Mount TBR 2019 discussion

Welcome everyone who wants to join a bunch of us Climbers reading Les Misérables the French historical novel by Victor Hugo.
This is a big read for me, I've had it on my TBR list for, oh, 20 years. For the record, I watched the 2012 movie (with Hugh Jackman) so that I'd not get discouraged with the bulk of it. I understand the arch of the story and how things fit together.
I'm sure the book will be better (than Hugh? Uh... maybe not?)...

So, WELCOME! Introduce yourselves and we'll catch up the first weekend of February.

This is on my list to read this year too, maybe Feb is the time!

Can’t wait!

This is on my TBR for this year as well, although I've already started it. Started on January 1 with Serial Reader.

Oh heck yeah! I want to read this book so badly, but its bulk is SUPER intimidating to me, so this should help with that!

I've had it on my TBR for a while (since the 2012 movie, tbh), but size scared the hell out of me and I'm used to reading long books (up to 1.000 pages, at least). But hopefully, this is the year for these gigantic classics - I'm also buddy reading War & Peace (yes, I KNOW, I'm insane!)

OK, So movie watching is helpful! Good, I'll have to re watch it before I dive in... Thanks Jessika!

I was avoiding this as the bulkiest book on my TBR pile, but I LOVE THE MOVIE and theatre show! So I am down to read with you all :). Will we have page targets? Are we trying to read this beast in February? I don't know about you all but I am *not* going to read this in one go without breaks!

I'm interesting in joining up if that's alright. This has been on my list for quite some time also. And the book is supposed to be amazing. I don't have a good excuse for why I haven't picked it up yet.

Hi Everyone Joining me on the Les Mes Buddy Read!
HOUSE KEEPING:
*The official start is Feb 1.
*There are no target page or finish time.
*We'll discuss as we go, Please mark comments as SPOILER for anyone who's not at the same place.

It is a BIG book... so we'll work though it together.
I've got my copy already and plan to start a couple of weeks early... because it's gonna take a while to read.

How long are you taking to read it?

As long as you need

I have a copy of this book, so I could join in too. I'll be frank (and please don't anyone take this as a slight), I hated the musical when I listened to the original cast recording, so I haven't seen it staged nor watched the movie and don't know anything about the plot beyond the sketchiest outline.

Okay! So a few days until the official START of Les Mis Buddy Read 2019!
Roll call:
Who are you?
Have you started or read Les Mis before?
How long has it been on your TBR pile?
Have you seen the movie or are using it to help you get through it?

I'm July and I have started it. I'm 10% done! It's been on my pile for about 20 years... So this is the year I take it off! It's been a couple of years since I've seen the 2012 movie, and I plan to watch it again if I get stuck.

I’m Rebecca and I’ve never read it before. I’ve never seen the movie in its entirety, but I’ve listened to the soundtrack a million times and seen the musical twice. I’ve wanted to read the book since I was in 7th grade five years ago and I saw the musical for the first time, but I only purchased the book about 11 months ago form a used books store.

I’m Erin. I’ve owned this book for maybe five years and have had it on my list to read since I was in junior high about 18 years ago. I remember watching the musical in school and being obsessed. I haven’t watched the musical in years and have not seen the movie. I have never read the book before, due to the size mostly but I’m on track to start with you guys on the first.

I'm Natalia and this books has been on my TBR since I watched the movie and became obsessed with it. The size was always a put off, but I'm hoping to finally conquer this beast! I may watch the BBC new series while I read to motivate myself or if I get stuck.

Things I've done to prepare:
This is a MONSTER of a book! So, to help myself out I read the following two articles from Wikipedia.
I needed some solid background on the French Revolution for better context.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_...

And Wikipedia had what I found to be a really good overview of the book. Giving me a grasp of the main characters and how they relate to one another in the book.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis...

With a book this epic, the help to understand the base story and background could be helpful.
=) July

You all have inspired me to join in and read this book as well. Hello, my name is Pamela. It felt like I've read this book, but I'm sure I haven't. Instead I watched the Gérard Depardieu film/tv miniseries version several times. I've wanted to read the book for nearly 20 years, and do not own a copy of the book. So it won't count for me with this MtTBR, but will for the Virtual Challenge.

