In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original French title. Les Misrables by Victor Hugo - Free Ebook. Captures the poetic, thoughtful nature of Hugos writing without feeling hard work to read. Thnardier regrets that he did not bring his gun and turns back toward home. That saidand remembering that choosing a translation is to a certain extent a matter of personal tastehere is a list of major translations of Les Misrables, with some of the reasons why I would recommend first Donoughers, then either Roses or Fahnestock and MacAfees, then Dennys, and, finally, Wilboursbut only for people who like to read nineteenth-century American style: Christine Donougher, translator. A practical note: Editions fall out of print, but you can often find a used copy online through sites such as these: Bookfinder / Biblio / AbeBooks / Alibris. Down with the pope! Thnardier enlists the aid of the Patron-Minette, a well-known and feared gang of murderers and robbers. The following day, the students revolt and erect barricades in the narrow streets of Paris. However, a man covers the muzzle of the soldier's gun with his hand. As they rush to Valjean's house, Marius tells Cosette that Valjean saved his life at the barricade. After seeing them, Valjean promises them he will return with rent money for them. I like the "jarring modernism" of Rose's translation. At night, Valjean runs off with Myriel's silverware. Donougher still felt true to the original while also keeping the text accessible. [30] A massive advertising campaign[31] preceded the release of the first two volumes of Les Misrables in Brussels on 30 or 31 March and in Paris on 3 April 1862. I read Charles E. Wilbour's translation but I am not an expert at that aspect of the book. The story begins in 1815 in Digne, as the peasant Jean Valjean, just released from 19 years' imprisonment in the Bagne of Toulonfive for stealing bread for his starving sister and her family and fourteen more for numerous escape attemptsis turned away by innkeepers because his yellow passport marks him as a former convict. Fantine must draw on her own resources to care for her and Tholomys' daughter, Cosette. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Les. . Even the bridge over the Durance at Chteau-Arnoux7 can barely take a bullock-drawn cart. I'm guessing that Penguin realized it was a mistake, and that the unfamiliar anglicized title hurt sales. Which translation of Les Miserables? Few families had known the Myriel family before the Revolution.Monsieur Myriel had to endure the fate of every newcomer in a small town, where there are always plenty of mouths blathering and not many brains working. Helpful. When Gavroche goes outside the barricade to collect more ammunition from the dead National Guardsmen, he is shot dead. Charles Myriel, married or no, had, they said, set tongues wagging. edited 6y. Among other powerful persons, he called on Cardinal Fesch,7 Napolons uncle, to petition him on his parishioners behalf. The collapse of the old society in France, the fall of his own family, the tragic scenes of 93,3 which were, perhaps, even more frightening for migrs4 watching them from afar with the magnifying power of dreaddid these things cause notions of renunciation and solitude to germinate in his mind? At last!The same night, the bishop wrote a note, which he handed to his sister. les. No one would have dared bring it up, no one would have dared remember what it was.Monsieur Myriel arrived in Digne accompanied by an old spinster, Mademoiselle Baptistine, who was his sister and ten years his junior.They had only one servant, a woman the same age as Mademoiselle Baptistine, called Madame Magloire. The cover looks exactly like this but it has "Complete and unabridged" printed on the cover as well.. Les Misrables has been popularized through numerous adaptations for film, television and the stage, including a musical. Vidocq became the head of an undercover police unit and later founded France's first private detective agency. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Thnardier and Patron-Minette try to escape, only to be stopped by Javert. Bluebottle: Do you and your children just want an easily accessible translation, or do you want something that does its best to faithfully preserve nuance. It avoids the jarring modernism of Rose's translation and, as far as I can tell, remains true to the original. If youd like more opinions, Goodreads readers have shared thoughts about their favorite translations. The very day he moved into the hospital, Monsieur Myriel decided once and for all to put this sum to use as follows. Monsieur le comte, things will only come good when the emperor has delivered us from these pious swine. Social problems go beyond frontiers. Yes there are English translations of Les Miserables. The other 28 chapters in that Book are highly relevant to the novels major themes (as are Hugos sections about convents, criminals slang, and the Paris sewer system), but they can seem heavy to first-time readers. Unexpectedly, a note lands in his lap, which says "Move Out." Eight years later, the Friends of the ABC, led by Enjolras, are preparing an act of anti-Orlanist civil unrest (i.e. In less than a year, the bishop became treasurer of all works of charity and cashier to all those in distress. It includes "detailed explanatory notes, an overview of key themes, and more". He must have luxury, the same as the old bishops. Marius recognizes Valjean at first sight. I read the english translation by Isabel F. Hapgood and liked it. 1887 - Isabel Florence Hapgood 1976 - Norman Denny 1987 - Wilbour revised by Lee Fahnestock and Norman MacAfee 2007 - Julie Rose 2013 - Christine Donougher After the wedding, Valjean confesses to Marius that he is an ex-convict. 