Directed by gavin taylor produced by cameron mackintosh written by alain bouilli herbert. French is approximately four times longer than the average harry potter book. Jan 14, 2018 as i mentioned last time, ive picked up a new translation of les miserables, the 20 donougher translation. The first american translation, published only months after the french edition of the novel was released.
It reads easily, sometimes racily, and hugos narrative power is never let down. I wish i had this translation the first time i read it. The first was by a contemporary and friend of hugo in 1862. When you read a book, especially a book like les miserables, which is. I researched translations and couldnt find one that stood out, so i figured id just try the. The sequel to les miserables by laura kalpakian, more a sequel to the musical than to hugos novel. Ive never read it and am contemplating picking up a paperback, but i cant decide which.
Les miserables study guide from litcharts the creators. It is a huge book that meanders along taking many long detours but eventually arriving at its destination. Miserables petits classiques larousse french edition. The kindle movie tiein edition of les miserables happens to match the version im reading. The first translation i read was norman dennys 1976. Victor hugos les miserables fantine book 2 part 3 the fall sub category 710 jean valjean is an exconvict who was imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread. Victor hugos original work includes several hundred of pages detailing things such as convent life, the history of the paris sewer system, and a lengthy account of the battle of waterloo, which took place before the main time frame of the.
The family and i just returned from les miserables. Les miserables penguin classics paperback april 29, 1982. Also, some thoughts on various translations of the book. A favorite of readers for nearly 150 years, and the basis for one of the most beloved stage musicals ever, this stirring tale of crime, punishment, justice, and. It is impossible to finish without your heart being tugged and moved. The best study guide to les miserables on the planet, from the creators of sparknotes. 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. Best english translations of victor hugos les miserables.
Jean valjean was convicted for stealing a loaf of bread. Wilbour created the first english translation of les miserables in 1863, just the following year after the original novel was first published. Boulatruelle thinks of the treasure and vows to find the man. I only know the musical, and when i was a child i read a comic book version of it. Best translations of les miserables by victor hugo, petersburg by andrei bely, and arthur rimbauds complete works. Most audio versions of les miserables use the classic 19th century translations the ones that have the advantage of being in the public domain. Chapter 1 some time after this, boulatruelle the convict from montfermeil who had attempted to follow valjean into the forest has taken up a job as a roadmender, largely abandoning his thefts. Jun 22, 2008 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. I know the various translations of les miserables were mentioned before on the thread about folios le of les mis, but the discussion focused more on whether an abridged translation was acceptable for an le. Les miserables is perhaps best known as a stage musical and a film from 2012. When you read a book, especially a book like les miserables, which is classed an as epic drama, you dont just want to know the story, you want to experience it. At digne, he is repeatedly refused shelter for the night. Jun 30, 2016 originalish book tag after it already began uploading, i discovered that its already a thing, but i did so much with my version of the tag that it may as well be an original. One morning hes on his way to work and catches sight of a familiarlooking man between the trees.
Gillenormand, by threatening to disinherit marius, has forced georges. Many translations are actually an abridged version of the full text, and we decided to follow. You want to understand each character, with all their different idiosyncrasies, and how they choose to express themselves is a big part of that. Les miserables is a wonderful book its a sacrilege to cut it down. You must be prepared for a long journey, dont be the child who continually asks are we there yet. We earnestly believe this to be the finest electronic edition of hugos masterpiece ever published at any price. Problem is, i cant find a free english translation for my kindle, and my french is nowhere near good enough to read it in the original french. Diane johnson a lively, dramatic, and wonderfully readable translation of one of the greatest 19thcentury novels. If you just want the novel without supplements, get the signet classic translation by lee fahnestock and norman macafee, which is a revision of the first translation of les mis by charles wilbour.
However, ive decided to make it my new years resolution that i was going to get it off amazon and read it. What is the best version of the book les miserables by vitor hugo to read. It is a powerful and sensitive narrative, soulshattering prose that will. Les miserables the queens theatre, london present until 26th february, 2011. The first new penguin classics translation in forty years of victor hugos masterpiece, the subject of the novel of the century by david bellospublished in a stunning deluxe edition. However, several alternatives have been used, including the miserables, the wretched, the miserable ones, the poor ones, the. Read the entire story in this complete and unabridged paperback edition. After repeated attempts to escape, he ends up spending twenty years. Im at the point where valjean is about to steal the silver spoilers. In the englishspeaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original french title. Jan 16, 20 les miserables has enjoyed tremendous popularity since it first hit the shelves in the 19th century. Its pretty easy to read as some of the longer tangents and entire sections are moved or deleted as t. The novel inevitably found a home in various media.
Also, many of the more poetic passages are preserved in the original french, sidebyside with an english translation. Vibrant and readable, idiomatic and well suited to a long narrative, julie roses new translation of les miserables is closer to the captivating tone hugo would have struck for his own contemporaries. Isabella florence hapgood translated les miserables in 1887, and. The first step to finding a copy of les miserables best suited for your needs is deciding whether you want an abridged translation or unabridged translation. As i stated in another thread, ive read 3 different translations of the. However, several alternatives have been used, including the miserables. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Three english translations of victor hugos les miserables offer slightly.
