemption. Through many subplots, Hugo paints a true picture of the Parisian society of the 19th century. Set between 1815 and 1832, the story's culminating point is the Paris uprising of 1832 known as the June Rebellion.

Victor-Marie Hugo (26 February 1802 – 22 May 1885) is a French novelist, poet, dramatist and politician. He is considered the most important Romantic writer of France. Among his works, the most celebrated are Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

Source: Wikipedia

[Mike]

I'm underway with a coffee this morning. I'm reading Christine Donougher's Penguin Classics translation. This tome is going to be hard on the carpel tunnel and arthritis but I'm sure it'll be worth the discomfort.

[Jen]

I'm tempted by this book, and I saw that this translation Les Misérables is highly rated and described as updating the language making it more accessible. For me, there's some appeal in that especially given the daunting size of the book. Then again, I see the Donougher has received a translation prize...
In any case, I will probably not find the time this quarter but appreciate the group stirring my interest.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Mike wrote: "I'm underway with a coffee this morning. I'm reading Christine Donougher's Penguin Classics translation. This tome is going to be hard on the carpel tunnel and arthritis but I'm sure it'll be worth..."

Great to have you in, Mike. I hope you'll enjoy the read (if it's not a rereading). It's one of the most beautiful books that I've read.
Please let me know how you like the translation. I own a different penguin translation. I saw the edition you've mentioned on Kindle for a low price. I'd like to buy it.

[Lorraine]

I will be joining you sometime in May. Earlier if possible.

[Pam, Southwest Enchanter]

I do plan to read this book this year but won't likely get started until May. I have a few library books (Latin American classics) on hold that I want to read first. I am really looking forward to it but need to not have any distractions (i.e. other books). This book is my husband's all-time favorite! He's been encouraging for me to read it for many years. I also have the Christine Donougher's translation. I hope everyone enjoys it!

[Melanie]

I wasn't going to join in on this one, but Piyangie made it sound so tempting that I think I might. I read this in high school but I'm pretty sure it was an abridged version. Like Mike I have some arm issues. Three and a half weeks ago I fell and suffered multiple fractures to my humerus. My arm is in a sling, so this will make manipulating a tome more challenging. Maybe I'll just leave it in a special place on my desk.

[Mike]

Piyangie wrote: "Great to have you in, Mike. I hope you'll enjoy the read (if it's not a rereading). It's one of the most beautiful books that I've read.
Please let me know how you like the translation. I own a different penguin translation. I saw the edition you've mentioned on Kindle for a low price. I'd like to buy it."

It is a first read for me, and one I've been meaning to get around to for some time. Nothing like a group read to push a book to the top of the TBR! I have some passing knowledge of the basic plot courtesy of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (a recurring character is obsessed with Inspector Javert) but I've never seen the musical.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Melanie wrote: "I wasn't going to join in on this one, but Piyangie made it sound so tempting that I think I might. I read this in high school but I'm pretty sure it was an abridged version. Like Mike I have some ..."

So sorry to hear this Melanie. Wish you a speedy recovery. I can well understand the daunting task of holding the book in your condition. Still, I'm glad that you've decided to join in, and doubly so because I have succeeded in tempting you to read it. I offer no apologies since I believe it's a must-read for every reader. :)

[Melanie]

Thanks, Piyangie! So many classics are tempting!

[Book Nerd, Purple Book Horse]

I think this is the first book I read with the group a few years ago. It's a long read but worth it.

[r. a.]

I'm starting in May!

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

r. a. wrote: "I'm starting in May!"

Glad to have you joining in.

[John]

I'll be reading this one too.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Great, John! It's one of the best books I have read. I hope you'll enjoy it.

[Vince]

I'm also hoping to start in May, or maybe later this month if I can swing it.

[Maureen]

I am going to start this book today

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Hope you will enjoy the read, Maureen.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Great to have you, too, Vince. You could start in May. No pressure. The thread will continue till end of June and could be kept even a little longer without being archived.

[Ayush]

I have recently started reading this giant piece of literature and have reached around 45 pages for now. I am amazed by the overall persona of the Bishop of Digne and am looking forward to reading more. But yeah, I am reading it at a slow pace, just 10 to 12 pages daily. So, it's going to take me 3 to 4 months to finish this book.

[Melanie]

I'm a little ways into the book and was planning on forging ahead. I have a question for those who have read it. Is this book full of unrelenting darkness or are there bright spots of sunshine here and there? I don't know if I can handle a lot of darkness.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

It certainly isn't a happy book, Melanie. But there are bright happenings here and there. But I honestly think you have to harden your heart to read a book of this nature. I had to struggle through many parts. Having said that, I also think it's a book one must persevere irrespective of the depressing content. Val John's story is one of class suppression and injustice which even todate you see in so many countries. I think it's Hugo's tribute to those oppressed who have no voice to express their sufferings. And in honour of them, one must read it. This is my personal POV, however; another may disagree.

[Melanie]

Thank you, Piyangie! That helps a lot.

[Maureen]

I have just finished. I truly loved it. I am so glad I read it. I have been meaning to read it for a long time.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Glad to hear that you loved the book, Maureen.

[Mike]

I've just finished Book One and what a ride it became. I found it a bit slow to get going, but found I struggled to put it down over the last hundred pages. Time for sleep but can't wait to start Book Two tomorrow.

[Melanie]

I’m glad to hear this, Mike!

[Wijdan]

I know I am very late but I am definitely in! I remember reading this book ages ago so I decided to add it to my 2024 reading list.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Wijdan no worries!

You know us we are always behind in our reading hopes.

Hope all is well and happy to see you checking in!!

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Never too late, Wijdan. Hope you'll enjoy the book this time around as well.