Jack’s Reviews > Les Misérables > Status Update
Jack
is on page 185 of 1416
Hard to believe I first read this knowing so little about French history that I didn't know they had a Louis XVIII or more than one Napoleon. Loved the story despite being completely clueless about the politics, which is...a lot of the book. Going in this time more determined to seek secondary sources as I go. Such good storytelling.
— Jan 02, 2026 09:59PM
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Jack’s Previous Updates
Jack
is on page 900 of 1416
I recall the Denny translation moved the Slang section to the back of the book as a footnote, presumably because he felt he couldn't do a good job translating it - Donougher's translation may be littered with footnotes, but the section in its rightful place makes sense - Hugo never goes on a tangent for no reason, and maybe on my 3rd reading of the book I'll take all of the "essay sections" and read them separately.
— Mar 07, 2026 06:50PM
Jack
is on page 650 of 1416
Not entirely sure if Marius is the model of a dedicated and honourable young man or if Hugo is suggesting wasting yourself on abstraction and wilfully living in poverty will give you an unhealthy interest in 15 year old girls. Perhaps both things are true?
— Feb 28, 2026 11:14PM
Jack
is on page 450 of 1416
Trying to get through 50 pages a day so I can finish mid-March. Nobody does it like Hugo!
— Feb 25, 2026 03:50AM