Hugo wrote several novels, but the only three that have continued to be much read today are les miserables. Christine donoughers translation reads very smoothly. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Victor hugo author, norman denny translator, introduction. Victor hugo 18021885, novelist, poet, playwright, and french national icon, is best known for two of todays most popular world classics. I researched translations and couldnt find one that stood out, so i figured id just try the old original standard translation from the 19th century, the wilbour translation. Wilbour created the first english translation of les miserables in 1863. Comparing three translations of les miserables gently hew stone. More on the movie when i have a moment to collect my thoughts, but my overall response. This book contains a unique translation by isabel hapgood. The work was a commercial success and has been a popular book ever since it was published. Each translation has its pros and cons but it mostly depends on what youre looking for. Les miserables 10th anniversiry concert full youtube.
First impressions of the donougher transalation reading les mis. Les miserables, novel by victor hugo, published in french in 1862. The passages i was most curious about are completely left out of this version. Les miserables study guide from litcharts the creators of.
Les miserables in english les miserables pronounced or. 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. In my opinion, if you want the fullest experience, the unabridged wilbour is the best. Although this isnt a book forum, i know that most of you have read the book and know what translations are good or not. Comparing three translations of les miserables gently. Ive read multiple translations as it is my favorite book, and by far the best in my opinion is translated by charles e. We promise you will see extraordinary quality and attention to detail on every page and enjoy these features. Jun 05, 2016 les miserables 10th anniversary concert i do not own this. Wilbour created the first english translation of les miserables in. I researched translations and couldn t find one that stood out, so i figured id just try the. Best translations of les miserables by victor hugo. 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. Grandson and grandfather in victor hugos les miserables.
Other translations are more readable to the average reader though, if that concerns you. Two times on amazon i found a denny translation, but when i clicked on the ebook or the kindle version, the link took me to a nondenny translation. Les miserables by victor hugo goodreads share book. Les miserables translations folio society devotees. Les miserables 1862 is a novel by french author victor hugo, and among the bestknown novels. It was an instant popular success and was quickly translated into several languages. Sep 26, 2012 as for the story itself, les miserables is simply one of the greatest stories ever told. However, knowledge of earlier french history is definitely helpful in understanding much of the plot.
Im up to part iii andno surpriseits amazing so far. Anyone have any suggestions on good translations, especially from among those available cheap on amazon. Wilbours translation, though a bit archaic in its language at times, stays fairly true to the original french version. Jean valjean, after spending nineteen years in jail and in the galleys for stealing a loaf of bread and for several attempts to escape, is finally released, but his past keeps haunting him. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Hugo now turns to another leading character, marius. It was even translated into various languages including greek, italian and portuguese. Les miserables hapgood translation illustrated unabridged carefully crafted classics book 2 ebook. So, there was a discussion that touched on les miserables and such, and i was inspired to read the dang thing. Nov 22, 2008 sometimes translators are challenged by those who have come before. Les miserables, the unabridged, is one of my favorite stories. May 04, 2017 i recently started reading les miserables.
Only the saintly bishop, monseigneur myriel, welcomes him. Les miserables original lobby cards x15 directed by robert hossein with lino ventura. Les miserables is perhaps best known as a stage musical and a film from 2012 starring hugh jackman, but the moving story was originally a novel written by. I would prefer a translation that is actually readable. Victor hugos original work includes several hundred of pages detailing things such as convent life, the history of the paris sewer system, and a lengthy account of the battle of waterloo, which took place before the main time. I was just trying to buy a digital copy of the denny translation.
Reading les miserables digitally and matching translations. 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. Apr 25, 2008 listen to les miserables audiobook by victor hugo. One day, an ex convict wanders into the bishops village and cant find any food or lodging because everyone turns him away. Best english translations of victor hugos les miserables owlcation. Having been made close to the time of the novels publication, they retain the more formal english style of the period, and they usually retain the euphemisms and bowdlerizations of the time as well. If you are going to spend time reading over pages of amazing story, this is the translation to read first.
I feel like ill get through it faster this time or would, if it. Victor hugos les miserables fantine book 2 part 3 the. Which is the best english translation of les miserables. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. First impressions of the donougher transalation reading. Les miserables translated kindle edition by victor hugo, isabel. The books opens by describing the life of a really upstanding dude named bishop myriel. When julie rose took on victor hugos les miserables, two previous english translations dominated bookstore shelves. Donoughers translation is a magnificent achievement. I am looking for the best translation of these three works. Buy les miserables classics by hugo, victor, denny, norman, denny, norman, denny, norman from amazons fiction books store. Its like a readers digest condensed version of the bible. The french title les miserables is translated into english as the.
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