I bought it so that my preteen kids can read it after they developed an interest in the muscial stage version of les mis and i wanted the older one 8th grader to. The narrator for this book has a fascinating range and magically creates many clear voices. Notable for its many subplots and digressions from the main storyline, the novels stated aim is a progress from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from falsehood to truth, which. However, several alternatives have been used, including the miserables. When hes done with that, he gives a long discussion of paris as though the city were a sort of person with a specific personality. It would be good if whisoersync for kindle was made available. Its also insightful social commentary, among the best and most interesting of writing genres, if you ask me. Les miserables, victor hugo les miserables is a french historical novel by victor hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. Great book spent 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, for almost two months listening to all 5 volumes of les miserables. The centaur classics edition of les miserables is unabridged and extremely wellformatted, though there are a handful of typos throughout. Its great because its an imaginative, beautifully crafted and uplifting story.
Indeed, this 19thcentury french authors books from the epic drama les miserables to the. One day, an ex convict wanders into the bishops village and cant find any food or lodging because everyone turns him away. Apr 25, 2008 set in the parisian underworld and plotted like a detective story, les misrables follows the adventures of jean valjean, originally an honest peasant, who has been imprisoned for nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sisters starving family. Les miserables unabridged and annotated edition by victor hugo sep 2, 2019. Notable for its many subplots and digressions from the main storyline, the novels stated aim is a progress from evil to good, from. In the case of les miserables it was eminently worth it. Les miserables abridged vs unabridged showing 150 of 84.
Hugo now turns to another leading character, marius. I normally would never read an abridged version, but now i dont know if i should take the book back sometime next week and try to find an unabridged version, or if i should just read the one i have now. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. I normally would never read an abridged version, but now i dont know if i should take the book back sometime next week and try to find an unabridged version, or if i.
Les miserables by victor hugo volume 4, part 1 full audio book. Set in the parisian underworld and plotted like a detective story, les misrables follows the adventures of jean valjean, originally an honest peasant, who has been imprisoned for nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sisters starving family. I went to the store today and bought les miserables, only to find out once i got home that it is the abridged version. Considered to be french novelist victor hugos masterpiece, les miserables, which was published in 1862, is a sprawling historical and philosophical epic that covers from 1815 through the paris uprising in 1832. Les miserables unabridged illustrated and annotated edition. Nice to know about waterloo, french revolution, french slang words, the paris sewer system, etc, but way to much information. I think the abridged version doesnt have the sidetracking. I finally bought my own les miserables book after borrowing the book 4 to 5 times from the library and renewing it another 4 to 5 times, i finally decided to buy it cause i cant possibly borrow it. The unabridged sometimes went deeper into history and side tales than i expected but always came back to add depth to the story.
The translation is clear and easy to follow, with poetry translated in the footnotes so as not to ruin the beauty of the original. What a great book, but some of the history lessons were a little too long. Aug 05, 2008 the book les miserables, abridged or unabridged. Les miserables is a terrific insight into french history. Mass market paperback published in 1987, 0375403175 hardcover published in 1998, kindle edition published in 2010, 159. An exconvict breaks parole and starts a new life as a righteous man, but is pursued by a police inspector. Les miserables illustrated by victor hugo nook book. The nook book ebook of the les miserables, complete and unabridged by victor hugo, les miserables, hugos les miserables, les miserables victor hugo due to covid19, orders may be delayed. Nice to know about waterloo, french revolution, french slang words, the. We weep with the unlucky and heartbroken fantine, and we exult with the heroic revolutionaries of the barricades. The story of jean valjean, a poor french boy who is arrested at the age of 19 for stealing a loaf of bread for his family, and who is sentenced to the quarries for seven years.
As for the story itself, les miserables is simply one of the greatest stories ever told. If you want the pure version, go with the unabridged. Les miserables is a french historical novel by victor hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels. Les miserables hapgood translation illustrated unabridged carefully crafted classics book 2 by victor hugo and isabel florence hapgood 4. I finally bought my own les miserables book after borrowing the book 4 to 5 times from the library and renewing it another 4 to 5 times, i finally decided to buy it cause i cant possibly borrow it again and again forever. As much a history or commentary as a work of fiction, les miserables is dominated by frances past. Les miserables study guide contains a biography of victor hugo, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. I bought this to replace an unabridged book i used to own but ended up missing somewhere during my life. Mar 03, 20 les miserables is a french historical novel by victor hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. What is the best version of les mis by victor hugo to read.
Mar 03, 20 les miserables has been popularized through numerous adaptations for the stage, television, and film, including a musical and a film adaptation of that musical. The nook book ebook of the les miserables complete and unabridged. Victor hugos les miserables is quite simply one of the most beautiful and affecting books ever written. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. He has also directed theatre on both sides of the atlantic, and his various writing credits include theatrical letters, published by marginalia, and under the blue, a collection of his own poetry, published by mimosa. What is the best version of the book les miserables by. You can also read the full text online using our ereader. Gillenormand, by threatening to disinherit marius, has forced georges.
New introductions commissioned from todays top writers and scholars. While the fictional aspects may seem to be an afterthought, hugos craft is. After his release, valjean plans to rob monseigneur myriel, a saintlike bishop, but cancels his plan. The books opens by describing the life of a really upstanding dude named bishop myriel. Les miserables, five volumes, complete by victor hugo.
There was no unabridged version available when i downloaded this. Les mis rables is a french historical novel by victor hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. I bought it so that my preteen kids can read it after they developed an interest in the muscial stage version of les mis and i wanted the older one 8th grader to read the book before the movie comes out this christmas. Les miserables by victor hugo meet your next favorite book. Anyone know if this version of the book is unabridged. Bill homewood has worked extensively for television and on stage in the west end, major theatres and the rsc. In a nearby town, georges pontmercy, marius father, a hero of the napoleonic wars, lives in retirement. A hardened criminal upon his release, he eventually reforms, becoming a successful industrialist and town mayor. Marius is a seventeenyearold who lives with his grandfather, m. The book is given its epic scope by the wealth of historical detail and meandering political rhapsodizing. In the englishspeaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original french title, which can be translated from the french as. On relistening, i realize that despite the fact the first volume of the novel is titled fantine read out at the start of the audiobook, her story is moreorless cut,and in a choppy and unsatisfactory manner. With 147 illustrations by emile bayard by victor hugo, mogul books, et al.
In the englishspeaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original french title. Along the way, the exconvict joins a revolution, adopts a daughter, and beats people up. The protagonist, jean valjean, is sentenced to prison for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. Two thirds of the book doesnt advance the plot, but it is a description of french life with amazing attention to detail. Naxos audiobooks les miserables unabridged bill homewood. In the sewers and backstreets we encounter the wolflike tread of crime, and assassination for a few sous is all in a days work. Les miserables is set in paris after the french revolution. If a writer wrote merely for his time, i would have to break my pen and throw it away, the largerthanlife victor hugo once confessed.
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