Books I Want To Talk About discussion

I know a few people are reading Les Miz right now, so let's discuss! French Revolutionaries! Dying whores! Police vendettas! Fun fun!

I will be jumping back in soon. Reading got put aside for a bit.

I'm on the Waterloo section now and should be finished with it today, putting me at around 30% in.

May I just mention again how much I love this book??!!!! I love this book!!!!

I just started it. It's going to be a very busy weekend so I probably won't read much at all for the next couple days.

I am traveling for work for the next few days but I am taking this one with me on Kindle!

You should get a ton done if you don't have to read briefs all the time.

LOL - just saw this.

Oh where are you two? I am at 58% and going to read more tonight, because the part I am at is so exciting. I was reading intensely at work and I was so into it. Someone knocked on my door and I jumped about a foot off of my chair. I couldn't wait until he left so I could get back to my book.

This book is soooooo amazing. I am in awe of Hugo.

I have failed this month so badly. But as soon as I finish up In Shadow I'm starting back up. I love how Hugo writes. He just sucks you in.

I am looking forward to having some discussion around this one. I have put Nabokov in the wings, while I crush on Hugo.

Well hopefully I'll be able to give you company soon. I'm seeing the end in sight.

I've been making very slow progress on this. The last couple books I tried to read in tandem proved to be un-put-downable and so I neglected this one. I'm going to try and put a good dent in it before I start Mr. P.

My progress is slow since I only read about 20-30 minutes a few days a week. You two should probably be able to catch up to me pretty quickly. I am going to try to pick up the pace to ensure that I can finish prior to the end of March.

Hugo's thoughts that I had read yesterday on the creation and distribution of wealth were absolutely brilliant.

I am going to try to get The Blood of Flowers in and then read Mr. P later in March. They seem to both be quick reads, which helps.

I am thrilled with all of the great books that we have been reading. We are off to a great start in 2013 reading-wise.

I can't wait to get back to this one. I'm just struggling to finish my books. I love them, but I'm not focusing well.

Ok Sera, I've started back up. My plan for today is to read Book 3 of Fantine (I'm half done now.) I can't push myself more because I'm still finishing up my other books and need to start all of March's.

But it surprised me a bit at how easily I could slip back into the story after taking such a long break. I really enjoy this translation. It's very readable. I just wish there was a button that could pronounce all the French words and names. I never took French so I'm not sure of how certain letters sound and it drives me nuts. chapter one was killer to get through because I couldn't read smoothly.

Also, I find it interesting Fantine is called "the Blonde" in the beginning because of her golden hair. But I never got the sense (she was blonde) from the musical. It goes a long way in explaining Cossette's looks though. (I may be obtuse, it happens.)

So I'm now to Book 5 of Fantine. I think I didn't realize the Thenardiers were so young. The musical gave the impression they were much older.

My version has the English translations of most of the French words right next to French ones in brackets.

Fantine's story breaks my heart.

My goal is to read 10% a week for the next 3 weeks until I finish. This book if continues to go as it has, will go down as one of my most favorite books ever. And, to think Meghan, that I almost skipped it!!!

I have a long list of books for the next few months lined up, We'll see how well I stick to it - lol.

Way to go! I'm always so impressed by your reading the big books. I hope to read a "book" a day but we'll see. I've got so many now to get going I have to focus on some others more. But I'm reading a little bit every day. It's a good habit and I like that this book is broken up so well to accommodate me.

But I would agree on it being one of my favorites and I'm no where near done. And I am so glad you chose to read it too.

A book a day? Wow, that's impressive.

"I like Big Books and I cannot lie" - hee hee. Last year, I read 9 so I'm hoping that I can at least match that this year. I am only on my first one though, so I need to get cracking.

I'm glad that you are reading daily again. It is a good habit to have.

I'm supposed to get through 10 this year. We'll see. Now if only I had challenged myself on the short ones. I've read 4 250 or less in the past month. It really feeds my sense of accomplishment (and I don't feel like I'm cheating because they weren't YA or fluff).

