Should have read classics discussion

This is the group read for December and January, since this is a large chunky. I will split this up into different threads, but must dig up my copy to find the breaks. Remember to be respectful and post spoiler alerts. Thanks!

Just saw the trailer for the movie which comes out in December, so I must say this group is on top of things!

I've loved the musical for years, but I have never attempted the book. Given the nature of the story, I suspect this will be a very worthwhile read.

Yes, and good timing with the movie!

When I read this book, it took me several years and several attempts.

Good luck to everyone else.

My version (an old B&N version, forgot who translated it) had some lines still in French, untranslated. I think it might have been prose or poetry. I'd love to know whether this is common throughout the other translations.

I read this book at the end of high school and I remember the first part and the ending, but the giant middle is rather a missing mass. I enjoyed the book, but it took me forever to finish it, hopefully, I can go faster this time around. I have it downloaded on my Kindle ready to go, once I finish Atlas Shrugged.

I've been just reading little pieces at a time while I'm reading something else. I'm just in the first part with the priest - the scene of poverty/indifference is being set - and the priest and his actions are certainly impressive. It seems like Hugo is trying to describe the perfect man, and perhaps inspire his readers to be more charitable.

I remember that part! It was probably one of my favorite scenes in the book. I too was quite impressed by the priest.

Finally, I have made it to this book! I'm on the priest part now and I would have to agree with you Suzanne about how Hugo is trying to describe the perfect man. It is even better that he used to be an aristocrat and has now evolved into something wonderful. I'm thinking that I need to relearn French history before I can appreciate this book.

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.

I read the abridged version back in school and now I am excited to read the WHOLE thing. The bishop is awesome. (view spoiler)[ I love when he switches his mansion with the hospital next door. (hide spoiler)]

Yes, the bishop has become a really sincere and wonderful character in this story. I do have a history question, what was the significance of the former member of the "Council"? Was that a group that was active during the French revolution and voted for the death of the king?

Lisa wrote: "Yes, the bishop has become a really sincere and wonderful character in this story. I do have a history question, what was the significance of the former member of the "Council"? Was that a group..."

I think this refers to the Council of Five Hundred which was the lower house of legislature in France during the latter part of the French Revolution. They were quite a powerful bunch and I think it was Napolean who managed to 'conquer' them so becoming the leader of France.

For some reason until I started reading this book, I thought the events in it took place before the French Revolution. So that was a timeline shift for me.

I liked how the man from the Council (view spoiler)[ was introduced as someone that even the bishop couldn't bring himself to like, until he actually told his story. (hide spoiler)]

I thought the same thing about the time line also. Don't know why I thought that it before the FR as well. I need to google the events that followed Napolean's exile which is when this book is situated around, or am I really off base?

The French Revolution ended at the end of 1799 or was it the beginning of 1800?! Napolean formed the Consulate which I think is what he ruled under until his exile in 1815. It is a long time since I did French history at school - it's a long time since I was at school!!

Classics - The Great Gatsby
Fantasy - The Princess Bride
Graphic Novels - Batman Year One
Historical Fiction - The Half-Hanged Man
Horror - Frankenstein
Literary Fiction - Pride and Prejudice
Mystery - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Non Fiction - Far From the Tree
Romance - Back on Blossom Street
Science Fiction - 1984
Thriller - The Remaining: Refugees
Young Adult - The Hunger Games

i will join you in january. i am really curious about this one:)

Ana wrote: "i will join you in january. i am really curious about this one:)"

Excellent! Can't wait for you to join us!

jess wrote: "Classics - The Great Gatsby
Fantasy - The Princess Bride
Graphic Novels - Batman Year One
Historical Fiction - The Half-Hanged Man
Horror - Frankenstein
Literary Fiction - Pride and Prejudice
Myste..."

I'm thinking that you wanted this in another thread?

I have now met Fantine and her little girl Cosette. What a heartbreaking story. Right now, I'm reading about the internal dilemma of the mayor of M. sur M. I can see the poor man's struggle with his choice. I even flip back and forth with what the man should choose. I have an idea which way he will go, but part of me feels terrible with that choice.

I just joined the group as I started reading Les Miserables, the unabridged version yesterday! It's been a long term goal to read this book and I saw the movie last week (which was fantastic!!!) and want to experience the book itself.

I doubt I can finish reading it in a month but will read at my own pace and check in with you guys :)

Hello and welcome to the group Bonnie! I'm glad that you are going to us on this one and for the record I really sure that I'm not going to finish this one in one month either. We can keep discussing it long after the time is over though! Hope that you are enjoying it!

Hi... I want to reread this book, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any guides I can use as I read along. I used Cliffs Notes in the past, which if I remember correctly, summarized but did little explaining of themes.

Also I've read the Signet version, but am considering reading the Penguin version instead. Comments on which is better?

Elizabeth wrote: "Hi... I want to reread this book, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any guides I can use as I read along. I used Cliffs Notes in the past, which if I remember correctly, summarized but did lit..."

I have no idea on versions, I'm sorry about that. As far as guides go, have you looked at sparknotes or maxnotes? I don't know how they would be with this book, but it might be another place to start.
I also wanted to welcome you to the read!

How is it going? Any new insights?

Elizabeth wrote: "...but am considering reading the Penguin version instead."

Answering my own question. The Penguin edition is abridged. I'll be reading the Signet edition again.

Lisa wrote: "As far as guides go, have you looked at sparknotes or maxnotes?"

I'll look into Sparknotes. Thanks!