97 people found this helpful. Les Misrables has enjoyed tremendous popularity since it first hit the shelves in the 19th century. ), Hughes. I find Donoughers translation to be engaging, modern, and accurate. Some readers like Wilbours style. He informs Valjean that he cannot release Cosette without a note from the child's mother. A new translation by Julie Rose of Hugos behemoth classic that is as racy and current and utterly arresting as it should be. The Buffalo News (editors choice), Lively, dramatic, and wonderfully readable. Alison Lurie, Pulitzer Prizewinning author of Foreign Affairs, Splendid . The town's police inspector, Inspector Javert, who was an adjutant guard at the Bagne of Toulon during Valjean's incarceration, becomes suspicious of the mayor after witnessing this remarkable feat of strength. Hearing this, they reluctantly retire. Having been the servant of Monsieur le cur, she now went by the double title of personal maid to Mademoiselle and housekeeper to Monseigneur.9Mademoiselle Baptistine was a tall, pale, thin, sweet person, the personification of that ideal expressed by the word respectable; for it seems a woman must be a mother to be esteemed. Id love to hear how Les Misrables affects you! All the other students are killed. Then he spoke more loudly. Madame Thnardier immediately accepts, while Thnardier pretends to love Cosette and be concerned for her welfare, reluctant to give her up. I was wondering what translation or translations you've read of Les Mis and if you enjoyed them? Peter Robinson December 27, 2012 46 0 The family and I just returned from Les Miserables. I don't think I want to see the play/movie. He throws it into the Thnardiers' apartment through the wall crack. . Donougher's is the best translation I've read. Read the Great Books with Hardcore Literature: https://www.patreon.com/hardcoreliterature https://open.spotify.com . Thnardier to get Cosette. Thinking Valjean a murderer lugging his victim's corpse, Thnardier offers to open the gate for money. Marius overhears Thnardier's plan and goes to Javert to report the crime. She seemed a mere shadow with scarcely enough of a body to have a gender; just a bit of matter bearing a light, with great big eyes always lowered to the ground, an excuse for a spirit to remain on earth.Madame Magloire was a little old lady, white skinned, plump, round, busy, always wheezing, first because of always bustling about and second because of her asthma.When he first arrived, Monsieur Myriel was set up in his episcopal palace with all the honors required by imperial decree, which ranked bishops immediately after field marshals.10 The mayor and the president of the local council were the first to visit him, and on his side, he made his first visits to the general and the chief of police.Once he had moved in, the town waited to see their bishop on the job.II. We dont know what to do.The thought did strike me.What can we do, Monseigneur? said the director. As I was reading it I couldn't stop thinking, "Why do they teach Shakespeare when every single line of Hugo is this deep, poetic, profound truth?". Monsieur Charles Myriel emigrated to Italy soon after the Revolution broke out. This pierced shaving-dish was still to be seen in 1848, in the Rue du Contrat-Social, at the corner of the pillars of the market." "BBC News Bon anniversaire! Monseigneur put the others first but hes wound up having to think of himself, finally. After Javert grabs Valjean, Valjean asks for three days to bring Cosette to Fantine, but Javert refuses. Many readers enjoy Hapgoods translation. You have to resign yourself to it.This conversation took place in the dining-room gallery on the ground floor. She begs to be released so that she can provide for her daughter, but Javert sentences her to six months in prison. The Wretched, Doneagher (sp? He deemed it an "infantile" effort and brought an end to Hugo's career like "the fall of a god". Since its original publication, Les Misrables has been the subject of a large number of adaptations in numerous types of media, such as books, films, musicals, plays and games. The two respectable translations of Les Misrables are by Lee Fahnestock and norman MacAfee from Signet Classics (a revision of the first translation by Charles Wilbour from 1862, unabridged with a smattering of notes), and Christine Donougher from Penguin Classics (heavily annotated), which may in time become the definitive Les Mis. My old copy doesn't mention who did the translation, however, it was published by The Copp Co., Ltd. in England. As the barricade falls, Valjean carries off the injured and unconscious Marius. After the death of his father, Colonel Georges Pontmercy, Marius discovers a note from him instructing his son to provide help to a sergeant named Thnardier who saved his life at Waterlooin reality Thnardier was looting corpses and only saved Pontmercy's life by accident; he had called himself a sergeant under Napoleon to avoid exposing himself as a robber. [17] Hugo's description of Valjean rescuing a sailor on the Orion drew almost word for word on a Baron La Roncire's letter describing such an incident. What is the moral lesson of the story Les Misrables? When he stoops down to pick up a powder keg, a soldier comes up to shoot Marius. 