June 11, 2009 9:32 AM
Les Miserables - where are you now?
I'd love to hear from some of you. Where are you in your reading? Are you having any difficulties? Is there some way I can help facilitate your journey through Les Miserables?
Please note that I've added the Les Miz Notes link in the upper left corner of MommyLife, so you can easily access what we've written so far. Please add whatever you like - whenever you like, as we may be going at different paces - to the appropriate Chapter/Books.
So far in Book One Hugo has introduced M. Myriel - Monseigneur Bienvenu, and in Book Two Jean Valjean.
In Book Three, we will meet Fantine, for whom this section of the book is named (note that LM is divided into five parts, and the book numbering begins again when we start the 2nd part Cosette)
Next Monday, I will be covering Books Three through Six (up to page 212 in the Signet Classic edition). Book Three begins with some political/historical context (pages 114-119) which will certainly not be meaningful to most of us. Feel free when you come to sections like this to skim or skip forward to the story line. It will make for a less frustrating reading experience.
Remember as reader, you are in control. You can get bored and stop reading any time. (As a writer, I was reminded of that by my teachers all the time!) Many of you said that you had tried Les Miserables before and given up. This time, I don't want you to give up but to find a way to read the book that works for you.
Because this is a story too rich to miss. And it's never too late to join us!
Posted in Les Miserables Book Study | Permalink
Comments
Currently I'm in the section where Victor Hugo catches back up with Jean. I found the previous section dealing with Cosette a very interesting commentary on how the classes can rise or fall and the way that vices can be enforced or introduced into the lower working classes. It breaks my heart when Fantine leaves her daughter behind to the miserly inn-keepers without much research or reflection! Everything looks fine on the surface, and then the one comment from the inn-keeper's husband, "What a fine mouse-trap you've built with those two children of yours" just gave me a sickening feeling in the gut.
Funny how someone can be writing about human nature almost 200 years ago and it still rings true today! How many of us read/ used to read crummy novels and let them influence our thinking. His crummy novels remind me of our television programs today.
Thanks for suggesting this book to read- it's been a while since I've challenged myself to some non-religious, classic literature!
Posted by: Sarah | June 11, 2009 11:40 AM
I'm in the section of the book titled "Javert". Funny... I thought I would have a hard time keeping up, but I can't seem to put the book down. After the kids (3 and 8 months) go to bed I hurry to get a little laundry or cleaning done and then head straight for my big overstuffed chair to sit down and read. Last night I was so wired after reading I had a hard time going to sleep. Thanks so much, Barbara, for suggesting this book. Otherwise, I might not have picked it up on my own.
Posted by: Joani | June 11, 2009 1:19 PM
Yikes, I'm just a few pages in on book 2! I'm going to take the advice of Joani and head to my living room chair to read at night. I get the elbow to turn out the light in bed ;)
Anyway, yes, I could hardly put the book down last night, as the ladies at the Bishop's house were about to hear a knock at the door...
Posted by: kelly | June 11, 2009 2:15 PM
I wasn't able to start reading until this past Monday, and I'm already to pg. 236. Clearly, I can't put it down! I appreciate all the support suggestions, timelines, and maps, so keep them coming when applicable.
I have lots of thoughts swirling around in my head, but I don't want to post any spoilers for anyone. I plan to pause and let some ideas settle so I can share concisely when you post on this next section next week.
Posted by: Crystal | June 11, 2009 4:46 PM
Thank you Barbara! you think of the most considerate, helpful things! the link above will help me a lot as I seem to catch reading spells in snippets every few days. (I think I am on page 59 right now. but I am determined to get through it no matter how slow!)
It is also helping me SO MUCH, since this is my first time reading it, for you to write exact page numbers of "bunny trails" or "political" things so I know what is okay to skip over. I am so afraid I am going to miss something pivotal to the story later on that I am afraid to skip past anything, except what I know you have said is okay.
Despite "trailing" behind, I am truly enjoying the book! I used to be an avid reader prior to the children coming, and now it seems most of my little time is consumed by wife/parenting/disciplining/homeschooling books lol. It feels *so good* to be reading one that is really, intellectually stimulating to me.
Kristy in Germany
Posted by: Kristy in Germany | June 12, 2009 4:16 AM
Yikes! I am only just starting book 3. I am up to page 124. I think I can catch up by Monday. I am thoroughly enjoying the book but got sidetracked by an awful cold. (I knew I was in trouble when my daughter sneezed DIRECTLY INTO MY OPEN MOUTH the other day :) ) Thanks again for coming up with this reading assignment.
Posted by: Laura Suer | June 14, 2009 7:39 PM
I am kind of crawling along behind you all. I keep getting distracted by things in the book that lead me to other books, and so on and so on. This journey is a meandering one but I am learning a lot more about the history of the times and the reasons for some of the Church History of the times.
I spent one evening a while back looking up the different clerical definitions!
A while later, I was curious about the situation for women in other countries in Europe at the time. I found some interesting articles online.
Anyway, I am really enjoying the story. It is really like a series of stories.
I am also enjoying the commentary.
Thanks to you all!
Posted by: jennifer | June 18, 2009 8:17 AM
I finally finished "Les Miserables". Thank you for inspiring me to read this awesome novel!
Posted by: Patty | November 5, 2009 11:50 AM
Found you by an accident. An answer to my prayers. I've being trying to make my 12 year old daughter to read LM. Too much resistance from everywhere & everyone. But I was so horrified by the choice of books coming from the school library, that I did it anyway, so she went through 2 books already. I absolutely love your commentaries, very helpful. I never thought of comparing Fr. revolution with Am. one. Thank you! And I let her skim through the first chapter in the 3d book with cultural overview of the year Fauntin lost her innocence. It shows that Paris was secular meaning "no strong moral values". It is amazing how much resemblance we can find with our time.
I am thinking about homeschooling...
Posted by: Tatiana Ivaschenko | March 3, 2012 9:02 PM
