I’m just starting the book. I have seen the musical and loved it. So I decided to get the book, I’m about 20 pages into the book it’s a little tedious in areas but still quite enjoyable.
Because classics are tedious?? ???I’ve been reading it for a very long while now… I just haven’t quite got caught – but love the musical!! Maybe I should play the soundtrack as I read!
The book moved me to tears, and was beautifully written. I haven’t been able to feel any of those things watching the movies or musicals. There is some sort of magic in that book.
It’s no harder to read than other Victorian-era authors. It’s pretty great. Javert is a good enough charcter to be a good villain, but I wish he’d been a better-developed character.
The play is one of my favorites, but the book; I have yet to finish. I enjoy reading about details that get passed over in the play. But the writing style and length are challenging for me. It’s the kind of book I’d read for a class, but for personal enjoyment? I find it challenging .
I read it in high school (during my French classics phase! ?) before it was a smash Broadway musical. I loved it then, and it continues to be one of my favorite stories.
I love the message of this important book, though there were some passages I had a hard time slogging through. I don’t know if I would have finished it when I was younger. But, oh, the takeaway.
@Trisha I actually don’t care for the narrator, It’s Frederick Davidson. But it really helps with all those French names and places.. and it is 57 hours and 48 minutes long lol
@Tiffany oh wow! I like that narrator much better! It’s a shame it’s so expensive. I’m using the Frederick Davidson one through my Hoopla app for free… but I think I’m gonna stop using the audio book and just read it myself. I just can’t get over his voice and how he makes the characters sound.. it’s kind of cringe worthy..
I am reading it now. Great so far, but at one point I felt I was in another book when I got to the battle of Waterloo. I was glad to get past that, lol.
my in person book club has a Facebook group, and we’d post as we’d make progress through Les Mis: “I’m through Waterloo” and I survived the history of the sewers.”
Following
What are your thoughts, @Precious?
I’m just starting the book. I have seen the musical and loved it. So I decided to get the book, I’m about 20 pages into the book it’s a little tedious in areas but still quite enjoyable.
It is tedious, but stick with it. There’s a reason it is considered a “classic!” Thanks!
Because classics are tedious?? ???I’ve been reading it for a very long while now… I just haven’t quite got caught – but love the musical!! Maybe I should play the soundtrack as I read!
The book moved me to tears, and was beautifully written. I haven’t been able to feel any of those things watching the movies or musicals. There is some sort of magic in that book.
Really… ok… I’m going to have to get stuck in… the first time I saw the musical I cried throughout!!
When the most recent movie came out I was so bored I almost fell asleep and moved to the back so I could read on my kindle.
Ami Rebecca Eister really? Just shows… everyone is different, I do love Hugh Jackman though…
On my tbr list. I have seen the musical and know the story. I just haven’t gotten around to reading it yet.
The film was touching. I need to add it to my list of things to read.
In my opinion, it is one of the greatest novels ever written.
I’m enjoying the book so far, I’m only 20 pages in.
On my TBR list. Following.
Wonderful
It’s no harder to read than other Victorian-era authors. It’s pretty great. Javert is a good enough charcter to be a good villain, but I wish he’d been a better-developed character.
Loved it!!!!! I read it in French when I was taking French in high school. I love the movie and recently saw the live musical!!
Important.
I’ve been meaning to read it in French, and I have started and restarted it this year, but it’s intimidating to commit to.
Boring
Huge
I had to read it in French in Year 10. So i read an English version to help me. Thought it was boring.
Read it YEARS AGO. Good book.
The play is one of my favorites, but the book; I have yet to finish. I enjoy reading about details that get passed over in the play. But the writing style and length are challenging for me. It’s the kind of book I’d read for a class, but for personal enjoyment? I find it challenging .
A very long read but rewarding.
I read it in high school (during my French classics phase! ?) before it was a smash Broadway musical. I loved it then, and it continues to be one of my favorite stories.
One of my absolute favorite books. Read it at least 5 times.
Read it in school in the 8th grade and loved it then
My favorite book of all time.
Every character could have been a book. The story of Fantine is glossed over in the play and in the movie. It is a critical part of the book.
Required reading in my junior high English class. Wasn’t ready for it then and it turned me off to it since.
I love the message of this important book, though there were some passages I had a hard time slogging through. I don’t know if I would have finished it when I was younger. But, oh, the takeaway.
Loved it! Read it as an adult.
One of my favorite books
I loved it in high school
Jean Val Jean
I have the book and audio book so I can listen and read along at the same time. It makes it easier with the hard names and places I can’t pronounce.
I imagine it would be quite wonderful as an audiobook. Who narrates the one you have? How long is it?
I was doing this with the French, using an ebook, for listening practice with the words available to easily look up.
@Trisha I actually don’t care for the narrator, It’s Frederick Davidson. But it really helps with all those French names and places.. and it is 57 hours and 48 minutes long lol
I saw some comments where people really liked the George Guidall version (it’s in English), as well as some other audiobooks he’s done. https://www.audible.com/pd/Classics/Les-Miserables-Translated-by-Julie-Rose-Audiobook/B0055CU8IC
@Tiffany oh wow! I like that narrator much better! It’s a shame it’s so expensive. I’m using the Frederick Davidson one through my Hoopla app for free… but I think I’m gonna stop using the audio book and just read it myself. I just can’t get over his voice and how he makes the characters sound.. it’s kind of cringe worthy..
@Tiffany, thanks for this info. If I ever renew my audible subscription and can listen that long to a story, I’ll remember that info.
Love!
Love!
It is my 15 year old daughter’s favorite book. She is obsessed with it. I loved it, but for her it is a passion.
I have a good friend like that. As a teenager she was passionate about it, and she rereads it annually still, well into middle age.
An all-time favorite.
I feel like if you can get through the rambling on Waterloo, it is amazing. It’s definitely a passion for me (book and Broadway)
Amazing book
A masterpiece…but it will break your heart…
I’ve never read it but I love the musical so maybe I should
Love love love. And it’s my favorite musical!
I have watched the movie and it makes me lazy to read the novel.. I wish I read the novel first….
Have always wanted to read it but never have.
✨✨✨✨✨
The great novel I have ever read.
I loved it, it was slow reading at first, but so worthwhile
One of my favourites!
I am reading it now. Great so far, but at one point I felt I was in another book when I got to the battle of Waterloo. I was glad to get past that, lol.
Ahhh but the great part is how it all comes together. There’s a lot of those, “oh, so that’s why he mentioned…” moments.
my in person book club has a Facebook group, and we’d post as we’d make progress through Les Mis: “I’m through Waterloo” and I survived the history of the sewers.”
@Trisha , lol. It’s all downhill from here.
i badly want to read it. i’ll check it out at the library
I read it in sections, not necessarily the order in the novel but based on my mood at the time. I’m not finished.
I loved the book. Read it 40 years ago, so was ecstatic when I got to see it on stage.
My 16 year old daughter loves it! She has made me buy her 3 different translations so far!