August 20, 2009 8:24 AM
Les Miz readers - please check in
Doing this Les Miz study is a labor of love. Last night's entry took me four hours, which may be why I was putting it off for so long :). I will try to do better this week.
Don't get me wrong. If there is only one person out there reading it, than my time is well spent. Also, like all labors of love, it is also of great benefit to me.
I am hoping my commentaries are more helpful than pedantic. I am having fun bringing in other resources and hope they are making the story come alive,
From the number of you who bought books - around 30 - and the few comments, I am wondering if some people had difficulty getting into the book. If so, please do give it a try some time in the future, keeping in mind that as a reader you are free to skim and skip over Hugo's tangential remarks on French history, the church and philosophy. The story is so rich and full of meaning, I just want to help as many readers as possible extract it. You can read a summary of each chapter at SparkNotes. And please remember when you get around to reading it, the commentary will still be here, though I may move the button now in my top left sidebar down to the bottom.
Do I sound like I need affirmation? Maybe a little :) Anyway, if you are reading Les Miz, even if you aren't commenting, please just drop a comment here to let me know how it's going, if you are enjoying it and how I can help make it a better experience.
Also, is anyone interested in doing another book after this?
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Remember: complete notes, resources, maps,. music available by clicking on Les Miz icon and scrolling to the bottom to read forward.
Posted in Les Miserables Book Study | Permalink
Comments
I started reading with you, and then my planned busy summer got even busier (I added "doing it all while in my first trimester with #4," among other spontaneous additions), and so I've fallen by the wayside, caught up in too much life to read. But your commentaries are keeping me interested in getting back to it, and it looks like life should calm down a bit soon, so hopefully I'll be able to.
Posted by: Newt Sherwin | August 20, 2009 9:29 AM
I finished the book last week and can't wait to read the commentaries of others! I am definitely interested in doing another book!
Thanks again Barbara for inspiring me to read this wonderful adventure!
Posted by: Joani | August 20, 2009 9:38 AM
I am reading it, although I'm way behind. I very much enjoyed the first part about the bishop, but I've had a hard time getting into the next part. Where I'm at, Cosette's mother has just died. See? I'm really behind! But I'm still plugging away and I enjoy reading your commentaries very much! They help me be more excited about getting to that part. I have read Les Mis before, but it was many, many years ago. I am enjoying reading real literature and I never would have picked it up again if you hadn't started it! Thank you!
Posted by: lucy | August 20, 2009 9:41 AM
I'm behind your commentary, but I really appreciate it! Your insights have been great. I'm going to start commenting once I get a little deeper in the book. Thanks so much for doing this!
Posted by: Lauren | August 20, 2009 9:44 AM
It's next on my to-read list, and I'm certainly bookmarking this commentary for when I do start it!
Posted by: Harmony | August 20, 2009 9:49 AM
I bought the book but real life got in the way for now. I thought I would have more time in the summer to read. LOL!! Life has been even busier. And the book is daunting. I need to have some quiet time to read it when I won't fall asleep from sheer exhaustion. I have every intent of still reading it and I'm glad that you're going to have the comments still available to read.
Yes, by all means, continue the book club. I read Animal Farm when you started that. I would never have read it otherwise. I'm glad I did. It gives me another perspective on what's going on in the world.
Thanks, Barbara. We really do appreciate all that you do.
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | August 20, 2009 9:53 AM
Inspired by you, I got Les Miz at the library early in the summer and read most of the unabridged version (skipping the political stuff). I would never have attempted this book without your encouragement! I LOVED it and have faithfully read your commentary. AS Joani said, it was a wonderful adventure! I'm open to another book study, too!
Posted by: Betty | August 20, 2009 9:53 AM
Still reading and loving it! I'm at the barricades right now with the last push of the battle looming. I won't say any more so as not to spoil it for the other readers. This book has a way of catching you up and flinging you along with it.
I did skip a few sections on some history of various uprisings and Hugo's commentaries on them. He seems quite obsessed by social progress and is probably a bit of a product of his time. The 1800's saw a lot of scientific innovation and discoveries which laid the ground work for the technological explosions seen in the 1900's. That coupled with the diminishing monarchies in Europe and democratic America growing up (and experiencing its own growing pains) probably swept Hugo away with it. The political and scientific changes going on led to the expansion of human understanding about the world and how it should work in that time. It is quite some heady stuff. It must have seemed a Brave New World to Hugo and colored his views of the rioting and revolutionary convulsions taking place in Paris. Not to mention spurred him on to write 100pgs about that too...
Posted by: Sarah | August 20, 2009 10:17 AM
It was halfway through our summer stay at the cottage that we learned my husband was being offered a job back east. I have spent my valuable reading time house hunting, and returning back to Denver to pack up and list this house. Les Miserables is sitting, abandoned on my dresser back in Ontario. I am still commited to reading it though...when life finally gets settled again. Thank you Barbara for the link in your sidebar to all the discussion. I'll be able to still go through your wonderful and educational posts and read other's comments when I continue.
Posted by: kelly | August 20, 2009 1:37 PM
I'm in with yall, too! I absolutely LOVE this book! I've read the abridged multiple times, but you motivated me to finally read the real-deal :) I am WAY behind but LOVING it!
I have been staying up with your commentary even though I'm behind on the reading, since I am very familiar with the story line. Besides, it keeps me moving through the thicker parts. I go back and read your commentaries as I catch up to those sections. I also enjoy reading the comments from other people.