12 Barbara Fox I've been DYING to read it, and finally have the time - so I want the best experience! I liked the Julie Rose translation so far with plans to read them all. According to Wikipedia: "Les Misrables is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. Rose is more aggressively modernized than I'd prefer, and I get bad vibes from Denny. Javert resists but Valjean prevails. Denny. I only have two copies, one of Donougher and Hapgood. In summary Christine Donougher's translation of Les Misrables is the best version available in English and I would advise all fans of the novel to buy it. Mme. I'm just asking about the best unabridged translation of les misrables. A revolutionary student club. They feel like digressions, although they really are not. It went like this:carriage upkeep and travel expensesBeef broth for the sick in the hospital 1500 livresFor the society of maternal charity of Aix 250 livresFor the society of maternal charity of Draguignan 250 livresFor abandoned children 500 livresFor orphans 500 livrestotal 3000 livresAnd that was Monsieur Myriels budget.As for the cost of episcopal services, redemptions, dispensations, baptisms, sermons, consecrations of churches and chapels, marriages and so on, the bishop took from the rich all the more greedily for giving it all to the poor.It wasnt long before offerings of money poured in. At the same time, his theft is reported to the authorities. As evidence of police double agents at the barricades, he writes: "The author of this book had in his hands, in 1848, the special report on this subject made to the Prefect of Police in 1832.". Look, my dear director, Ill tell you what. Monseigneur hasnt even claimed the money the dpartement owes him for the upkeep of his carriage in town and his rounds in the diocese. Walking down the street, he sees a man named Fauchelevent pinned under the wheels of a cart. Stunned, Marius recognizes the fabric as part of his own coat and realizes that it was Valjean who rescued him from the barricade. [18] Hugo used Bienvenu de Miollis (17531843), the Bishop of Digne during the time in which Valjean encounters Myriel, as the model for Myriel. Valjean loses the will to live and retires to his bed. Among those three, I'd go with Donougher. Denny is sometimes regarded as the best, most poetic translation, though it is abridged, as it removed about 200 pgs of (if i remember right) something like descriptions of sewer systems. His friends, Listolier, Fameuil, and Blachevelle were also paired with Fantine's friends Dahlia, Zphine, and Favourite. In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after breaking parole, agrees to care for a factory w. The slashers have finished; it was the turn of the thinkers. Digne's benevolent Bishop Myriel gives him shelter. Humankind's wounds, those huge sores that litter the world, do not stop at the blue and red lines drawn on maps. To impress him, she tries to prove her literacy by reading aloud from a book and by writing "The Cops Are Here" on a sheet of paper. Fantine discovers that Cosette is not at the hospital and fretfully asks where she is. Valjean recognizes Thnardier, but Thnardier does not recognize Valjean. [38][39] Translated the same year it appeared into several foreign languages, including Italian, Greek, and Portuguese, it proved popular not only in France, but across Europe and abroad. Madame Thnardier is furious with Valjean, while her husband makes light of Valjean's behaviour, caring only that he pay for his food and lodging. He was a good-looking young man, if on the short side, elegant, charming, and witty; he had given the best years of his life thus far to worldly pursuits and love affairs. He describes another occasion when a bullet shot "pierced a brass shaving-dish suspended over a hairdresser's shop. When the police capture Valjean, Myriel pretends that he has given the silverware to Valjean and presses him to take two silver candlesticks as well, as if he had forgotten to take them. That sinister victory was vanquished by liberty. There are twenty-six of you in five or six small rooms. [36] The Catholic Church placed it on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum.[37]. Denny is sometimes regarded as the best, most poetic translation, though it is abridged, as it removed about 200 pgs of (if i remember right) something like descriptions of sewer systems. Some have stated that the language he uses is less true to the French version, but I believe he captured the spirituality, and this other-worldly quality of the novel the best of all the translations. Marius discovers this man is ponine, dressed in men's clothes. The narrator occasionally injects himself into the narrative or reports facts outside the time of the narrative to emphasize that he is recounting historical events, not entirely fiction. Valjean takes Cosette and they try to escape from Javert. Upton Sinclair described the novel as "one of the half-dozen greatest novels of the world", and remarked that Hugo set forth the purpose of Les Misrables in the Preface:[7]. He then hears a voice telling him that his friends are waiting for him at the barricade. The hydra at the beginning, the angel at the end. The magnificent story [is] marvelously captured in this new unabridged translation.Denver Post, Rich and gorgeous. But the tale of redemption and love set during early 19th century France has been adapted numerous times for celluloid. Les Misrables Translations I read Les Misrables about two years ago. He went to Toulon to visit the Bagne in 1839 and took extensive notes, though he did not start writing the book until 1845. He arrests all the Thnardiers and Patron-Minette (except Claquesous, who escapes during his transportation to prison, and Montparnasse, who stops to run off with ponine instead of joining in on the robbery). Valjean tells Cosette her mother's story and name. Thnardier, hoping to swindle more out of Valjean, runs after them, holding the 1,500 francs, and tells Valjean he wants Cosette back. He finds Cosette fetching water in the woods alone and walks with her to the inn. The appearance of the novel was a highly anticipated event as Victor Hugo was considered one of France's foremost poets in the middle of the nineteenth century. 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