2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

Pages: 1463 pages

Length: 3 months (January- March)

Participants: TerryJane, Rebecca, Lorraine, Lina

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Are you guys thinking of splitting this into three parts? Or into even more parts and discussing in between? Or just reading at our own pace and writing whenever we feel like it?

I think I'll be reading this one slowly and just updating as I can. I started this one, but I'm only about 15-20 pages in, and I love the translation!

SarahKat wrote: "This thread is to discuss Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

I read this in High School many many years ago. I have seen the stage show 3 times and bawled my eyes out every time. I can't go through it again. I did have a wonderful experience connected with the show. On a plane from Vancouver to Heathrow, I sat next to a member of the cast of the London production. He gave me tickets to the show, met us after the show and took us out to dinner and gave me a poster signed by all the cast. Magical!

Great novel, and I would like to say that check who the translator is Norman Denny is considered by many to have done the best translation--he made a great balance between Hugo's original text and modern English (done in the 1970s). However, some prefer others, of course. He also moves a few digressions to the appendices so they are there but you don't have to read them. I'd avoid Julia Rose because she adds quips of her own into it.

However, if you like, here's a GR discussion on it I found:
https://www.goodreads.com/questions/1...

I will be reading The Misérables in French. The edition I have (Le livre de Poche) has 3 books. I am open to discuss this in three parts or as we go. This has been on my TBR list for a long time.

Enjoyed reading everyone's posts about it, and I'm reading the Fahnestock/MacAfee translation. I feel pretty confident about this translation because I enjoy reading classic novels, and it seems to be the current "classic" translation.

I've been reading kind of slowly, just a few pages a day to start with (especially since it's not even January 1st yet), and I've finally finished Part 1, Book one, which was a (view spoiler)[ very finely drawn character study of Bienvenu. There was a lot to think about when considering this (mostly) very good man. Lovely, and I found lots to ponder and underline throughout the text. (hide spoiler)]

Lorraine wrote: "I will be reading The Misérables in French. The edition I have (Le livre de Poche) has 3 books. I am open to discuss this in three parts or as we go. This has been on my TBR list for a long time."

That's awesome!

I have been putting this novel off for years because of the sheer length of it, but decided to approach it like the Advent Challenge to finally read it in 2024.

A Wiki about the novel says that it's made up of 5 volumes with a total of 48 books and 365 chapters. 😮

I am so jealous of Dorothy's experience with a Les Mis cast member. Wow!

===
EDIT: I will be reading the audio edition of Charles E. Wilbour's translation, which is just under 58 hours.

I would love to join. This is too intimidating of a book for a one month buddy read, but I think I can do it in three months.

Please join us Caterina! It will be fun!

Rebecca wrote: "Enjoyed reading everyone's posts about it, and I'm reading the Fahnestock/MacAfee translation. I feel pretty confident about this translation because I enjoy reading classic novels, and it seems to..."

I also finished Part 1 of Book 1 about l'Évêque Bienvenu. (view spoiler)[ I find this character very interesting. Hugo created a character that is full of charity and goodness. It will be interesting to see what kind of impact he will have on this society who is so prone to judge the poor (hide spoiler)]

I chose this as my long book for the year and started it yesterday (Dec 31). I'm using the Penguin Classic Deluxe version translated by Christine Donougher. I will be reading Les Miserable slowly and it might take me 6 months to read, 3 if the pace allows.

We can always ask SarahKat to extend the thread if we need more than 3 months.

I will join you all. I had bought it last month so I could read it every day for a year. But this is nicer

I had a friend whoHo read this book last year tell me that the book ebbs and flows at different speeds throughout, and Part 1 Book 2 definitely flowed faster for me. About The Fall (view spoiler)[ I already knew this part of the story from the musical, but didn’t realize how powerful it was. I didn’t realize how angry I would feel at the injustice of Jean’s prison sentence. I didn’t anticipate crying when the gendarmes brought him back to the bishop and seeing the bishop’s response. I also cried again at the end of this section as Jean himself cried. I was an emotional mess tonight as I read this part. (hide spoiler)]

Volume I: Fantine. I have completed 8 of 14 chapters of Book I: Just a Man, finishing with VIII. Philosophy After Drinking. That's 1:16 in time (or 2%) of the audiobook.

