A book like no other: A Les Miserables Review (no spoilers)
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- I loved Les Miserables by Victor Hugo so much! Thanks to the many people who have been listening to me talk about it on my channel for the last two months. I listened to the original Broadway cast recording from the musical adaptation while uploading this video ... and I can't believe this, but I love the book more than the musical! I did my best to keep this review spoiler-free because I hope someday, you might be inclined to pick it up and see what you think yourself. I hope you will share you thoughts with me, if you have read or have plans to read it, in the Comments section.
Another review to check out is from Mark @BookTimewithElvis
Here's his video: The Greatest Book Ever Writtein?
• The Greatest Book Ever...
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Please keep the Comments spoiler-free! Thanks everyone!
which translation version i should read if I'm reading les miserable for the very first time?
@@snehakaushal4949 I recommend the one I read translated by Julie Rose.
I absolutely felt like I knew Hugo too. The insanely long tangents he goes on were frustrating at times but in the end the novel couldn’t be what it is without them. This is probably my favorite book of all time because of the sheer sense of connection it leaves you with.
Hello Anthony! I totally get it! I feel like the tangents were there because of who he wrote this book for. There are names listed in some of the sections and we no longer know who some of them are! But the people of Paris, if not France, would not have needed any notes. It’s a glorious, sweeping novel and I’m so glad I read it. And so happy to hear you had a similar reading experience to mine! 💛🇫🇷
As a teenage boy, I’m not particularly into musicals, but Les Mis had so much meaning in it. I read the abridged version soon after, and realized there was so much in the story that the musical left out, notably with Marius. I think I’m ready to take on the unabridged version, with the new translation of course.
@@P_L90 That’s great! I hope you enjoy the full experience! And don’t be afraid to read footnotes or endnotes! It can make it that much richer! 💛🇫🇷
this review has such a wholesome quality, i don't know. it feels like talking to a friend about something they love.
Hi Julia! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! I am so glad that that’s the vibe you got from my video! And I did really, really love Les Miserables. Really. 🇫🇷
I cried too the last 30ish pages.
💛
I also cried during the ending.
I’m reading it now and I think it’s a masterpiece. The story, the writing is just beautiful. Hugo obviously had an unbelievable mind. It may end up topping War And Peace by the time I finish. We’ll see. It just has so much Heart.
You are right! It’s a book with so much Heart! 💛 I think it has surpassed my other favorite books to take the place of my all-time favorite books. Enjoy!
@@booksimnotreading You’ve probably read these but some other books you’d probably love is War And Peace, Anna Karenina, Lonesome Dove, East Of Eden, and a lesser known but truly phenomenal novel called A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith.
@@cdane7 I have not read War and Peace. For some reason I have no desire to. A Land Remembered sounds excellent! I will have to look for that. Thanks for the recommendations! 💛
It is wonderful how much enjoyment you were able to get out of Les Mis. I really enjoyed hearing you talk about it even if I am a bit late to watching.
It's never too late to watch a review video! They have the longest shelf life on Booktube! Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
After reading the book the first time I expressed to everyone I knew that Victor Hugo made me fall in love with him through his writing. It felt like I was saying goodbye to him when I closed the book LOL
@@phosiefox8782 He does have other books, although what could compare to Les Miserables?!?! I still feel like I am holding that book in my heart! Thanks for sharing with me! 💛🇫🇷
I am currently reading les mis in the original french (about 500 pages in) and loving it so so much :) the characters are really well written, and none of the things Hugo wrote about felt out of place, contrary to what people had warned me about beforehand. the chapter about 1817 was difficult (i wish i had had a version to hand with footnotes explaining each reference) but was great at setting the tone for the events surrounding fantine. my favourite passages so far have been: the conversation between the bishop and the old revolutionary; jean valjean's breakdown over being called monsieur; all the descriptions of his state of mind (leaving the prison with his evil thoughts, leaving the bishop completely taken aback and disorientated, leaving his town to voluntarily go to prison in the place of another unfortunate soul); and the chapter in which he begins to live with cosette. the book is so immersive as well, i feel like hugo's slow writing style enhances that beautifully :)
Maxime, hello! Thank you so much for sharing your experience of reading this book in French. The chapter on 1817 is difficult. If you have access to an English language copy in a library or bookstore, I would recommend just looking at the notes for that chapter. So many real people that his readers would have known! Wouldn't that have been an exciting in 1862? I hope you'll share with me more once you are done! I really appreciate you watching and commenting!
