Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

This discussion post will be about the beginning of the book, including the Preface through the fourth book of the first volume.

Links go to Project Gutenberg

Volume 1 - Fantine

Book First - A Just Man
Book Second - The Fall
Book Third - In the year 1817
Book Fourth - To Confide is Something to Deliver into a Person's Power

Interestingly, my translation (the Everyman's Edition translated by Charles Wilbour) entitles the first book as "An Upright Man." I don't know which is more technically correct as a direct translation of the French but I do think "upright" is a better word for the bishop. He is not about simple justice but rather unlike many we will meet, is about doing the best he can for others.

James wrote: "Interestingly, my translation (the Everyman's Edition translated by Charles Wilbour) entitles the first book as "An Upright Man." I don't know which is more technically correct as a direct translat..."

I just checked the French version on Project Gutenberg, and the first book is called "Un juste". I'm far from fluent, but from what I know, "juste" translates pretty directly to just (right, justified, fair, etc.).

I’m finding it helpful to look up definitions on words that I thought I knew and then finding out I was a little off. For example the French definition for cure (priest). I assumed it meant doctor.

Linda wrote: "I’m finding it helpful to look up definitions on words that I thought I knew and then finding out I was a little off. For example the French definition for cure (priest). I assumed it meant doctor."

It is analogous to the English curate, though unlike in English, the curé is the chief priest in a parish, who would be assisted by a vicaire

From Book 1, M. Myriel had to undergo the fate of every newcomer in a little town, where there are many mouths which talk, and very few heads which think.

How true is that? And I see it in one way or another in a lot of LIST books. Human nature I suppose.

Probably very true particularly at the time. People (who could not do so much traveling, working very close to home, and without entertainment based on sitting in your home away from your neighbors) would have paid much more notice of new residents.

David wrote: "Linda wrote: "I’m finding it helpful to look up definitions on words that I thought I knew and then finding out I was a little off. For example the French definition for cure (priest). I assumed it..."

Thanks!

Sean wrote: "From Book 1, M. Myriel had to undergo the fate of every newcomer in a little town, where there are many mouths which talk, and very few heads which think.

How true is that? And I see it in one way..."

Having grown up in a small midwestern town, I'd say it still happens a little: gossipy and suspicious of new people. There is a country tendency to try to find a person you both know. It establishes something...

Sean wrote: "From Book 1, M. Myriel had to undergo the fate of every newcomer in a little town, where there are many mouths which talk, and very few heads which think.

How true is that? And I see it in one way..."

Yeah, but in bigger cities this is almost unheard of. I live in a fairly large city myself- biggest in the country, at any rate; roughly one million people if you include the wider urban area- and I do not even know the name of the neighbors on the same floor as mine, let alone anyone else's. New people move in and I don't even notice if not for the noise cause by the actual moving. And even then...

And across from my building is a hotel so I new temporary neighbors every couple of days, have no idea who they are, obviously.

I’m beginning to see why this book is a favorite for a lot of people. I cannot think of a more humble living or philosophy than that of M. Bienvenue. If only more people were as understanding and universally accepting of all persons as him, no matter their background or circumstances the world wouldn’t be as poopy as it is today. Especially in the US. In my humble opinion.

I am so thankful that I am reading this book with you guys this year. I attempted to read it last year but gave up after two chapters. so grateful that I have it a second chance. I was so caught up in the story that I made it to chapter 8.

You've got to feel bad for Jean Valjean. he's had such a difficult life and then after all he has been thru... becoming basically a leper...now that's tragic. I'm ready to read more

I actually wanted to read this book slowly, 2 or 3 chapters a day. But I like it so much that I already completed our February part.
I had been told that the descriptions are overly long but I didn't have that feeling. On the contrary, the many details made it much easier to picture the different characters and also to keep track of them.

I started last night--I plan on reading very slowly. Just through chapter 1 so far.

The quote Sean mentioned was highlighted even in the French kindle version--seems to be a sentiment that crosses over language barriers.

Ellinor wrote: "But I like it so much that I already completed our February part."

Jasmine wrote: "I was so caught up in the story that I made it to chapter 8."

Haha. Well, now you can go back and read those parts again in March. That'll slow you down. :P

Great beginning for one of the most influencing operas of the literature! I liked so much the way that Hugo described the characters, from the holiness of M. Bienvenu, passing through the internal moral battle of Jean Valjean, and arriving to the small cute and precious Cosette.

To tell you the truth, I don't feel so much close to Jean Valjean at the moment. His actions are despicable, even if we take under consideration his troubled past. He's been brutalized by the society, I know, but after the forgiveness from M. Bienvenu, what was the reason for stealing and frightening that poor boy? I will expect next steps in his character to see if there is any sign of redemption!

Last but not least, I felt so shy for Cosette. And I'm looking forward to read what the future has in program for her.

Ellinor wrote: "I actually wanted to read this book slowly, 2 or 3 chapters a day. But I like it so much that I already completed our February part.
I had been told that the descriptions are overly long but I did..."

Same here!! I just kept going. Spoiler alert. Except for the whole Bonapart chapters. I fell asleep 😳

Valentina wrote: "Great beginning for one of the most influencing operas of the literature! I liked so much the way that Hugo described the characters, from the holiness of M. Bienvenu, passing through the internal ..."

Jean Valjean does not start out his life as a wicked or bitter man; rather, his experiences in prison turn him into the wicked and bitter man who first enters the town of Digne. Even after the Bishop gives him hospitality and shelter, Jean Valjean steals his silver. It's heartbreaking.

I finally finished this section--not too far behind schedule, considering how badly my reading plans have gone this year. It's a testament to just how bad when I say that being a month off schedule isn't too bad.

Anyway--I'm enjoying this more than I thought I would. I'm pretty sure I've seen some of the movie adaptations--wasn't there one with Liam Neeson as Jean Valjean? I'm surprised at the level of detail Hugo goes into. The whole section with the four couples seemed rather drawn out to me, but it does give one a sense of France of the period. Same with the extraordinary length of the first section, about M. Bienvenu. I liked it, and it did give one the sense of how only someone like that could have affected Valjean's transformation.

The upbringing of Cosette reminds me of Cinderella, which it was probably supposed to do. I finally know now who it is that is represented by the illustration you see on many copies of the book--Cosette, in her rags, sweeping the courtyard at dawn.

Bryan--Pumpkin Connoisseur wrote: "I finally finished this section--not too far behind schedule, considering how badly my reading plans have gone this year. It's a testament to just how bad when I say that being a month off schedule..."

I really liked the detail as well. Sometimes its hard to get through. But that's why I like this long time-frame for reading the book. I can really take my time with it. Like you said, all this detail really gives you a picture on how important M. Bienvenu was to the transformation of Valjean. And the other details are just as important for other reasons. Talk about deep deep characterizations right?

I am way behind all of you… I joined the group after you started and I decided to read this and then stopped and started again.

I had to read the notes in the back of my book as well as watch a YouTube video on France’s history to get into this story… but I’m hooked now and a lot more things make sense to me now. 1793 means a bit more to me now… I’ll admit I may have learned that in school a while ago, but the math and science are what I remember…

So far I am hooked on the story because it made me get invested… but it’s slightly deceiving to start with such a positive, uplifting story in book one to then give me book two, three, and four… ouch!