I found this free ebook of the Hapgood translation with a Table of Contents that should help me immensely with knowing where I am in the audiobook and with spelling the names of places and people.
https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/vic...

I've been wavering between reading four chapters a day, to finish in 91 days (one day would need 5 chapters); five chapters per day, to finish in 73 days; OR, one book per day, to finish in 48 days. Based on my start, I think 4-5 chapters per day should suit me best.

I am so enjoying learning more about Monseigneur Bienvenu. I mean, I adore the musical, but it's limited in its ability to do a deep dive.

My goal is to read at least 40 pages a day and at this rate I'll finish Volume I by the end of the week.

I read an abridged version of Les Miserable as a teen and I had no idea there was a lengthy section about Monseigneur Bienvenu and that he was so funny!

I went to Cliff Notes to list the characters, themes, motifs, and symbolism in the book. I'm finding that to be helpful. I'm keeping a separate notebook for notes and reactions.

As a bonus I watched the 10 Year Les Miserable concert on YouTube last night. I was amazed at how well they adapted the story. I'll watch the PBS show or the movie when I've finished the book. I want this to be an immersive experience.

Lorraine wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Enjoyed reading everyone's posts about it, and I'm reading the Fahnestock/MacAfee translation. I feel pretty confident about this translation because I enjoy reading classic novels,..."

He made this character, one of my favourites in this book, for political reasons. (view spoiler)[ He made this priest to be very Christlike because back then higher positions in the church were appointed by the secular government and they tended toward greed, hypocrisy and corruption due to how lavishly they lived. However, he's one of my favourite people in this book and his actions spurred Jean to change his life for the better. Sadly this is severely truncated in abridged versions. (hide spoiler)]

@Lorraine, I will join you in reading the book in French! I hope I have better luck with this one.

I have physical copies of the books, but I will be getting a Kindle version so I can increase the font. LOL, I'm in my 30s, but my vision is already failing me.

I think someone mentioned 6 months instead of 3. I may also be onboard with that based on how my reading journey goes. I plan to start this weekend.

Caterina wrote: "@Lorraine, I will join you in reading the book in French! I hope I have better luck with this one.

I have physical copies of the books, but I will be getting a Kindle version so I can increase th..."

Is it failing in a way that you can use reading glasses or other ways?

I told myself I wasn’t going to join this one. But dang it… I have always wanted to read this.

I just got Les Misérables from Libby. Translation by Charles Wilbour; narration by Frederick Davidson (same version as TerryJane). I’ll also follow along with a Kindle version.

I started Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady last year but lost interest in it after about 800 pages (a little better than 1/2 through). 2024 Goal is to finish that and Les Mis.

I’m going to try reading this too for the month of January! This is the first buddy group I’ve joined so I’m looking forward to it :)

melanie wrote: "I’m going to try reading this too for the month of January! This is the first buddy group I’ve joined so I’m looking forward to it :)"

Welcome, melanie! Glad to have you join us for your first buddy read. 👋🏻

This novel is such a chunkster that most of us are planning to read it over a few months. Just be sure to use spoiler tags when you post since we slower readers will be behind you. (Spoiler tags are explained in the first post, and they only work using the browser, not the GR app.)

Beth wrote: "I told myself I wasn’t going to join this one. But dang it… I have always wanted to read this.

I just got Les Misérables from Libby. Translation by Charles Wilbour; narration by F..."

I've read both and this one is much better, IMO. I managed to finish Clarissa but it barely got 2 stars from me. That said, there are some digressions that aren't as interesting if you are just reading it for the story and don't want so much detail about the sewers, but the story of Jean Valjean and other important characters is ever so much more powerful than that of Clarissa.

@melanie- Welcome! This buddy read is for three months, which is great, because I know I will need all 3 months.

@Karin- I do wear glasses to read. My vision has been a lifelong problem for me, though it does seem to get worse now.

I am a few chapters into the book.

So far, I am seeing a few different positions within the church. I'm a little confused why instead of bishop, we have bishop-baron and bishop-lord (if my translation is correct).