I just finished this book today, and my head has been an absolute whirlwind. I love this review, and especially the part about feeling like you knew Victor Hugo personally ! I feel the exact same way, and I would go as far as to say he feels like a friend
It’s by far and away the book that has stayed with me the most this year. I just wish he had written more sweeping, epic novels! Thank you so much for watching and sharing your thoughts! That means so much to me! 🇫🇷
How about War And Peace ? That’s a huge thick novel
Yes and for some reason, I don't know why, but I have no desire to read it. Aside from that, this isn't a video about only huge, thick novels.
War and Peace has defeated me all my life 😥
I tried to read it when a young teenager and again and again .. ....no, the only book that I hold up my arms and say "You win" 😅
Weird because I read a lot of Russian novels; infact, I read all of Dostoyevsky 's work bar one (on my TBR): The Idiot. I blame Leo 😅
That paragraph comparison was really interesting! I may be the minority, but I prefer the old version, lol.
That’s OK! That’s why multiple translations exist! 💛🇫🇷
As a lover of Moby Dick's whaling chapters I fully support your sewer defense!!
Great review Kelly, I have never read Hugo but I really got your delight over being immersed in the story and the characters. Reminds me of reading Kristin Lavrnsdatter!
When I do try Les Mis I will keep in mind your experience with translations.
Hey Jay! So wonderful to hear from you! My mother just recently lectured me that she couldn’t believe I haven’t read Moby Dick. Wow, she was really riled up! I would love for you to read Les Mis and hopefully share your experience with me. And I will remember your thoughts on the whaling chapters when I do read Moby Dick one day.🇫🇷💛
@@booksimnotreading When it comes to not having read a certain book or seen a certain movie, I like the sentiment of: "You haven't read/watched X? I'm so jealous that one day you'll get to experience it for the first time!" We can both have that for each other.
I LOVED this review Kelly, you're so vibrant and passionate about this book! I read the same translation a few years ago and really appreciated it, and the book is so deeply moving. Yes please to a discussion video with you and Jason reviewing the various adaptations you've seen, that would be a delight! So now I've requested a Cyrano discussion and a Les Mis discussion - your dance card is filling up fast! 😜
Oh, I forgot about the Cyrano one! I am so glad you enjoyed this review. I will tell Jason, but so far you are the only one to ask for it. Maybe people are tired of our banter? 😃 The book moved me so much more than I anticipated. Those last 30 pages were devastating. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 🇫🇷💛
I love that this book has made such an impact on you! I look forward to that kind of experience too! ⚜
Thank you Christine! I hope you will tell me ALLlllll about it when you read it! 🇫🇷
Great review Kelly. I must read this book. It will be priority for next year. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts I was looking forward to this video.
Happy reading 💛
Charmaine, thank you! That is very sweet of you. I would love it if you read Les Miserables next year. I’d love to hear what you think of it. I hope you are well. Are you on the Voxer app? I would love to talk to you outside the Comments section. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 🇫🇷💛
AMAZING! Thank you so much for mentioning my book club! So excited for the March read. I would love to see a film adaptation review 💕
I am so excited to read this in March! So many people have been raving about this book lately!
It feels like the book of the year! 🇫🇷
Yep -- moving this one up in my plans. It sounds wonderful. Thank you for allowing us to be transported with you.