I was wondering if we don't finish this one by the end of January, would everyone be interested in shifting it to a buddy read? This would allow the group to start a new book and let us continue reading and commenting on this one.

I'd love that - I'm reading it very slowly but I AM going to finish it. I saw the movie last weekend, and I felt like reading the book added a whole new dimension when, for example, I saw the priest for the first time. I think once I finish the book I will watch the movie again.

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'm in the middle of the court scene that has M&M watching the evidence presented against Champmathieu and how the court is against the defendant from the beginning. I must ask, what would you do in Valjean's shoes? Could you send a man to jail for you by justifying it with "he seems like he deserves it?" Or would you freely give up yourself to the authorities knowing what would be in store for your life?

I think the way it was designed made the choice really difficult! The defendant didn't seem very innocent, and Valjean had so many responsibilities. I would like to think I'd do the right thing, but I'm not sure - I might rationalize it away.

i have started the book this week. i like it so far but it is a pretty slow read

Ana wrote: "i have started the book this week. i like it so far but it is a pretty slow read"

I agree with the slow part, it has taken me forever to get where I'm at.

Suzanne wrote: "I think the way it was designed made the choice really difficult! The defendant didn't seem very innocent, and Valjean had so many responsibilities. I would like to think I'd do the right thing, ..."

I think that is why I felt guilty with my choice. I have been flipping back and forth between my choice and then I feel guilty for being so callous toward another human. Very thought provoking.

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 illustrate the points he wanted to make. For example, all of the gossip people do that results in Fantine being fired from her job - he goes on for several pages about people interfering and snooping in others' lives for no good reason. I don't necessarily disagree with his points - but I wish he did a little more "show not tell". Although then my 900 pages would be cut in half =).

I first read this book in high school literature class. It would have been better used to teach history then I might have better remembered this part of French social history and the Revolution. However, all I do remember from this time is the storyline.

Several years ago I went to the musical stage show and thoroughly enjoyed it - 5 stars for that.

Because I know the story so well, and because I knew the film was due for release here, I have just skim read the book this time.

So last evening I went to see it. I have to say I wondered how long three hours might feel though, but it just flew by. Every bit as good as the stage show and thoroughly enjoyable. The only criticism I have is the singing of script. It felt as though they would start out talking and suddenly realise they should be singing. I wish they had just spoken their lines and stuck to singing the actual songs - which they did wonderfully.

It struck me that the film (and stage show) capture the story extremely well. What the book has that these productions don't is Hugo's long preachy narratives that seem to be his trying to push his views on societal incidents on the reader.

Through all versions I have had the same two characters I have had empathy and sympathy for - who I have considered led the most abject, poverty stricken lives - the most miserable. These were Fantine and Eponine. Now I have considered Javert in a new light and am feeling a great deal of sympathy for him. I won't tell you just now why, but if you remind me when you have all finished the book I'll tell you then.

I would have to agree with the "preachy" nature that Hugo gets into during parts of the book. It does drag many parts on and on.
On a separate note, I really must see this movie! Wouldn't you love to break into song during parts of your day? Ha, sorry, but that would just awesome!

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 illustrate the points he wanted..."

Hugo's is a treat for those who enjoy expansive writing. Wait till you get to the description of the battle of Waterloo at the beginning of the 2nd tome (if my memory is right). Most readers would like to tear it out unless they like military history.

A French Lit B.A. told me that Hugo was paid by the number of pages he published so the more he wrote the better for him, which may explain (partly) why his books are so long.

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

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 illustrate the ..."

That makes complete sense, I remember having the same discussion when we read Dickins and Wilkie Collins. I think that the same reasoning applies to those writers also.

I have moved the discussion thread to the buddy read-current folder. This is located below the group read discussion folder. I hope that everyone is still plodding along with this one, I know that I am. I've made it to the Waterloo section, how is everyone doing?

I'm slowly moving along - I wanted to finish a couple of other books in January, but I haven't given up on this one yet!

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 figured out that I need to do some more research on that battle if I want to understand that section better. Hopefully, the story picks up from here.

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 figured out ..."

I had to kind of skim that section too. When I've read the same paragraph three times and I still don't know what's going on, it's time to just keep reading!

I'm almost done with the section after the Waterloo section-- let me assure you, it picks up a lot!

Miranda, I'm glad to hear it picks up. I'm getting stuck in all the side-text right now - even skimming! However, it has been interesting to compare the book with the musical. I think the musical does a surprisingly good job picking up the major points and themes of the book (at least so far). Certainly in the musical we barely see the priest at the first, but it conveys his essential goodness. I think in the book so far reading more about him has been my favorite part. Although getting more details about all parts of the MAIN story has been nice.

Anyone still slogging along with me? I just hit the halfway point. It's picking up a lot, but I still find I need to take breaks from it.

I've been taking breaks too and reading other stuff. I maybe should have gotten the abridged version =0.

I have been taking a rather extended break, but I'm still plan on finishing it. Might be a year long read for me. Not quite sure why I keep putting it behind other books, but I do. I'm about 26% done, so I will plan on catching up to 50% soon. How is everyone liking it? Well, besides the slogging through, which seems to be a consistent factor.

Hi. I'm thinking of reading the book. But I'm wondering about the pages. The free download from Amazon has about 1200 pages but the kindle edition has about 1400 pages. I'm worried that I'll miss the ending or other parts. Can you tell me which edition is better, the actual book or an ebook?

I'm not sure which is better, though generally if you get the unabridged version of books, they tend to be complete. Welcome to the reading! I'm trying to finish this one during the course of this year, however, it seems that I keep putting it off over some other book.