Charles Brûlart de Genlis, archevêque-prince d'Embrun
Antoine de Mesgrigny, capucin, évêque de Grasse
Philippe de Vendôme, grand prieur de France, abbé de Saint-Honoré de Lérins
François de Berton de Grillon, évêque-baron de Vence
César de Sabran de Forcalquier, évêque-seigneur de Glandève
Jean Soanen, prêtre de l'oratoire, prédicateur ordinaire du roi, évêque-seigneur de Senez

Following the French Revolution in 1789 and the end of the Monarchy in 1792, the First Republic aimed to transform France into a secular nation. Along with overthrowing the monarchy, the revolution also ended the nobility and seized money from churches. Now that I think about it, I've never looked into what that actually meant for the structure of the Catholic Church, in Paris as well as in smaller cities. The First Republic is followed by Napoleon's First Empire in 1804 and the Restoration of the Bourbons in 1814. Napoleon and the Bourbons were religious, especially in comparison to the governments of the First Republic, so I wonder what changes they made in terms of giving money and power back to the Catholic Church. If anyone has any insight into this, I'd love to learn more.

The book starts in 1815, but I did not catch which month. In 1815, we have the Restoration of the Bourbons, followed by Napoleon's Hundred Days, and then the second Restoration of the Bourbons. Also it sounds like Monsieur Myriel was appointed bishop a years ago during the First Empire.

I'm so excited to learn about this time period! I feel like I've read so much about the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire, but the Restoration and the Second Empire are less well known to me.

I finally finished part one book 3, and I (view spoiler)[ was kind of delighted to see Fantine (since Part 1 is named Fantine), but those silly young men were completely insufferable. Poor Fantine!! (hide spoiler)]

Part one book 4 was (view spoiler)[ super sad. I hated that Fantine ended up separated from Cosette, and poor Cosette is like Cinderella. super depressing portion of the book. (hide spoiler)]

I've completed part 1, Fantine and it was gut wrenching.! Part 2 Cosette starts with the chapter on Waterloo. I think I'll skim it, but I have heard that a good understanding of the French Revolution and Napolean''s wars are important to understand for the story, so I'll play it by ear. I did read War and Peace last year and I got through the long historical tangents okay.

Caterina wrote: "I am a few chapters into the book.

So far, I am seeing a few different positions within the church. I'm a little confused why instead of bishop, we have bishop-baron and bishop-lord (if my transl..."

I am not sure which month either but it goes from 1815 to 1804 and later 1861...etc... I will do some research to see if we can find a calendar of events that would follow the story.

I borrowed the book in English because I wanted to highlight a few sentences (and did not want to Google translate!). Volume 1- Book Fifth- The Descent- Chapter XI- Christus Nos Liberavit
(view spoiler)[ ‘What is this history of Fantine? It is society purchasing a slave.
From whom? From misery.
From hunger, cold, isolation. A dolorous bargain. A soul for a morsel of bread. Misery offers; society accepts’ (hide spoiler)]
I found this so beautiful and so sad. Hugo is very talented. Do you have a favorite quote?

@Lorraine, I've marked quote after quote after quote in my copy of the book. There's just a lot.

It feels like it took me forever but I made it through volume 1 book 5 today. It's so dark and depressing that my pace through that section was very slow. . . .It's been so long since I've seen the musical that I've forgotten much of the story, so each new section is like a surprise to me.

@Karin- I do wear glasses to read. My vision has been a lifelong problem for me, th..."

That's not easy for you. My vision changes are normal age-related ones. Are you able to listen to audiobooks? It's much slower, of course.

Caterina wrote: "I am a few chapters into the book.

So far, I am seeing a few different positions within the church. I'm a little confused why instead of bishop, we have bishop-baron and bishop-lord (if my transl..."

Those seem like odd translations and in keeping with French word order rather than English; it wasn't like that in the translation I read.

Hugo was writing this as a political novel, not religious, but in France, like other countries in Europe, the government appointed bishops and other higher ranking clergy positions. Some were secularized clergy as well.

As you can imagine, government-appointed clergy meant a lot more greedy and self-seeking men reached those positiosn.