Oh Kelly! Very exciting that you might read this. I would love to talk to you about it when you do read it! 🇫🇷💛
That was a wonderful, heartfelt, review. Thank you. I read Les Mis over 30 years ago when I was in France, and still think of it as one of the best books I've ever read. Your review jogged my memory about certain parts I'd forgotten (sewers!), and reminded me why the book made such an overall impression on me. Thanks again.
Hi Charles! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! I can’t imagine actually reading Les Mis IN France! I wish I had! There is so much that was new to me about the story and I am trying so hard to hold on to it. Thank you for sharing your story with me! 🇫🇷
I am excited to read this book! I am currently watching the 2018 miniseries, and I am in love with the story! PS: You have a wonderful laugh!
I am watching the same mini-series right now. But nothing is as good as the book! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! I hope you’ll hang around! 💛
It took Victor Hugo 17 years to write Les Miserable. I’m reading the Penguin Deluxe edition, Christine Donougher translation. So far so good but just beginning!
Enjoy!
Great review, Kelly! Very in-depth and passionate. Just an aside, I had that Lord of the Rings poster on your wall for years. I passed it on to my son since he's a great reader of fantasy stories. Thanks for the review!
Glad you enjoyed this! The poster is my husband's! LOL! That's why we switched sides in the library.
😆🧙♂️
I'm glad you enjoyed it, it's one of my favourite books.
It's AMAZING! I listened to the musical two-disc soundtrack yesterday and it lost some of it's shine, because the book is just incredible! Thank you so much for commenting and watching! I appreciate it!
@martins,
Indeed, it is a beautiful book.
One is on the verge of shedding a year and that is after every few pages.
It also a book to re-read on e every couple of years. The beauty of it is that you can read a few chapters from another book and return to LM to read a few pages without forgetting anything.....no need to check, it gets embedded in one's brain and soul.
As an avid,voracious reader, of the many,many books I have read in my life there are 5 that will always be my companions:-
1. Pride and Prejudice;
2. Great Expectations;
3. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
4. Les Miserable;
5. The Woman in White.
In no real particular order.
Kind regards from Cheshire, England;GB
I am looking forward to starting Les Miserables in March. I am glad you liked it. I love the Broadway play as well.
Oh, Mindy! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. Thanks for sharing with me! 🇫🇷
What happened to the doll ? It was put away with the dress or was it ?
Thanks.
Yes! I'm reading this now and loving it!
I haven't gotten to the long sewer-section yet, but I think the Hugo of Les Miserables sees himself as the poet of the most fetid and unpleasant elements of society; shining a light on the poverty and privation and social-mire that most people find utterly repugnant and stomach-turning and want to ignore. On this theme of sewage, even in the Waterloo section, Hugo makes a big deal out of one specific word -
'Yonder are all the kings of Europe, the general’s flushed with victory, the Jupiter’s darting thunderbolts; they have a hundred thousand victorious soldiers, and back of the hundred thousand a million; their cannon stand with yawning mouths, the match is lighted; they grind down under their heels the Imperial guards, and the grand army; they have just crushed Napoleon, and only Cambronne remains,-only this earthworm is left to protest. He will protest. Then he seeks for the appropriate word as one seeks for a sword. His mouth froths, and the froth is the word. In face of this mean and mighty victory, in face of this victory which counts none victorious, this desperate soldier stands erect. He grants its overwhelming immensity, but he establishes its triviality; and he does more than spit upon it. Borne down by numbers, by superior force, by brute matter, he finds in his soul an expression: “Excrément!”'
So happy you are enjoying this novel!
Something possessed me to start reading this book a few years ago. I wish I remembered what got me interested in it. I hadn't read a whole lot of classics and especially not translated ones. But something kept me going and kept me interested... and I finished it. I think it's a very good story with good characters. I've tried reading other mammoths after Les Miserables like War and Peace and The Count of Monte Cristo, but I lost steam with them and did not finish them. They just didn't interest me like Les Miserables did. I can see myself even rereading it one day.