Well, a "book" for most of them aren't that long. It might be every two days at my current rate though.

Every two days is still solid though.

I am almost through Volume VI of Les Mis.

I am doing okay. Now to book 6: Javert.

Obviously the musical and book are different in many ways and the musical can't include everything. But it makes a LOT more sense that JVJ and Javert know each other as mayor and inspector. It explains better why Javert is obsessed with hunting down JVJ later.

And again, what the world misses by not knowing Father Bienvenue. To see what JVJ has become is so heartwarming. It makes me think, what a lovely little story. I kind of want the book to end right now and everyone live happily ever after.

I also love that JVJ continues to search for Petit Gervais.

I love the JVJ, Fatehr Bienvenue story, too. Hugo does a nice job picking up Javert's story from there. When I read the first parts of this story, I kept thinking "yes, Hugo really gets it". I cannot recall the last time that I started reading a book where I felt so emotional. My heart was completely full after reading through the first two volumes. I know that it sounds sappy, but Hugo's writing and storytelling have had a huge impact on me.

I reached 80% today and met my 10% goal for the week. I cannot believe that I will be finished with this book within the next 2 weeks. I am savoring every word until then.

I should edit my statement in that it makes more sense that Javert meets JVJ as mayor. Not as a convict. The betrayal of a such a good man who turned out to be a paraole, must have been so difficult for someone as black and white as Javert. The musical makes him a little insane for stalking JVJ all over France. I never really did get that until I read this part.

Sera wrote: "I reached 80% today and met my 10% goal for the week. I cannot believe that I will be finished with this book within the next 2 weeks. I am savoring every word until then."

I hope you some day rent the movie musical. I'd like your thoughts on a few of the Paris scenes. For me, the ending was majestic (and what I wished the whole movie had felt). I think the book (from what you have indicated) goes into detail the revolution and how these boys were in over their heads. But for me, the ending of the movie showed what it could have been had the streets of Paris been filled with "the people". It makes me think that despite the results, Hugo will leave us with hope.

I am at the revolution part now in the book. I saw the musical many, many years on stage but don't really remember it. I may watch the movie at some point, but probably won't go out of my way, You trashed it pretty well - ha ha ha.

Yeah, sorry about that. I was so mad though! I'd say it would be worth taking a look at when it comes up on Netflix.

I kind of don't want to leave this first first part. I love this first part so much and it just doesn't feel like the rest can live up to it.

Oh, Meghan, I agree. The rest of the book doesn't live up to the beginning, but it is still wonderful in its own right. Interestingly, I am not enjoying the part about the revolution all that much. I thought that Hugo's political discourse around the topic was fantastic, but the barricades? I am hoping for a upward swing in pacing and energy until the end. I am ready to bring this one home and to start something else.

Yeah, I can imagine. This is a very long book. One should get a medal for finishing it! Heh

I need to edit a statement I made earlier about Javert and JVJ. I should say that I think the book makes Javert look less stalkerish by having him casually mention he was a guard at the same prison of JVJ, but his getting to know the mayor, there was no outward suspicion given until Fantine. I think the musical, by having Javert interact with JVJ in the prison makes me feel like Javert is hunting JVJ down because he was offended by him in prison. I'm not explaining this well, but I think Javert comes off as this "bad" guy in the musical where I think the reader has much better sympathy for his moral quandary towards JVJ.

Interesting point about the prison. I view Javert as a kind of "villain" in the book. I didn't get the feeling that he had a moral quandary towards JVJ. I felt that everything was black or white with him - no?

I'd like a medal, please :) The darn thing is a beast. A cuddly, fuzzy, wonderful beast, but still a beast :)

Wait until you finish the book. Then let me know. Perhaps Hugo writes it different than my interpretation. But I have great sympathy for Javert's myopicness.

Will do. You have me curious now about my current perspective.

I AM FINISHED!!!

I loved this book sooooo much that a part of me is sad that it's over.

Congratulations! You deserve a treat like a new book. ha

Hee hee

Is this book heavy going to read?