Miscellany Pages - Book Group with Variety - Expand Your Reading Horizons discussion

I've reached the triumphant 50% mark of Les Misérables!

I think what makes this book different to any other that I have read before is that Victor Hugo is not only concerned with the story immediately surrounding his characters, but with creating an accurate picture of the entire country and time period in which the story takes place.

This can make it feel as if he is going off on a tangent at times, but it certainly has helped me to become absorbed in the atmosphere of post-revolutionary France.

What have you found different or unusual about the experience of reading Les Misérables?

I am finding one of the most impressive aspects of Les Misérables is the characters - I don't think I have ever read a book with such intricate and developed characters. At times they feel almost real enough to touch!

Who is your favourite character so far?

I think the role of the narrator (Hugo) is very important. Without the digressions, I think Les Miserables would become just another sprawling melodrama like Count of Monte Cristo or Eugene Sue's The Mysteries of Paris. In fact when the first volume of Les Miserables was released, a French critic stated the plot and characters resembled Sue's novels and would be pretty much forgotten about in a few years. How wrong he was. Very few people know The Mysteries of Paris today but Les Miserables is a classic.

I wouldn't go as far as to say it is a 100% accurate description of Post Revolutionary France but it is the world according to Victor Hugo. In some ways Les Miserables represented everything Hugo believed in at that point. Sometimes the writing is odd, especially the Valjean dream sequence which has been the subject of more than a few essays.

I don't know if you have reached that point yet but the section "Tempest in a skull" is the best writing I have read from any novel.

Rob wrote: "I think the role of the narrator (Hugo) is very important. Without the digressions, I think Les Miserables would become just another sprawling melodrama like Count of Monte Cristo or Eugene Sue's T..."

Yes, I do not object at all to the digressions because I think they make the novel more immersive to read. Your idea that they also make the book far much more than just the story itself is interesting, I hadn't thought about it in that way before.

I am getting used to Hugo's writing style and have lots of highlights on my Kindle of beautiful, poignant quotes that seem to be scattered throughout. I haven't reached the "Tempest in a skull" section yet but will look forward to it as it sounds very special.

Les Misérables is the longest book I have ever attempted to read. I am thoroughly enjoying being immersed in the story, but at times it requires more effort than reading 'lighter' books. I think my top tip would be to break it up with shorter books in between rather than trying to finish it all in one go. I also have a character list tucked into the front of my Kindle that I jot notes onto so that I can keep track of who is who!

What would be your tips for reaching the finish line of this epic story?

I read this book in high school, and I loved every page of it. I remember that when I was down to the last 50 pages or so, I actually started mourning the end of the book. I was so immersed in the life of Jean Valjean, I was heartbroken that the story was coming to an end.

Now, many years later, I downloaded it to my Kindle to read again. As I started reading, I thought, "is this even the same book?" The introduction didn't even seem familiar to me. Even when I got to the familiar part, it was heavy going for me, and I have not finished it.

My two takeaways are this: I was a much better reader in high school than I am now! Back then I would plow eagerly into the longest of books. Now I shy away from anything over 400 pages -- it has to be REALLY good to keep my attention for that long. Secondly, I would honestly suggest that any newcomers might want to read a good condensed version of Les Miserables (that is probably heresy to some). I think the plot could stand on its own quite well without some of the digressions that are difficult to read through.

I have favorite books that I will read over and over, like Little Women. Les Miserables is not one of those, but it still is a favorite because of the indelible mark it left on me. I will never forget the time I spent with Jean Valjean, and how "real" he was to me.

Wendy wrote: "I read this book in high school, and I loved every page of it. I remember that when I was down to the last 50 pages or so, I actually started mourning the end of the book. I was so immersed in the ..."

I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed the book when you were younger - it certainly is easy to get lost in the world of France after the Revolution. I think a lot of the more 'literary' people in my book club would stare in horror if I mentioned a condensed version but to be honest I am struggling a little through the digressions as well. It is particularly difficult as I don't understand a lot of Hugo's references. However, every time I see the characters' names again and I know we are back to the main story I get very excited, as I am thoroughly enjoying Jean Valjean's tale itself!

I thought it would be nice to ask what everyone's favourite part of Les Misérables is so far?

I have just read the scene where the barricade is overcome. It was so dramatic and emotionally taut - I felt as if my heart was in my mouth the whole time!

This, for me, has definitely been the most memorable part of the story so far - I would love to hear yours!

I have finally finished Les Misérables and am feeling very triumphant! The book has been a big part of my life since I started reading it at the beginning of July. I became so immersed in the story, particularly towards the end, that I felt a real sense of loss when I turned the last page.

Does anyone have any suggestions for another long classic that I can get lost in next?

miscellanypages wrote: "I have finally finished Les Misérables and am feeling very triumphant! The book has been a big part of my life since I started reading it at the beginning of July. I became so immersed in the story..."

That's exactly how I felt! I was melancholy for a number of days when the book came to an end. I don't remember many, if any, other books that affected me that way.

Wendy wrote: "miscellanypages wrote: "I have finally finished Les Misérables and am feeling very triumphant! The book has been a big part of my life since I started reading it at the beginning of July. I became ..."

Yes, now I know what you were talking about earlier in the discussion! I have to admit to having a bit of a love-hate relationship with Les Mis, but I really miss it now that there is no more left to read. As you say, it must be a powerful story to leave such an impression.

Here is my mini-review of Les Mis, along with 9 helpful reading tips and a free character list download!

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