Questions about Les Miserables (NOT Homework)?

Question

I'm considering read Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, but I have a few questions. I'm 16, and I have read a few of the 'classics', though not that many. Les Miserables seems interesting.

1. Is it good? I don't want to read 1000+ pages of a boring book.

2. Is it hard to read? I've always read at a high reading level, and I'm sure I could manage it. But, I've heard from some people that it's difficult.

3. Which version is the best? I know that it was translated from French, so most copies are different. Abridged or unabridged? I prefer to read unabridged books, so which unabridged version is best in your opinion?

4. How hard is the French book? I'm considering reading it in the original French, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I speak good French, and I can read and understand it well. I'm not 100% fluent, though, and I'm worried that the unabridged French might be too much for me.

Thank you for any answers?

BQ: Is The Picture of Dorian Gray any good? It seems like a really cool book.

Answer 1

1. Yes, it's good. It is tragic, though, like a lot of classics. This book is the ultimate story of altruism. The altruistic describes the protagonist in this book very well.



2. No, it's not hard to read.



3. I read the abridged English version. Since I didn't read the unabridged, or any other English translation, I can't say more.



4. I haven't read a French version.

Answer 2

1. YES A VERY GOOD BOOK! worth the 1463 pages (as my book says)

2. the first 100 pages are pretty hard because of all the scattered French words around.

3. Mine is the Signet Classics,Lee Fahnstock and Norman MacAfee, based on Wilbour's translation

3. idk about the french book but the french book is longer than most. about 1800+



:D

Answer 3

He was released only on parole - on condition that he reported to police stations wherever he went and always produced his yellow ticket of leave to employers. People like him were never totally 'free' - it was like getting a 'life sentence' and although he was allowed to leave jail after so many years, the slightest misdemeanour would have sent him straight back to jail. When Valjean failed to report, and stopped declaring that he was a convicted criminal, he became liable to be sent back to jail indefinitely.

Answer 4

I can't answer all your questions but I do want to recommend Les Miserables. I know a lot of people that found it boring but I think it is a beautiful story. I absolutely love Jean Valjean.