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Les Miserables


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Les Misérables is set in the Parisian underworld. The protagonist, Jean Valjean, is sentenced to prison for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. After his release, Valjean plans to rob Monseigneur Myriel, a saintlike bishop, but cancels his plan. However, he forfeits his parole by committing a minor crime, and for this crime Valjean is haunted by the police inspector Javert. Valjean eventually reforms and becomes under the name of M. Madeleine a successful businessman, benefactor, and mayor of a northern town. To save an innocent man, Valjean gives himself up and is imprisoned in Toulon. He escapes and adopts Cosette, an illegitimate child of a poor woman, Fantine. Cosette grows up and falls in love with Marius, who is wounded during a revolutionary fight. Valjean rescues Marius by means of a flight through the sewers of Paris. Cosette and Marius marry and Valjean reveals his past. The story has been filmed several times and made into a musical by the composer Claude-Michel Schönberg and the librettist Alain Boublil, opening in 1980 in Paris. The English version was realised in 1985 and the Broadway version followed two years later.

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Recent Forum Posts on Les Miserables

Les Miserables?

Although I started to read this book, Les Miserables some time ago and even started a discussion about the book, I had to lay the book down due to some issues going on domestically. However, I am in a position now to re-start the book as well as the discussion, and I would enjoin anyone who might be interested in doing so -- join me. When I started the discussion some time ago, I did notice (by way of correspondence with others) that there are some problems with the translations, and I would like to bring those forth to the group as well and discuss what they might mean in terms of the entire text, or in individual chapters. I currently have the copy translated by C.E. Wilbur. This is a fascinating story! I would like others interested to join me in this endeavor! :D

Posted By mea505 at Mon 15 Jun 2009, 3:32 PM in Les Miserables || 2 Replies

Literary Discussion of Selected Passages

I'd like to begin a thread discussing particular passages from the work, Les Miserables. Please provide some input about your favorite selections for discussion. We will choose a selection from suggestions and an appointed time to begin the discussion.

Posted By BienvenuJDC at Tue 28 Apr 2009, 1:14 AM in Les Miserables || 20 Replies

Valjean's strength

I've always wondered what Hugo meant to symbolize by giving Valjean his incredible Herculean strength. Having studied some medieval romances, I remembered another convention involving great physical strength. In some stories (I'm thinking of some Arthurian ones), some knights believe that one cannot be strong/defeat their enemies without being pure (i.e. chaste). Once they lose their virginity, they supposedly lose their strength and prowess in battle. This belief is rooted in their Christian faith...that somehow if they sully their bodies, God disapproves, and punishes them by removing their strength. Seems to me the case in Les Miserables is working in reverse. Jean Valjean (although not a virgin) experiences a religious epiphany in the hands of Bishop Myriel and is blessed with great strength. Then, he uses his strength wisely...to save people like Fauchelevant, instead of abusing it. Of course, my theory doesn't work if Jean Valjean was always strong. Am I wrong in believing he showed great strength while in prison working amongst the chain gang? What do you think? Is Hugo borrowing from the medieval chivalric tradition?

Posted By Wilde woman at Thu 5 Mar 2009, 3:20 PM in Les Miserables || 4 Replies

What does it mean when a name only has the first letter and a dash?

I've read alot of books where it says something like "Bishop of D___" and does not include the full name. What does this mean? Why was it done? How am I meant to pronounce this? I did read somewhere in a French history book that the town that the D___ is referring to is a real place and they named it. But I would like to know how to read these in general?

Posted By Thistleryver at Mon 15 Dec 2008, 10:30 PM in Les Miserables || 6 Replies

Les Miserables, Anyone?

Anyone wishing to start reading the novel, "Les Miserables," by Victor Hugo, please leave a message. I would like to start discussing the novel with an interested party as we read it. At the moment, I am also involved with a discussion about the novel, "Demons," authored by Dostoevsky. That discussion, although with only one other person, is going real well. I have found that it's easier to read these sort of novels (I don't generally read the contemporary literature) while also considering the work as it is involved in a discussion about the characters, the plot, etc. Anyone is invited to participate, and I would really like as many people as possible. This is my first Victor Hugo novel, and thus far, I have found it fascinating. I am reading the C.E. Wilbur translation. --Thanks, Mark

Posted By mea505 at Sun 16 Nov 2008, 11:29 AM in Les Miserables || 31 Replies

Les Miserables translated by Isabel Hapgood

How is this particular translation regarded? The only reason I have this particular one is because it is available for free on Gutenburg.com, and I can load it into my ebook device which has remarkably enhanced the reading experience. No, I am not starting a thread on ebook devices, so don't worry :). We all know that all translations are not equal. I wish sites like amazon.com would review translations.

Posted By profnachos at Mon 20 Oct 2008, 6:44 PM in Les Miserables || 1 Reply

What is the inscription on Valjean's stone?

At the end of Les Miserables, Hugo writes that someone wrote in pencil on Valjean's gravetone. The lines are in french. Can someone tell me what the inscription on the stone says in english? Thanks:blush:

Posted By johnevans1 at Fri 12 Sep 2008, 10:36 PM in Les Miserables || 1 Reply

Classic of the Week (Poll): Les Misérables

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/13740000/13745233.JPG One of the most widely read novels of all time, Les Misérables was the crowning literary achievement of Victor Hugo’s stunning career. Though he was considered the greatest French writer of his day, Hugo was forced to flee the country because of his opposition to Napoleon III. While in exile he completed Les Misérables, an enormous melodrama set against thebackground of political upheaval in France following the rule of Napoleon I. How do you like this classic and how would you rate it on a 1-10 scale? This poll will close in 1 week!

Posted By misterlit at Mon 11 Aug 2008, 9:27 AM in Les Miserables || 4 Replies

movie?

Is anyone going to make a movie version of the musial "LES MISERABLES"? It seems that every other broadway play has been made, some even twice.

Posted By sonnyfla at Sun 6 Jul 2008, 4:38 PM in Les Miserables || 0 Replies

Les Miserables; A new translation by Julie Rose

This may be a silly question, but, I took an interest in Les Miserables by watching the play. Recently I purchased the book with a new translation by Julie Rose; and am wondering how I went about reading it. The contents pages tell me that there are five parts, but within them parts are chapters (I am guessing) from books of Les Miserables. E.g. Part One: Fantine BOOK ONE. A Just Man BOOK TWO. The Fall BOOK THREE. In The Year 1817 BOOK FOUR. To Entrust Is Sometimes To Abandon BOOK FIVE. The Descent BOOK SIX. Javert BOOK SEVEN. The Champmethieu Affair BOOK EIGHT. Aftershock Do I read through the book as any other book or do i read all of book one in part one, then two, then three, four and five; then carry one book two in parts one, two, three, four and five? Please advise. Thankyou.

Posted By whitney.g at Sat 5 Jul 2008, 2:29 PM in Les Miserables || 2 Replies

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