Thanks so much for sharing! I hope I will get to reread it again someday too! 💛🇫🇷
It’s funny that everyone is like be prepared for a long part on the sewers. Like you I didn’t feel like things like that were as long as they get portrayed. I am glad to hear that you really enjoyed the book. I too in many ways didn’t want to leave the world Hugo created.
Thank you so much Sonja for sharing your thoughts. I could definitely see if I read another translation, I might not have been as interested in those parts because I didn’t have the context for it. When I finished the Waterloo section and realized how small that was in comparison to the overall book, I felt very differently about it. So glad you loved it as well! 🇫🇷
I am just starting Les Miserables! I'm reading it with a friend and am nervous and excited at the same time, lol.
That's so exciting! Its size can make it a bit scary. I would highly recommend reading an edition with good notes. I really think that changed the reading experience for me for the better. Will you let me know what you think when you finish? :)
@@booksimnotreading For sure!
Hi Kelly, great to find your channel!
I've finished reading The Count of Monte Cristo about 2 months ago and now reading LM.
Really appreciate your thoughts and will use them to motivate me to keep reading to the end!!
😍
Welcome! I’m so glad you found me! I plan on reading The Count of Monte Cristo at the start of next year! I know there are passages of LM that are challenging, but that book just lives within me. Hang in there! 💛
@@booksimnotreading
Thanks Kelly, although I know it'll take me a while to finish the book but I'll persevere to the end!
Great to know you're planning on reading The Count of Monte Cristo, you'll love it!!!😊
Same pinch. I first started Monte Cristo and today completed LM
@@rohansolanki9411Wow! that's a fantastic achievement!! It would be great to hear your thoughts! I'm about a quarter way into LM, it's quite addictive I find!!😊
The most fantastic book I have ever read. It’s so much more than a book. It is a journey of a lifetime. To me, much better than War and Peace. If you read only one book other than the Bible in your lifetime make it Les Miserables. It has now even surpassed The Brothers Karamazov and that’s saying something.
Hello Martha! What a wonderful comment. It IS the journey of a lifetime. Well said. 🇫🇷💛
My problem is my 2024 TBR list. It consists of 61 books and of those about 70% are brick-sized: more than 800 pages. As for the rest, the shortest is 239 pages ( I think I am right), but in average the short ones are about 470 pages.
Far-reaching The Count of Monte Christo does not he!p ; same goes for: The Divine Comedy; Paradise Lost; Middlemarch; East of Eden .....on and on.
Well, read 16 so far but to be honest so I cannot see how that TBR will be completed which is a shame because I planned it "so well" 😅
Kind regards from GB.
@@apollonia6656 You should feel amazing if you’ve already read 16 books this year! 💛
I wish I could say Yes, but I started with the less than 600 pages ones.....the brick-sized ones are waiting to melt my little grey cells to a pulp !
I have the Charles Wilbour translation which I believe was done shortly after the original book was published so it will reflect the context of Hugo's time. As a comparison, I just picked up the new Christine Donougher translation so it will be interesting to read this more modern version. I have always wanted to read Les Miserables and March seems like a great opportunity to do so. You have provided the impetus to finally tackle it so thanks!
Oh, how exciting! You promise to keep me posted on what you think of it? 🇫🇷
@@booksimnotreading I will although my thoughts probably won't be as coherent or as inciteful as yours!
