Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

At least 2 of us readers are going to take on Les Misérables this year (2024), so we can use this space to put in our progress and thoughts about the book, using the spoiler tag when there's a spoiler. (Check out the How to Hide Spoilers topic if you don't know how to use the html code for it.)

I read Les Mis a few years ago and adored it, so I'll be sure to keep an eye on this thread for updates and chatter!

I started out trying to listen to the French version as an audiobook, but there were too many unfamiliar words, so now I'm listening to the English version.

It's good so far, but it's 60 hours! It feels like I'm listening to a series and not just 1 book, but it IS a long book. I'm about 4 hours in now.

I read it years ago and have watched the movies. I have the book but not sure where it is. It was a good read.

I read it back in 2022. It does divert off in odd directions, and some of the digressions don't make sense at the time, but in the end, most of it all came together and in the end, I really enjoyed it!

Keep going! It's worth it in the end.

What does POV mean? Thank you

Point of View

I'm a lot further along now, 13 hours in (in the part that seems to be Book 1: Cosette).

(view spoiler)[ There has been a lot that I liked so far, but right now I'm kind of bored. The writer is going on and on about what Napoleon is doing and I could not care less. Jean Valjean was captured and escaped, Cosette is presumably still in the hands of the family that is holding her hostage, and I am very much not interested in what is going on with Napoleon and the military in general. At least the part with the 4 couples was a little bit interesting, to explain how Cosette came about, but it was a little weird to me too and could have been much shorter. I'm listening at double speed now just because I'm worried I might miss something if I just skip ahead. (hide spoiler)]

I was also planning to read Les Mis for the musical prompt! I’ve had it in my Audible library for years but keep putting it off because of the length. I read The Hunchback of Notre Dame last year and really liked it, so I’m excited for my next Victor Hugo.

I will join you! I actually started this in fall 2023, but had to put it aside for many reasons, planning to pick it up again this spring. It is easy to read it a bit at a time given how it was written and initially published. This will hopefully keep me reading!

I am about 15% in - middle of Part I - Javert just introduced - chap 5 Descent.

I am reading a fairly recent translation that has received great reviews for its readability and capturing Hugo's style and voice - translator is Christine Donougher. I am finding it really accessible.

There is such wit, clever satire, and sharp imagery - I find myself smiling as I read. I have found it easy reading. My problem is that I saw the musical on Broadway so many times, I see the actors as the characters (and hear them sing) as they are each introduced. LOL.

I'm about 45% in now in the section for Marius, Book Fourth. I wasn't aware of this character going in, I only knew there was a Jean ValJean, a Javert and a Cosette.

(view spoiler)[ I'm liking it a bit better now. I was honestly very worried about ValJean during the whole coffin scene (hide spoiler)]

Also, I'm reading the version translated by Charles E. Wilbour and read by Frederick Davidson. The narrator is good but he's British and his French pronounciation, for when he says French words, isn't very good. I'm surprised they didn't try to find an actual French person to read it in English so that the French words would be pronounced accurately. But otherwise the narration is pretty good.

Denise wrote: "Also, I'm reading the version translated by Charles E. Wilbour and read by Frederick Davidson. The narrator is good but he's British and his French pronounciation, for when he says French words, is..."

Oh lordy, listening to a brit speak french who hasn't reached some level of adaptation to the accent is painful - but not as bad as listening to a US Southerner attempt it.

I need to pick it up again. I've had several Non-Fiction reads recently for challenges, which I read in spurts with fiction interspersed. I have one more to finish ... then I think I'm switching back to Les Miz - I read long books in spurts too with other shorter fiction reads interspersed.

I started reading Les Mis last year, but I put it aside at least 6 months ago. I was switching between reading and listening, depending on what mood I was in. I wasn't in love with the narrator (especially his Cosette), but it helped me get through some of the sloggy parts. I should pick it back up, when I finish The Brothers Karamazov (cause I like to torture myself, but not badly enough to read 2 doorstoppers at once!).

I’m reading “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”

I'm doing a chapter a day.

Finished! Finally! It took me a little over a month. I liked it overall but it had way too many digressions.