Victor Hugo's classic

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Les Miserables
Victor Hugo's classic...

Victor Hugo's classic novel, detailing the life of convict Jean Valjean, who was imprisoned for 19 years for the heinous crime of stealing a loaf of bread. Upon his release, Valjean meets a Bishop who changes his life forever; he breaks his parol and goes on the run, becoming a beloved mayor known for his charitable nature. He saves the life of a hopeless woman, only to be found out by Inspector Javert, who has been hunting prisoner number 24601 for years. Valjean adopts the woman's daughter, Cosette. Cosette later falls for Marius, who in turn is wrapped up in a group of revolutionary students who dream of a new France... The students take their stand and all of them save Marius are killed; Valjean saves Marius' life only to be accosted once more by Javert. Valjean convinces Javert to allow him to carry Marius to safety, and Javert, unable to deal with his uncharacteristic break from his rigid code of conduct, commits suicide. Cosette and Marius are reunited, and later find Valjean on his deathbed. Valjean reveals to Cosette the story of her mother, and then... Well, he dies.

It's a beautiful (long) story... Anyone else read it? 

submitted by TNÖ, age 15, Deep Space
(May 10, 2009 - 9:59 pm)

back to the Blab about Books

Just an excerpt, which was in The Book of Virtues (William Bennett- excellent book). It sounds very involved. And the names are getting me a bit confused...

Anyhow, though, I thought "les miserables" meant "the orphans." That doesn't seem to be the most suitable title. Is my French just wrong, or am I missing something?

submitted by Mary W., age 11.35, NJ
(May 11, 2009 - 4:56 pm)

Les Miserables = The Miserable. ;)

Random fact: The shortest correspondence known is said to have taken place between Victor Hugo and his publisher shortly after Les Mis was published; Mr. Hugo was away on vacation and telegraphed his publisher: "?"

His publisher replied with, "!" 

submitted by TNÖ, age 15, Deep Space
(May 11, 2009 - 10:02 pm)

Haha! THat's funny! I like Les Mis, yet at the same time, no matter how many times I've read it, it makes my cry every time. I first read it in third or maybe second grade so yeah. It's a great book. I have the enormous Barnes&Nobles paperback edition, Mary Liz, if you wanted to know. I think B&N is pretty good when it comes to the old classics like the ones TNO is making threads about. WE MUST PUSH BACK THE WARRIORS!!!!

submitted by Jenni, age 12.5, Nowhere
(May 12, 2009 - 2:34 am)

front...

submitted by Mary W.
(May 11, 2009 - 4:57 pm)

Yes, Jenni! *takes up war cry* (There are still eight, though. :( )

Anyhow, you read a book that complicated-sounding when you were in second/third grade? Impressive. *nod*

Ah, the Miserable. *is sheepish* Yes. I see.

submitted by Mary W., age 11.35, NJ
(May 12, 2009 - 6:44 pm)

Yeah I wouldn't have been able to follow Les Mis in second/third grade. I didn't even learn to read until around that time... *sheepish grin*

submitted by TNÖ, age 15, Deep Space
(May 12, 2009 - 10:00 pm)

Really? Dyslexia or something? *is too inquisitive*

submitted by Mary W., age 11.35, NJ
(May 13, 2009 - 3:20 pm)

Nah. Just... couldn't be bothered, I guess. Dad was the same way, so maybe it's genetic.

I (apparently) read at a college-level now though. *shrug* Life is strange. 

submitted by TNÖ, age 15, Deep Space
(May 13, 2009 - 6:21 pm)

WHAT? I was reading Harry Potter in kindergarten! And I read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the first time all by myself when I was four, and those horrible "beginner books", ugh. I wasn't reading those very long. Haha. Well, yeah. I wanted to read Les Mis because I was in a little camp production of the musical the summer before I was a second-grader, which I loved so much :) that I had to read the book. And when my aunt saw what I was reading, she was like, "Wow!" haha.

submitted by Jenni , age 12.5, Nowhere
(May 13, 2009 - 3:30 pm)

I think it might have been the "beginner books" that put me off reading in the first place. I couldn't be bothered to learn until I started reading (well, listening to) Harry Potter and some of Dad's favourite books from his childhood. And then I was like, "oh cool, reading is fun!"

submitted by TNÖ, age 15, Deep Space
(May 13, 2009 - 6:23 pm)

*points at Jenni* Genius. --->

While we're bragging :) about our childhoods, :), does it count for anything that I knew words like "idiosyncratic" at age eight, or did we all? :)

submitted by Mary W., age 11.35, NJ
(May 13, 2009 - 6:45 pm)

"Oh, cool- reading is fun!" ? *is eerily reminded of teacher's creepy Six-Flag reading program* ;)

 

submitted by Mary W., age 11.35, NJ
(May 14, 2009 - 4:36 pm)

Except my revelation had absolutely nothing to do with overbearing, pompous reading programs. It was entirely natural, which, I think, is why I like reading so much now. :)

submitted by TNÖ, age 15, Deep Space
(May 14, 2009 - 11:07 pm)

Oh, good. (I despise the reading programs.)

submitted by Mary W., age 11.35, NJ
(May 15, 2009 - 3:51 pm)