Thanks, Barbara, for leading this. I have and still am enjoying it immensely! I plan to stick with it until I finish - which, given my life with 2 babies and the time-sensitive Ferber and Dobson (guesses what our house is like lol?) ... it may take a while. But please know that not only am I loving reading Les Mis, I am also really appreciating your resources and insight!
God Bless!
Posted by: Kate | August 20, 2009 3:07 PM
I am behind in my reading, but really love the book! I never would have chosen to read it myself, but thanks to you, I am enjoying this classic. I read your blog every day. Thanks for all of your inspiration! God bless you and your beautiful family.
Posted by: Patty | August 20, 2009 3:10 PM
I have read it before and it took me a couple of years to get through it. I love the book, but don't have time right now to reread it and enjoy it, however, I LOVE reading your comments and watching the links to the musical (which I have never had the privilege of seeing) with my two small boys. In fact we checked out Singing in the Rain because of watching your clips (I had never seen that particular musical) and we LOVED it and have it on our perm. collection wish list. Thank you for resourcing and imparting wisdom from your life experience. I really appreciate you and what you do!
Posted by: beccy | August 20, 2009 4:23 PM
I finished it in 3 weeks at the beginning of the summer. I tried to slow down and wait for your comments, but I got into it and couldn't stop. I am enjoying reading your comments.
Posted by: Susan | August 20, 2009 5:59 PM
I'm glad you took the little break as it helped me to get almost caught up. I'll try to post my comment on the last section before this morning's soon.
I am really enjoying the book, although as others have said, I would never have started it or at times continued it, were it not for the encouragement of your blog. Like another reader commented, I have struggled every time Hugo switches from one storyline to the next. I also have felt a bit bogged down in some of the more historical or philosophical sections which I just don't have the desire to fully delve into at this stage of life with littles. However, you have encouraged me that it's okay to skim over some of the more difficult sections. That has really helped me to focus on the storyline and enjoy the whole of the book.
Your and other reader's comments have helped me to see things that I hadn't noticed in quite the same light before. I remember in high school reading classics and understanding them so much better and enjoying them so much more because of the teacher's and fellow student's inputs. I feel the same here. Thank you for doing this and please keep it up!
Also I am really enjoying the videos you insert from the musical. I've already told my husband that when I finish this, tickets to see it in person would be a real treat!
I am not sure I will be up for reading another long classic right away, but I would love to do another book discussion like this at some point. As I said, it has been so helpful to me. I am curious as to what book you might choose next.
Thank you again for all your work on this. I am certainly enjoying it.
Posted by: Karen | August 20, 2009 8:49 PM
I'm glad you took the little break as it helped me to get almost caught up. I'll try to post my comment on the last section before this morning's soon.
I am really enjoying the book, although as others have said, I would never have started it or at times continued it, were it not for the encouragement of your blog. Like another reader commented, I have struggled every time Hugo switches from one storyline to the next. I also have felt a bit bogged down in some of the more historical or philosophical sections which I just don't have the desire to fully delve into at this stage of life with littles. However, you have encouraged me that it's okay to skim over some of the more difficult sections. That has really helped me to focus on the storyline and enjoy the whole of the book.
Your and other reader's comments have helped me to see things that I hadn't noticed in quite the same light before. I remember in high school reading classics and understanding them so much better and enjoying them so much more because of the teacher's and fellow student's inputs. I feel the same here. Thank you for doing this and please keep it up!
Also I am really enjoying the videos you insert from the musical. I've already told my husband that when I finish this, tickets to see it in person would be a real treat!
I am not sure I will be up for reading another long classic right away, but I would love to do another book discussion like this at some point. As I said, it has been so helpful to me. I am curious as to what book you might choose next.
Thank you again for all your work on this. I am certainly enjoying it.
Posted by: Karen | August 20, 2009 9:02 PM
I've read the book before and have not had time to read it right now. However, I have loved your notes and insights. I didn't realize how much I missed when I read it. Thank you for taking the time to write up your notes. They have given me so much insight and they give me something to think about through the day.
Posted by: Paula | August 21, 2009 12:01 AM
I am reading the book but haven't commented yet. I am at the halfway point- unfortunately I started the abridged version at the beginning of the summer but was encouraged by your blog to go back and read the unabridged version. It is a wonderful story and reminds me how much I used to love reading literature back in high school/college. I don't do as much reading of fiction these days (except maybe Jane Austen when I need a lift!) I've been reading parenting books and books to learn more about Down syndrome since my son was born in Dec 2007. Your comments are very helpful and I really enjoy reading your blog. You are an inspiration- thank you for sharing your life, political knowledge, Down syndrome knowledge, book commentaries and writing knowledge with us.
Thank you Barbara!
P.S. I would be interested in doing another book after this.
Posted by: Kathy | August 21, 2009 1:09 AM
I started with you, but have gotten behind . . . thanks for the encouragement, I wont quit! I just love all the extra info you give, it helps give the book context for me, thank you! I appreciate your posts/commentaries. Blessings!
Posted by: Trish from San Diego | August 21, 2009 2:23 AM
I'm not following the actual reading of the book, but I read it in the past and I look forward to your insights.
I plan to read it again and I will remember to check back and read your commentaries.
Job well done!!!
Posted by: LadyLovas | August 21, 2009 9:12 AM
I am only halfway through the book but I am still persevering and loving it. Thenk you for all your commentaries. They really add to my reading.
Posted by: melissa | August 21, 2009 4:43 PM
I just found your book study and am so excited. i started reading Les Mis this spring for my book group at my suggestion and I ran out of gas at the end of book II. Finding your summaries has encouraged me to move on.
Posted by: Samurai Mom | August 23, 2009 9:37 PM
