Monday, January 1, 2018

Les Misérables Chapter-a-Day Read-along



Happy New Year all!

I thought I would throw my hat in to the ring and participate in the 2018 Les Misérables Chapter-a-Day Read-along hosted by Deacon Nick at One Catholic Life.  I have never read this chunkster and this seems like an interesting way to tackle it since there are exactly 356 chapters in the unabridged version of the novel. I found out about this challenge on Lory's blog Emerald City Book Review. I know I will not be posting about each chapter per day, but maybe I will chart my progress on the blog as I complete each of the five major sections.
 
I just downloaded the Norman Denny translation from the library to my e-reader (just an aside...I am also currently reading Lonesome Dove, a book I do own in hardback and boy howdy, e-readers really are a fantastic way to access such huge books.  I was skeptical at first but have become a convert!). I am crossing my fingers that I will not have to actually purchase the book since my library has multiple copies, although I will have to probably switch between the e-book and the print edition along the way. 
 
I am vaguely familiar with the story but have never seen a film or the musical adaptation of the book. 

I am 99.9% sure I will be able to read this book in 2018. My only qualm is if I will be able to limit myself to the chapter a day or will I feel compelled to read ahead?
 

16 comments:

  1. Yeah...I can almost guarantee you will be tempted to read ahead at times. Enjoy.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Joseph! I will try my best to limit the page turning!

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  2. Hi Ruthiella, I have a few chunksters LOL sitting around my apartment as well. War and Peace for example. I probably won't get to it this year but a chapter a day read along would be a good way to tackle these huge books. Good luck with Les Miserables and agree with these big books an e-reader is essential.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Kathy! War and Peace is also on my list. Now that I have the e-reader (just got it in September 2017) maybe I will give that a shot in the near future too. :D

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  3. Hi Ruthiella! Thanks for joining the Les Mis Read-along! No worries if you can't stop yourself and you end up reading ahead! I look forward to hearing what you think of the book!

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    1. Thanks for the comment Nick! I think this will be a lot of fun and a great way to access the book.

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  4. Best!! I read this one in HS and loved it. Though I do think it had some draggy parts in the middle. I do know the last 60 pages were riveting.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Care! I am pleased to know you enjoyed it. I have heard there is a lot of "off topic" bits about Napoleon and the Paris sewers, etc. but hopefully I will find those interesting too.

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  5. I love the musical but have a avoided the book! :) Good luck. I hope you enjoy it.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Lark! I may have to rent the musical once I have finished the book.

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  6. Good luck!! I was wondering the other day why this one retains its French title in English. The only other example I could think for that is Bonjour Tristesse, though I'm sure there are many others. Is it just because it's untranslatable? Hmm, I feel a blog post coming on...

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    1. Thanks for the comment Simon! That would be an excellent blog post (or Tea or Books episode? Translated tiles vs untranslated titles...) You know there is a lot to talk about that, like Camus "The Stranger" vs "The Outsider". Both work but mean slightly different things in English so which is closer to the original "L'Etranger"?

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  7. I've already read ahead! But only a few days, in preparation for going away this weekend.

    I also have the Denny translation, but a lovely cloth covered Penguin hardback (which I may regret on the nights I'm feeling tired!)

    Lovely to meet you & your blog thanks to this readalong :-)

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    1. Thanks for the comment Brona! So far I have managed to keep to schedule. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts as we read!

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  8. I never manage to read ahead...I've missed two targets already!
    Chapters are short and I try to read them with my morning coffee...I never miss that! Glad you are joining Nick and the rest of the particpants!

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    1. Thanks for the comment Nancy! It is helpful that the chapters are short for sure! As with Brona, I am looking forward to reading your posts about this book.

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