Les Miserables

[rufustfirefly]

Finally got around to reading this novel. i am only halfway through and I am enjoying it immensely. I tried to use the search feature to find a discussion thread. I am unable to do so. Any help would be appreciated.

[kiki1982]

There are loads of threads on the Victor Hugo forum, Les Misérables-section. ;)

But your thread will probably be moved anyway now.

What would you like to discuss? (the book, I know, but what aspect as it is VAST)

[rufustfirefly]

Thanks. I really never dove into the author links at the bottom of the forum. Now i will.

What happened to Faulkner in the Author forums ?

[dfloyd]

That is why Faulkner and many other authors are missing.

Most people who read Les Misrables read an abridged version. If you have read the unabridged version, I congratulate you. I read an unabridged version in five volumes. Tedious at times, but I got through it, including Hugo's description of the battle of Waterloo swhich is a small book unto itself.

For more background, read The Mysteries of Paris by Eugene Sue. This is the book Hugo read about the sewers of Paris in order to get background he needed. A longish book, but much easier to read than Les Miserables.

[hazelk]

I have not read the novel, however yesterday I watched the last episode of the mini series made in France. I am sure that it would have been as true as possible to the book. A very interesting story, I liked the visual of Javert's death, John Malkovich played the role magnificently.

[kiki1982]

You are mentioning the last one made in 2000, right?

That was indeed a feat of French cinema. Particularly John Malkovich's part was so excellently written that I think it is hard to ever beat it. And he was so amazingly modest about the whole thing, believing his French wasn't good enough. It was Depardieu who convinced him to do it. Malkovich claimed he did not notice the development in his text as he is so concentrated when he is working. Then it shows just how good, how sublime, the script was written.

I love the way Didier Decoin made bad people pitiable and good people corrupted. So very very true to the original purpose of the epic.

Sorry, just having a blow out here :blush:.

[Big Dante]

I have not read the novel, however yesterday I watched the last episode of the mini series made in France. I am sure that it would have been as true as possible to the book. A very interesting story, I liked the visual of Javert's death, John Malkovich played the role magnificently.

I saw one of the parts of that on tv the other day. The following day I bought the book and I am ordering the mini series tomorrow. I was always planning to read Les Miserables and that was all the inspiration I needed.

[hazelk]

Kiki,
Yes that would be the one, made in 2000 I am sure.

It was on SBS TV, I just loved Malkovich in his ankle length, belted leather coat, he was so good as a baddy. As far as his french went I did not notice as I was too busy reading the subtitles.

The music score was quite haunting.

[BienvenuJDC]

Malkovich played Javert? How interesting...
I must check out that version.

[kiki1982]

I've got the thing in French with German subtitles or dubbing (live in Germany and picked it up for a reduced price), so I can't do anything else but watch it in French, German being a bit awkward.

John Malkovich claimed that his French wasn't good enough becaue he lives in France and speaks it ok, but did not know whether he could face a truly French film script and certainly not one inspired by Hugo. His pronunciation is excellent though, otherwise they would not have cast hm without dubbing his role (done in other films like Danton where Robespierre is a Pole speaking Polish and his role dubbed in French; it was a huge co-production). So, essentially, Malkovich, in some instances, did not fully understand the script or not like a Frenchman would understand it, let's say and he said he is always so concentrated on the particular part he is doing at that moment that he is not concerned with the bigger picture. Potentially, I can imagine, that can go dramatically wrong, ut not with a good script.

José Dayan as a director, did a good job in directing the whole thing.

It was quite renewing as well as there was a pragmatic note for Javert and Thénardier, who are usually made bad baddies, but here they turn human. Clever and how Hugo intended it to be.

[BienvenuJDC]

I'd love to dissect the characters of Valjean and Javert. Or even all the characters....
I don't have as much time these days, so my input would be briefer than I'd like to make it.

As is my screenname...would anyone like to discuss the character M Myriel, Bienvenu, bishop of Digne?