Reading the Classics discussion

Does anyone want to join me in a side read of Les Miserables? I've never read it and am about 400 pages in and would love to discuss!!

I've read it a few years back and I loved it! So beautifully written (although I'll admit, I skimmed a lot of the battle and historical sections), totally worth reading in its entirety.

I love it!! The characters are so wonderful...Hugo was a genius in his descriptions...Its absolutely heart-wrenching!!

I would love to!

I have been wanting to read this but I just don't have the time this month, too many books already on my TBR list! :(

Alana wrote: "I've read it a few years back and I loved it! So beautifully written (although I'll admit, I skimmed a lot of the battle and historical sections), totally worth reading in its entirety."

I really enjoyed the battle scenes - beautifully written. When I read the book I certainly struggled with it at times but it was well worth persevering with. Up there with my all time favourites!

Lisa wrote: "I would love to!" Yay!! Let me know when you want to start!

This has also been on my to read list. I have heard so many good things about it! I'll be watching this thread and if it takes off you can count me in.

I would be willing to start whenever you want to. I know that Kylie doesn't want to start this month, but if she wants to start in January that is fine with me. I am very flexible so just let me know and I will begin reading.

Stuart wrote: "Alana wrote: "I've read it a few years back and I loved it! So beautifully written (although I'll admit, I skimmed a lot of the battle and historical sections), totally worth reading in its entiret..."

The battle scenes were easier to understand when I read the Cliff's notes on them. They explained really well how the theme of the battle fit the theme of that section of the book. I still skimmed a lot of the details tho. I've always had a hard time reading battle scenes; I just can't make the images work in my mind unless I see it play out on a map on a screen.

Lisa wrote: "I would be willing to start whenever you want to. I know that Kylie doesn't want to start this month, but if she wants to start in January that is fine with me. I am very flexible so just let me kn..." Ok well I've already started and am about 400 pages in so start whenever you can and feel free to start the discission!! :-)

I am sorry I just found out that my Dec. is just about to get really busy so I won't be able to start until Jan. this book looks really great though so I hope to be able to read it in Jan.

Just starting these today

It's high on my 're-read when I have the time' list. I love the way he takes time to develop characters - especially Monseigneur Bienvenu: chapters about a character who bows out very early in the 'story' (although he plays a pivotal role).

I really enjoyed reading this. Remember being surprisingly fascinated by the chapter on the Paris sewers! So frustrating that my re-read can't be now, I'd love to talk to people about it. And much as I love the musical, the source has so much more to offer!

Ok I'm half way through and I must say this is one of the most important books in all of literature to read. These days, we (Americans), especially during the holidays, get wrapped up in a cloud of selfishness and consumerism...this book will put all of that and more into perspective. Human suffering and the need to treat others, no matter their socioeconomic circumstances, with dignity and respect is something that transcends time and place. The story of Jean Valjean and Fantine and of Cosette and Marius reminds you of that. I can't recommend this book enough!!

If the conversation is still going on in January, count me in! I may be able to start late dec but in January I will absolutely be reading it! Can't wait! :)

Kylie it's totally worth reading. In fact, it's one of the few on my "to re-read" list, it's that good!

Alana,
It's been on my TBR list for so long and I've heard so many great things about it! I just want to finish The Brothers Karamazov first! Don't want to get into two long classics at once, seems like that could become overwhelming very quickly! Plus I have about 3 other books to read this month. I'm in for January though!

O, no, I wouldn't recommend reading them at the same time. They're both very lengthy and frankly, if you start Les Mis, you will end up finishing it first because it's much more fun and engaging than B.K., imo. I like long books, but I can't do more than one or two of them at once, and only if they are COMPLETELY different genres (i.e. a fantasy and a classic).

But seriously, read it one day, it's very worth it.

have it on my TBR list for january too

I am going to start reading it with Caity on Wednesday when she gets home! Yay!!

maybe Ill remember and start on Wednesday as well

Melissa wrote: "I love it!! The characters are so wonderful...Hugo was a genius in his descriptions...Its absolutely heart-wrenching!!"

I just LOVE the way Hugo describes everything. He has a completely different way of explaining things and the way he wields words just amazes me. This book can get long, but most of the time I barely noticed because the characters, story, and narration is so heartfelt and intriguing.

I am going to get the Librivox recording of this and listen over a period of a few months in between other things, I think. I've read it within the last 5 years, but a reread would be nice. I'll pop in as I get to good sections :)

Finally got out to see Les Mis last night. Wow! Anne Hathaway was incredible, the kids were excellently cast and the whole thing flowed together so well that I had to keep reminding myself I wasn't in a Broadway theater and not supposed to clap! I highly recommend it.

I'm listening to the audiobook version of Les Miserables and I adore it so far. I was always a bit intimidated by it before but it is so easy to sink in to the story.
I'm hoping to watch the movie when I'm finished with it. I've seen an older version years ago, but not the newest movie.

I'm almost halfway into Les Miserables, but I tend to read a big chunk, then read something else, then go back to it (usually because a book I have on hold at the library is available, and I only have so long to read it). Anyway, I would love some discussion on Les Miserables, because it is FANTASTIC!!!

Im currently reading Les Mis too! On Volume 2 of the Wordsworth Classic edition...Cosette has transformed into a beauty and has seen Marius. Who else is on the same page and want to discuss? Add me as a friend! :)

Just discovered this thread. I'm in progress with Les Mis for a book club that has it scheduled for May. (This one definitely needs some lead time!)

I'm up to Book III within Cosette. So far, I love it.

One quick observation so far: Stream of consciousness writing is something of a modernist thing (James Joyce, etc.). But I have to tell you, the part where Jean Valjean was wrestling with himself over whether to reveal his identity in court or let the other guy take the rap for him was by far the most amazing inner dialogue I'd ever seen. Although Hugo was well before the modernists and was writing just-plain prose, nothing I've seen later from the stream-of-consciousness crowd came nearly as close to Hugo at making me really FEEL that I actually was Jean Valjean and wrestling with these issues. Breathtaking stuff, absolutely breathtaking!

Marc wrote: "Just discovered this thread. I'm in progress with Les Mis for a book club that has it scheduled for May. (This one definitely needs some lead time!)

I'm up to Book III within Cosette. So far, I lo..."

I read it a long time ago, but now you reminded me how I really loved this part. It was amazing, couldn't agree more!
And just for the record: If there are only few books in the world that deserves a second read, I think this one is undoubtedly one of them :)

For those who want to discuss it now, it's currently being read as a side read (but well attended) by the Chunksters group.

"Les Miserables" is one of my all-time favorites. I read it a few years ago and was mesmerized with Hugo's writing, which is heartfelt and has such great power of transport. And I love the film musical starring Ann Hathaway.

A hefty tome you need to really commit time to!