Rebecca wrote: "@Lorraine, I've marked quote after quote after quote in my copy of the book. There's just a lot.

It feels like it took me forever but I made it through volume 1 book 5 today. It's so dark and depr..."

Yes, some of this book is depressing! There were many dark things going on, but keep going because the ending is worth it (hope that's not a spoiler given all of the film and musical versions of this book out there!)

I'm in Part Two, Book Six (I survived Waterloo and it's important to the story) and I think I'm at the point where I can't slow down. I feel like Part One was so character driven and part two is more plot driven. I have a lot of quotes underlined. I'll try to start putting them in my notebook.

Where is everyone in the book? Are we at a point where we can discuss something without giving spoilers?
.

@Martha, I just finished part one book 6 today, and (view spoiler)[ I appreciated the conversation between Javert and Madeline because I've been wondering if Madeline is Valjean. Still am actually! LOL (hide spoiler)] I had hoped to be through part one by now, but I'm only 2/3 of the way through, so my pace is slow but steady.

I don't actually mind spoilers, but you can always put things underneath the spoiler tags so that we can reply if (and when) we're in the same spot as you!

Rebecca wrote: "@Lorraine, I've marked quote after quote after quote in my copy of the book. There's just a lot.

It feels like it took me forever but I made it through volume 1 book 5 today. It's so dark and depr..."

I do understand! I have many pages of notes and quotes! In my opinion, this is not a book you can read as fast as a thriller...

Martha wrote: "I'm in Part Two, Book Six

I finished the first volume out of the three volumes for my French edition from Le Livre de Poche. Next volume will start at Book 6 in Part 2 (Le Petit-Picpus). I should start reading volume 2 by January 28th. I want to finish first some buddy reads I still have for January.

We can start discussing the book anytime you want. There is a way to hide spoilers so this should not be a problem.

For those interested, there is another group who is reading this book:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Not sure the link will work but you have the group name in it.

I took a break from the book for a few days and came back and read Part 1 book 7 . . . .which was super (view spoiler)[ super dramatic and angsty. I wonder if the prosecutor is going to arrest Madeline now that he's left the proceedings! (hide spoiler)]

This has been moved to the February Buddy Reads folder

I finally finished Part 1 today and am 20% of the way through the book!! 🎉🎉🎉 Part one was (view spoiler)[ a wild ride! In book 8, I was so angry at Javert for ruining and hastening Fantine’s last moments. She truly had such a sad life. I was also a little surprised that Valjean fled the way he did. Was there some greater purpose or was he just a scared ex-convict? It’s hard to tell at this point. (hide spoiler)].

Well, onto the Waterloo section for me tomorrow!!

I agree, Rebecca, about both Javert and poor Fantine. Oh, and how angry the Thenardiers make me, too. Ugh!

I got behind a bit, but caught up today. I just finished Book 6 in Vol. 2 (Cosette). I'm at 35%, and that seems right on track since we're near the end of the first month.

I will be out of town for three days this week, but can listen to books during the drive there and back. 😊 Will also be away on a vacation next week, and might not read as much as usual.

Oh lord I forgot about this read! I’ll have to get back into it!

I took a week off. I've started part 3, Marius and wanted to slow down a little and read some other books. I'll start up again tonight. Cosette was a wild ride and I'm pleased that new characters will be introduced in Marius.

I started reading in January and didn't find this group of readers until February 1. I am joining you now. I'm reading the Penguin Classics version (Christine Donougher)... reading on Kindle and listening to an audio version of the same translation at the same time. I was planning to take all year to read this book but will speed up my reading to meet the expectations of this group.

Linda wrote: "I started reading in January and didn't find this group of readers until February 1. I am joining you now. I'm reading the Penguin Classics version (Christine Donougher)... reading on Kindle and li..."

Looking at where I'm at, I think it'll be 4-5 months for me, but we'll see!

I finished Part 2 books 1 & 2 today. I just want to say that Waterloo almost broke me. I had to start watching animated battle maps on YouTube to understand what was going on and why. And I printed a map out to follow along with the book’s descriptions. I feel like I learned a lot but I am glad to be back into the actual present action of the story,