If you can manage to learn french, i strongly recommend it in the original. However, one book thats intimidated me is victor hugos les miserables. Collecting les miserables by hugo, victor first edition. This version summarizes parts of the book where hugo gets a bit long. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. The protagonist, jean valjean, is sentenced to prison for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. How does les miserables the musical differ from the book. After repeated attempts to escape, he ends up spending twenty years. Before i dig into this classic work of literature, i asked a few friends what i should know before reading les miserables. A monumental classic dedicated to the oppressed, the underdog, the laborer, the rebel, the orphan, and the misunderstood, les miserables is a rich, emotional novel that captures nothing less than the entirety of life in nineteenthcentury france.
I did not need a 100 page essay on waterloo just to introduce a character in the last paragraph. The size of certain gashes was a serious danger, the suppuration of large wounds always being liable to reabsorption, and consequently to kill the. Download les miserables abridged or read online books in pdf, epub, tuebl, and mobi format. Les miserables, as a whole, is one the longest novels ever written with about 1,500 pages in unabridged english editions and 1,900 pages in french.
This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. The story is fantastic and, if you like the book, you should definitely see the musical. Abridged, with introduction and notes classic reprint french edition 9780266094357. Children need to read and understand the lessons it teaches at a young age, while they are still in their early, formative years and still forming their view of the world and of interpersonal relationships the world needs and our children need more love, sacrifice. Porter has published twelve books, including victor hugo 1999, and a hundred. So rich in drama that it has been adapted many times for stage a. Forgotten books uses stateoftheart technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy.
Why would anyone read an abridged version of any book. I normally would never read an abridged version, but now i dont know if i should take the book back sometime next week and try to find an unabridged version, or if i should just read the one i have now. Imprisoned in the bagne of toulon for 19 years for the original crime of. But i wouldnt say that abridged versions are for barely literate people.
Les miserables by victor hugo, norman denny waterstones. Gillenormand, by threatening to disinherit marius, has forced georges. In the englishspeaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original french title, which can be translated from the french as. Les miserables has taken me on an incredible journey over the past several months, involving the play, the music, the movie, and of course, the novel that inspired it. Hugo does an excellent job depicting the battle of waterloo and takes a whole chapter to do so. Abridged, with introduction and notes the notes are mainly explanatory of allusions contained in the text, or of events, or biographical. Victor hugo is a remarkable author easily compared to henrik sinkewitz in his writing style. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. I went to the store today and bought les miserables, only to find out once i got home that it is the abridged version. Les miserables is at once a thrilling narrative and a social document embracing a wider field than any other novel of its time. Les miserables, novel by victor hugo, published in french in 1862. The book is historically accurate which adds to the value of reading the book and following the storyline.
Ive read a couple of different abridged versions of les miserables by victor hugo and made it my goal to read the unabridged version a brief synopsis for those who might be unfamiliar with the story. Click download or read online button to get les miserables abridged book now. I am making those numbers upbut i have read les miserables. Victor hugo tells his classic story of redemption and struggle, now a major motion picture, of a tormenting police officer and a former convict.
Ive read a couple of different abridged versions of les miserables by victor hugo and made it my goal to read the unabridged version. Jean valjean was convicted for stealing a loaf of bread. Les mis daily telegraph 10th october 1985 by john barber sprawling for more than three hours over the vast barbican stage, the pop musical version of victor hugos 1862 novel les miserables makes an enthralling spectacle and is full of good tunes. Only time ive read a book and wish id gotten the abridged version was les miserables. The story of jean valjean, a poor french boy who is arrested at the age of 19 for stealing a loaf of bread for his family, and who is sentenced to the quarries for seven years.
As much a history or commentary as a work of fiction, les miserables is dominated by frances past. The book, first published in 1862, is set in 19th century. What is the best version of the book les miserables by vitor hugo. Victor hugos masterpiece of adventure, rebellion, and human redemption burst onto the french literary scene in 1862. The books opens by describing the life of a really upstanding dude named bishop myriel.
I purchased this kindle version in 20 but did not start reading it until january, 2019 and finished in october, 2019. Please note that, because victor hugos original masterpiece les miserables was published in 1862, it is no longer subject to and is now part of the public domain. In the englishspeaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original french title. Theyre probably supposed to be the meat of the story without the fluff.
It was an instant popular success and was quickly translated into several languages. Sep 23, 2008 first of all, if your copy is abridged, it should and would say that somewhere. My edition of les miserables was abridged by lawrence m. Les miserables illustrated by victor hugo nook book. See more ideas about les miserables, les miserables book and les miserables victor hugo. While the fictional aspects may seem to be an afterthought, hugos craft is. The author was on holiday and anxious to know how his new novel les miserables was selling. Ive listened to an abridged copy of this a few years ago, saw the play while in new york a few years ago and now ive listened to the full book.