@@binglamb2176 Nonsense! 💛
@@booksimnotreading Duh! I meant to say "insightful." Otherwise it would imply you are trying to cause a riot and I don't think that's the case!😂😂
@@binglamb2176 😂💛
Hi there. I just got the book. I had ordered it. I was really surprised at how big the book was. I hadn't watched this vlog ahead of time. I had seen one of your vlogs where you said how much you enjoyed it though. I won't be getting to it for a while but I was glad to get more information on it here. I would like to mention (althogh I think I did previously) my favorite book that I try to get people to read. It's Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly. I have it in hard cover with color illustrations. I've read it many times since I was 13 but it's still good. It breaks my heart in different ways everytime I read it but I love it. I also wanted to mention my favorite movie that I try to get people to watch. It's "Love With the Proper Stranger" starring Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen. They haven't made a good DVD of it but you can rent it or buy it with On Demand, if you have that. I also just wanted to mention the book The Dollmaker by Harriet Arnow Simpson. It is hard to get but I just got an extra paperback copy through Thrift Books. It's one that made me actually sob at one point too. It's very well written. Anyway, thank you for your vlog.
Thanks Betsy for sharing! I think I read Seventeenth Summer, but I don’t remember it - probably because it was more than a decade ago. Let me know when you begin reading Les Miserables. 💛
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Excellent review and I love your enthusiasm for the book. This might be the big book I read next year. I've actually never seen the musical or movie, (though I recognize some of the wonderful music), so I'd be going into it pretty blindly.
Oh, Kim! You should. I think it would be great to go in blind. Make sure you find a translation that you like. And it’s always good to have something to look forward to! 🇫🇷💛
Brilliant review Kelly! Your passion for Les Miserables is a joy to watch. I loved it too. Your thoughts on the ‘essay’ chapters were very interesting. I think I will go back to those sections for a re-read as I don’t think I gave them the attention they deserved. A little bit of laziness on my part and, as you mentioned, a desire to get back to the characters. Have you read Norte Dame? If not, I would recommend that too. Some wonderful scenes, including The Court of Miracles which , if I remember correctly, was mentioned in Les Miserables too.
Thank you Matthew! You are very kind. I haven’t read The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but it is definitely on my radar now as everything by Hugo is now on my radar. The Court of Miracles IS in Hunchback! No giving yourself a hard time for skimming through the “essays.” Some editions actually pull them out of the book and throw all of them in the back of the book, which is terrible to me! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! 🇫🇷
My friend Lauren is picking up two copies of this so we can read it together this year
Oh, how exciting! What translation are you going to read? 💛🇫🇷
@@booksimnotreading We're getting the Penguin Deluxe edition. I believe that's a translation from 1976?
@@LiterateTexan Hmm. Ok. Are there good notes?
@@booksimnotreading I haven't looked at it that closely yet. I'll check tomorrow when I go back into my office (That's where I left it.)
🇫🇷 What's up Kelly? Well that made me smile. Great review. I am all sorted for March of the Mammoths. I have a Japanese theme going for March. But recently I found out that a production of Les miserables is coming to Sydney in July. So now I'm thinking I need to read this before the show gets here. So Im thinking I might read this in May I have some time off so I can dedicate a fair bit of time to reading. Funny enough I did watch the BBC mini series towards the end of last year, and enjoyed it a great deal. Have you heard of David Bellos book "The Novel of the Century"? It's all about Les miserables, the history of the book, the various translations and so on, Mark at Booktime with Elvis talked about it in his Les miserables video . I have the Penguin Deluxe edition, as an ebook of course, Christina Donougher translation all set to go. Au revoir mon ami, Happy reading, go well.
Bonjour Nathan! I would love to know what you think of Les Miserables, so keep me posted. Yes, I did see the book by David Bellos book on Mark’s channel. I definitely want to read it … but I am not sure when. It sounds great. So many books, so little time. Thank you so much for always saying something funny or kind. You may not have a channel, but you are still a great Booktuber! Looking forward to hearing about your March reading. 🇫🇷
I'm just thinking, did the scene at the end of the Waterloo section actually have direct consequences on the plot?! You think it's going to in the Gorbeau tenement, but I don't think the actual outcome of that scene changes whether that connection exists or not
Yes, I think the scene at the end of the Waterloo had direct impact on the plot because his father has no idea the villain robbed him before getting help for him. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts! 🇫🇷
If anyone wants to read this book. I highly recommend following along with the Les Miserables reading Podcast, put out by a professional Hugo scholar and dives into everything about the novel. I found it super helpful when reading the book.