I'm attempting this book via Serial Reader, beginning today. It says there are 233 episodes so it will take me about 8 months. That is, unless I get so into it and seek out a full eBook version, the reading will take me most of this year.

Good luck everyone!

July wrote: "Things I've done to prepare:
This is a MONSTER of a book! So, to help myself out I read the following two articles from Wikipedia.
I needed some solid background on the French Revolution for better..."

I haven't tried going this route with books in the past. Thanks for the information. It was interesting to read for sure, and I can see how this will be helpful in getting the full meaning of the text. It's good to know up front as well about how and about where Hugo digresses from the storyline. I remember finding this frustrating when reading The Hunchback of Notre-Dame since I was not prepared to see it prior to starting the book. Knowing ahead of time will help me appreciate the digression for what it is instead of trying to figure out what this has to do with the plot.

Jessika! I'd love to know what chapters are the "dry bits." I'm finding that the "good stuff" of the story is really good, but the dry stuff is hard to read.

Am I the only one who'd like a heads up? We could start a thread somewhere that only lists the dry chapters that can be skipped or skimmed when reading?

VOTE: Yes to a thread warning for the dry chapters or NO if you don't wan't to know...

=) July

I vote YES on the warning thread. That would be really helpful in knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel when things get dry.

**DRY BITS AREA**
Reply to this Post the chapters you find are dry and deviate from the story line.

Just put the Book its in, the chapter # and title (if you can, depending on the format you are reading).

For those that are struggling: This is for you! Maybe the chapter is one on this list that can be skimmed (skipped?) before getting to the rest of the story.

Thanks everyone for Adding to it!

PS if anyone has a better way to manage this, let me know!

July wrote: "**DRY BITS AREA**
Reply to this Post the chapters you find are dry and deviate from the story line.

Just put the Book its in, the chapter # and title (if you can, depending on the format you are ..."

Book 3 Ch 1 "The Year 1817"

Pamela wrote: "You all have inspired me to join in and read this book as well. Hello, my name is Pamela. It felt like I've read this book, but I'm sure I haven't. Instead I watched the Gérard Depardieu film/tv mi..."

What a good idea! I love Serial Reader for long reads, Pamela. Now, I’m tempted to join in on Les Mis readalong for the Virtual TBR since I have been wanting to read it but didn’t have a copy. (BTW, when things get exciting, I tend to read more than one SR episode at a time ;).

July wrote: "**DRY BITS AREA**
Reply to this Post the chapters you find are dry and deviate from the story line.

Just put the Book its in, the chapter # and title (if you can, depending on the format you are ..."

Part III Book 2; III "The Broken Shackle" Pretty dry to start... Pick up reading at the Paragraph that starts: "One morning the crowd of onlookers..."

July wrote: "**DRY BITS AREA**
Reply to this Post the chapters you find are dry and deviate from the story line.

Just put the Book its in, the chapter # and title (if you can, depending on the format you are ..."
*SPOILERS*

Unless you want a REALLY detailed account of a convent you can skip: Part Two Book 6 Let Petit-Picups. My edition edited out Book 7, putting it in the appendix... so if you have it, I'd skip it too and go to Book 8 "Cemeteries Take What They are Given"

It's about the convent that Jean Valjean takes refuge in. To sum up: it's a REALLY strict convent with an all girls school and a patchwork convent of other nuns who were displaced by the Revolution.

July wrote: "**DRY BITS AREA**
Reply to this Post the chapters you find are dry and deviate from the story line.

Just put the Book its in, the chapter # and title (if you can, depending on the format you are ..."

Part 3 Book 1 "Paris in Microcosm" It has it's merits... And Hugo clearly loves Paris. It has little to do with the story of Jean Valjean. My suggestion: Skim it until the last chapter XII "The Boy Gavroche."

NEAR MID-FEBRUARY
How's everyone doing? I've gotten stuck. I was on a good roll for a while, then between sick kiddos, husband and myself... I've not made much progress.

I'm in Part 3, Book 5, Chapter 1 "Marius Penniless" Half way through Les Mis. (And I've been here for nearly a week)

What are your challenges getting through Les Mis?
Are the Dry Bits areas helpful?
Where are you at in the book?

