Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion
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Les Misérables
Old School Classics, Pre-1915
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Les Miserables: Part 1 Book 5
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Trisha
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Jul 13, 2011 09:08PM
Here is the thread for this weeks chunk! I am curious to hear people's thoughts...
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Wow. This part really renewed my enthusiasm for the book.Again I liked the fact that Hugo doesn't make excuses for his characters.
Fantine is blameless for most of the bad things that happen to her, but at the same time she manages to be her own worst enemy in some ways, such as choosing to go into debt when she's only just started her job and not approaching Monsieur Madeleine when she is dismissed.
But she remains a very engaging character, and the sacrifice she made to get the 40 francs for Cosette means I could forgive her for any amount of silliness.
I'm only to Chapter 5. Does the pace pick up a little eventually?
I'm only to Chapter 5. Does the pace pick up a little eventually?
Personally I felt the pace of the storytelling picked up once the focus shifted away from Monsieur Madeleine onto another character, a few chapters on.
Good to know...I'll keep slogging along.
I think it keeps getting better the further into the book we get. I read this whole section straight through last night it was so good.
Is the thread for the next reading section going to be put up soon? Am I the only one still reading this?
I'm still with you Jenn - just haven't been on this site in a few days. I can't believe what sacrifices Fantine made for her daughter. How lonely she must have been as well - no family or friends for emotional support. If only she could find a way to visit Cosette and witness the treatment she is receiving.
I agree Brenda. All that Fantine went through for the sake of her daughter, just so she could send money to the greedy Thenardiers! But I think it was better that she was never able to visit Cosette and see how awful she was treated because I think what helped her get through everything was the idea that her daughter was being taken care of.
But all the same, it just made me ill to think about how much Fantine gave and how her daughter received none of it. If Fantine knew about the terrible treatment of the Thenardiers, wouldn't she have been able to move herself and her daughter out of that situation? I wonder.
My heart just breaks for Fantine. I can't imagine having to leave my child with strangers and never see her, and then to go through all Fantine thinking she was helping her daughter and it was all went to the despicable Thenardiers!
Mod
Love, Sacrifice, and Redemption, this book will give you several heartaches before your finished.
Bob wrote: "Have you gotten to the sacrifices Fantine makes in order to provide care for Cosette? Love, Sacrifice, and Redemption, this book will give you several heartaches before your finished."
Yes - I'm in the middle of Book 7 right now. Poor, poor Fantine. :-(