Ryan, thank you so much for sharing this! I also really appreciate you watching and commenting on this video.
I loved this video. One of my favorite books.
And now, one of my favorites as well. If only Hugo had written more 1200-page novels! 🇫🇷💛
Personally, I don't think you can truly understand the musical without reading the book. Upon watching the musical for the first time, I became very emotional at certain points and my wife didn't understand why.
That's a great story! I think if I saw it again, the experience would definitely be different. Thanks for commenting!
Hugo took 45 years to finish writing and it took me 5 years to finish reading . At that time I was bored but now I understand after 10 years how worth the book was.
Sometimes we just pick the wrong time on our lives to read something. Happens to us all! I am very glad you finished it and seem to appreciate it. Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
@@booksimnotreading I have read Les Miserables several times during my life. The first time when I was 19. I can say that it has touched me in different ways each time I have read it.
I have it, it occupies a fat portion on my shelf but I am afraid if I try to pick it up it might break my wrist 😅. I will try again
You can do it! 💛🇫🇷
Does anyone know what the smallest/lighest (physically) edition of this book is? I know it's long and I hate holding a big book too long.
Probably an e-book is the lightest. The paperback I’m holding is the lightest physical copy I have seen, but the type font was very small (I no longer own it). I hope you find something that works for you! 💛🇫🇷
@@booksimnotreading
Do you mean the one you hold at 6:08, which I believe is the Signet Classics one? Haven't watched the video just yet, but would you say that's your favourite translation?
@@babbisp1 The Signet Classic is the one I’m referring to, but I think the giant book I’m holding is my preferred translation by a long way. 💛
Did I mention I subscribed ?.But at the rate the typos are turning up via UTube, I think you might get utterly fed up.
Just consider the typos as a puzzle 😊
My sincerest apologies.
Glad you are “here.” 😃 Typos are accepted! 💛🇫🇷
Thank you 🙂
You and my sister think the same way about this book.
Well, what about you?
For me this book is by far the best I've ever read.
For me, Bleak House and Les Miserables are neck and neck, but there is no doubt this is an absolute masterpiece. Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
For me my favourite 5 novels:-
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Great Expectations
3 Les Miserables
4 Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
5. The Woman in White
Christine Donoughe’s translation is recent but it’s not too archaic and not too modern. Julia Rose’s is.
Hello Vanessa! So have you read both translations? That’s very impressive!
@@booksimnotreading side by side lol but I didn’t like Julie Rose’s hence I continued with Donougher’s translation.
@@FreyaVal Thanks for sharing!
Nice review about a wonderful book, i encourage all of you to read "les misérables" if not done yet.
Yes, I hope more people will get to experience this book. Thank you for watching and commenting! 🇫🇷💛
@@booksimnotreading You should read "Le comte de Monte-cristo" of Alexandre Dumas, i'm sure you gonna like and May be it Will be your next book review.
@@hakimbilou2242 I'm actually planning on reading that at start of next year!
🙂
🇫🇷
Unfortunately your review says little. It’s almost junk. I’m Just finishing up book now. I don’t believe as as many Americans read book. Women would hate this book. Too much political philosophy, revolutionary formations. Govt structures. Not much story about individuals depicted in movie, stage. Book is a mess. It’s awkward and digresses all over .
Well, Richard, we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
PS: Marius . UTube decided it should be Markus ! Sorry.
If you’ve left a comment about Les Mis, I am not seeing it - just the one about your TBR. 💛🇫🇷
Oh, my comment has vanished.
Nevermind.
I only mentioned Jean Valjean, Corset and Marius but UT spelled Marius as Markus !😂
Sorry !
PS: Here we go again ! UTube, it is Cosset not Corset 🙄
At this rate poor you will kick me out and I will she UTube!
@@apollonia6656 Never!
@@apollonia6656 Never!