Post your update below =)

I'm a lot earlier in the process than you guys. I'm reading a paper copy and am a slow reader. From time to time I can listen to audiobooks, but this one seems to have to much going on for me to be able to follow by listening. I've resigned to the fact that this is going to take me awhile to read. It doesn't read quickly for sure, but it's been interesting to think about some of the ideas brought out in the text up to this point. I'm 119 pages in, and I find the experience of Jean Valjean upon leaving prison to be sad. (view spoiler)[Can you imagine the hate that he experienced during his walk and all of that hate came from him stealing a loaf of bread. I've got to say though that it's also is something that anyone with a felony experiences in the U.S. on a certain level today. Felons are unable to vote, have difficulty finding employment (outside of low paying manual labor type of positions), and are challenged when it comes to finding reputable housing. There are exceptions to the rule of course, but this is part of what brings the recidivism percentages up so high. There is limited opportunities and no money. In Arkansas, prisoners are not paid like they are in other states, so they literally start out with nothing. It's interesting to see this struggle given a personal viewpoint from the view of Valjean. I'm curious what you guys think of the severity of the laws in France during this time. They seemed very strict to me. Why do you think this was?

I was also really struck by impact that the kindness shown to Valjean by the bishop had on him overall. At the beginning of the book I wondered what the Bishop had to do with the story and why Hugo went into so much detail describing this character and his strong faith. It made sense after watching him allow Valjean into his home the way that he did and after the candle sticks. I felt for Valjean when he tried to search out the boy who he'd stolen the 40 sous (I think that's how much it was anyway) from. It was clear the remorse that he felt not only for having stolen but also for so many actions in his life. (hide spoiler)]

As far as the dry bits notes, I haven't made it far enough in the book to apply them, but I've made notes for those parts. So, I'm ready.

I just finished book 1, so only 4% done. As I'm reading via serial reader I expected it to go slow, but not this slow! I'm behind with the issues. It isn't the book, as much as time. This past week or so I've had almost not time for print reading.

Even though it's so early in the book, it seems way too wordy! I keep saying, get on with it. I suppose this is the way it is through the whole book. I'm going to keep at it, one little piece at a time.

Erin wrote: "I'm a lot earlier in the process than you guys. I'm reading a paper copy and am a slow reader. From time to time I can listen to audiobooks, but this one seems to have to much going on for me to be..."

I think the kindness of the bishop is key to the book. Just the idea, the reality that one act of kindness and compassion can change a life-- and their life will change others'

I’m not very far in this book at all because I’ve had a ton of deadlines for school and I got sick over the weekend and I’m still recuperating from that. On a completely different note, my Spanish teacher started talking about Les Mis for our Motivational Mondays and I’m still not sure how a French novel with a title that translates to The Miserables qualifies as motivational for a Spanish class. But hey, we’ve been watching clips from the movie during class so that’s great!

I've been enjonying the book more than I thought I would. Even the dry bits are quick and it flows somewhat better than I expected - still, I got a little stuck in Waterloo for a bit. I'm in part 2, book 2 now, so 30% or so in. I find that the beginnings of each part, the first 2 or 3 books are slower and it takes me a while to get into the story, especially because it's the more descriptive part (Hugo often takes his sweet time disserting about the time period, historical references and overly-describing places and people). But once things start to pick up, I really fly through the story. This will be a long read, but, unlike War & Peace, it's been enjoyable.

Feb. 19 Personal Update:
***Spoilers***




I've concluded, the reason I've not made much progress is I don't like Marius. He's so stupid! Ug. Well, at least I've come to a place where Jean is back, and I like him. Hopefully things will pick up and I can make some progress.

How's everyone else doing?

July wrote: "**DRY BITS AREA**
Reply to this Post the chapters you find are dry and deviate from the story line.

Just put the Book its in, the chapter # and title (if you can, depending on the format you are ..."

Part 4; Book 1; Chapters I -V. Pretty much a dissertation on revolution and France, reasons behind them and politics. Skip to the last chapter where you'll meet characters from earlier in the book.

July wrote: "**DRY BITS AREA**
Reply to this Post the chapters you find are dry and deviate from the story line.

Just put the Book its in, the chapter # and title (if you can, depending on the format you are ..."

Unless you want to read about the Paris sewers, I'd recommend skipping Part 5; Book 2 "The Entrails of the Monster." Really, the whole thing. Hugo spends a lot of time talking about sewage and Paris...