This edition of les miserables looks and feels fabulous. Les miserables at its most basic is the story of jean valjean. I was delighted to discover, though, that the musical does go back to the original for many things, using. If you find the sixty five pages describing the sewers of paris that has no relation to the plot facinating in the abridged version, you can go read the eighty two pages dedicated to them in the nonabridged version. Les miserables abridged meet your next favorite book. Hugo now turns to another leading character, marius. He is seventyfive years old and lives only with a sister baptistine, ten years younger than he, and an old servant, madame magloire, the same age as his sister. Les miserables is a french historical novel by victor hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. A novel mass market paperback abridged, december 12, 1982. The binding is sewn to the spine ensuring the longevity of the book. Buy les miserables by victor hugo, norman denny from waterstones today. I can think of no other book that shows the whole range of mankind. Penguin classics recently released a new deluxe edition translated by christine donougher with a beautiful.
Mar 31, 2015 look at that gorgeous artwork by jillian tamaki. There are few more complete, or more vivid, pictures of france at the beginning of the nineteenth century. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. Les miserables by victor hugo, first edition abebooks. I normally would never read an abridged version, but now i dont know if i should take the book back sometime next week and try to find an unabridged version, or if i. Charles francoisbienvenu myriel has been bishop of digne for nine years. Les miserables by victor hugo is one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. Les miserables by victor hugo paste paste magazine. That book was full of digressions that were dozens of pages long and didnt add anything to the plot of an otherwise great story. He lived with his sister and her family in extreme poverty in france after the. Marius is a seventeenyearold who lives with his grandfather, m. A brief outline of the political changes during the period covered by the novel, 1815 to 1832, will, it is hoped, prove useful. Les miserables abridged vs unabridged showing 150 of 84. Les miserables abridged download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi.
Les miserables abridged and a great selection of related books. In a nearby town, georges pontmercy, marius father, a hero of the napoleonic wars, lives in retirement. Les miserables is a truly emotional book that inspires you to look within yourself. Victor hugo 18021885 was a poet, novelist, dramatist, and leader of the romantic movement in france. The binding is done using a leather like material which is feels very good in the hand. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. In 1822 he brought out his first book of verse, odes et poesies diverses, and four months later, october 12, was married to adele foucher. Set in the parisian underworld and plotted like a detective story, the work follows the fortunes of the convict jean valjean, a victim of society who has been imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. A brief synopsis for those who might be unfamiliar with the story. We might change my original phrase to to many books, art, music, movies, and. I know the unabridged version of the book starts out very slow, but i heard. I believe it is one of the most powerful and meaningful books ever written.
I have mentioned here before that i had read a couple of different abridged versions and had wanted to read this unbridged version for a long time. The length may be a put off to some, but anyone who perseveres will be well rewarded and emerge better for having read this. Les miserables abridged and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. There are no issues with using victor hugos words in my childrens edition of the book or with using the phrase les miserables in the books title. Les miserables, victor hugo les miserables is a french historical novel by victor hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. You can also read the full text online using our ereader. In the english speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original. One day, an ex convict wanders into the bishops village and cant find any food or lodging because everyone turns him away. New introductions commissioned from todays top writers and scholars. I did not need a 100 page essay on waterloo just to introduce a. He repeated the name of cosette during entire nights in the dismal loquacity of fever and with the gloomy obstinacy of agony. What to know before reading les miserables by victor hugo. Les miserables is known to many through its numerous stage and screen adaptations, such as the stage musical of the same name, sometimes abbreviated les mis.
Les mis rables is a french historical novel by victor hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. This edition is an abridgment of norman dennys translation. However, several alternatives have been used, including the miserables. The guinness book of world records 1981 claims that the shortest literary correspondence on record was that between victor marie hugo 180285 and his publisher, hurst and blackett, in 1862. What an absolutely great story of lives lived during epoch changing events in history. Marius fulfills her request and goes into a tavern to read the letter. For instance, it would probably be on the title page and most likely on the cover. Amazon has a paperback that specifically says unabridged which is 1488 pages. First of all, if your copy is abridged, it should and would say that somewhere. After his release, valjean plans to rob monseigneur myriel, a saintlike bishop, but cancels his plan. Further editions concerning les miserables will be published soon. Les miserables abridged download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl. Trying to find an unabridged edition or les miserables.
If you find the sixty five pages describing the sewers of paris that has no relation to the plot facinating in the abridged version, you can go read the eighty two pages dedicated to them in the non abridged version. His literary works best known in english include les miserables, the hunchback of notre dame, and ninetythree. I dont now what the point is, but i was so disappointed recently when i found out we read the abridged version of les miserables in high school. He becomes a factory owner, then a mayor, even taking upon himself a small child, cosette, who was the daughter of one of his employees. Les miserables has taken me on an incredible journey over the past several months, involving the play, the music, the movie, and of course, the novel. Abridged, with introduction and notes mire and was republished later, in 1826, in book form. It is read by christopher cazenove and it is part of the classics read by celebrities audiobook series. This abridged version is like a bad comic book compared to the original. Les miserables at its most basic is the story of jean.