Jessika wrote: "July wrote: "Hugo spends a lot of time talking about sewage and Paris... "


:'-D Oh dear...

I'm kinda stuck for the moment. Taking a break from Les Mis..."

I'm also stuck, but I'm gonna watch another episode of the BBC miniseries to get me excited again!

FINISHED IT!
As you get done post your thoughts about Les Mis in the replies to this thread.

And thank you all for joining me on this Buddy Read! Knowing I wasn't alone on this monster of a book made reading it a better experience.

Anyone want to take on Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy or The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas Pere this summer with me? Let me know and we can set start dates for either, or or both!

=) July

July wrote: "FINISHED IT!
As you get done post your thoughts about Les Mis in the replies to this thread.

And thank you all for joining me on this Buddy Read! Knowing I wasn't alone on this monster of a book m..."

I liked it-- the story of Jean Valjean is wonderful. Hugo has all these different stories and ties them together. What was hard is all the explanation Hugo does, over and over again on politics and socialism, and revolution... the monologues and whole chapters that have nothing to do with what is really a good story.

In writing there's a philosophy or formula when it comes to drafting what's been written: First draft MINUS 10% EQUALS Second Draft. I really wish Hugo had known about that.

Congrats, July! I’m taking it slow with this book. So, it will be awhile before I finish. It’s a pretty dense read. I’ve actually decided to take on lighter reads between sections of this book so I can have a bit of reprieve. I’ve read both of the books you’ve suggested and would definitely recommend The Three Musketeers over Anna Karenina.

Congrats July! I'm also taking it slow and I don't think I can handle another monstrosity after Le Mis, as much as I am enjoying it. I will definitely be sticking to lighter reads. And I'll stay away from Russian literature after War & Peace. which is being a slow, torturous read for me.

Thanks everyone, but you'll make it! Or tap out if it's just too much-- after all getting a tome like Les Mis off the stack is work enough!

I just watched the 2012 movie, it's like they took the really good story and cut all the other 700 pages from the book! Seriously, like two thirds gone and just the really good part left!

After Les Mis, I too need a break-- so if I set up a Buddy Read for The Three Musketeers it won't be until the summer-- June or July.
=)

Even though my reading of Les Miserables may take most of the year, I feel like joining on a second read. Sounds like Three Musketeers has more interest. I own a copy (since forever it seems).

As far as Anna Karenina, I read the book many years ago, but bought a new translation (when it came out) around 2001 that I have yet to read. One of these days! At least both books are shorter than this current read.

I’m still going really slowly because I have so much school work to do on top of reading it.

I'm still reading...very slowly as well, not quite 25% in yet. Reading with Serial reader and I'm up to date there. So far still good, more interesting than I expected.

Jessika wrote: "I finally finished! After almost 6 months, but I stuck with it. The ending was bittersweet, but definitely worth it."

Congrats Jessika!!!

I'm at around page 500 with nearly another 1,000 to go. Puts me about 34% done. Specifically I'm on Volume 2: Cosette, Book 6: Petite-Picpus- Chapter 1 (just starting). Overall the book is interesting, just lags in some parts, and of course so much detail! But i'm enjoying it overall.

Anyone else still reading the book? I think I'm the slowest, and last.

I'm still reading too, I've been really busy with school, and occasionally I've had to stop reading this to read something shorter and lighter. Which didn't help my progress on this book at all...but I graduate from high school on the 23rd, and I plan on finishing the book before going to college in the fall.

I am still lagging behind. I was hoping to have been around 50% by now, but I'm still 38-40%....finishing up Part II: Cossette. I'm really enjoying it, I like the characters, the social and historical aspect...even the dry bits, but sometimes it's too dense a read and I just want lighter, more engaging things, so this (as well as War & Peace, which I'm definitely DNFing as soon as I reach the end of part II) is just kind of being put aside a lot. I hope to make it by the end of the year, though!

Checking in on the progress with Les Miserables. I'm chugging along, slowly, but making progress, right now around 70% done, still much to go. I was hoping to finish in October, but I've been going slower than I expected, even with Serial Reader. I'm about a month behind.

Most of the book is interesting, just the dry areas do tend to make it go even slower. My main goal is to finish this year. I'm happy to be reading it! Planning on watching some of the movie versions once I'm done.