I know — it’s long. It’s very very long. Are you reading it? I devoured the first couple of sections, and it lagged a bit in the middle for me, but I’m so glad I’ve re-read it.
In the spirit of the book, I want to extend grace to those of you who are trying to read it. I think that the themes in the first part are so strong that even if you don’t finish reading it, you are welcome to join in the discussion!
As always, you can simply post a review, or you can use any or all of these questions as a starting place to discuss the book. These questions are fairly “English Major-y,” or “Former English Teacher-y,” but they are worth exploring — and everyone will get an A for Effort.
- Who are the miserable ones that the title refers to? Who in our society today are downtrodden as these are?
- The characters are complex. Many are likeable, but not necessarily good (or they are good, yet not so likeable). Examine one or more of the characters, looking at his or her choices, and what they represent on a more universal level.
- What do you think that the theme of Les Mis is?
- How would you classify this novel? It covers so many themes — allegory, suspense, romance, war. Which storyline appealed most to you?
- The experience: Which version did you read (how many pages)? Did you like it? If it’s not your first time to read it, how did this reading compare to others?
Come back and link up here at midnight Eastern on Tuesday March 3.
Classics Bookclub Schedule:
- April 7 — Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
- May 5 — The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- June 2 — Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
- July 7 — Any work by Louisa May Alcott
- August 4 — The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
- September 1 — Any work by Mark Twain
I thought I’d make a suggestion for October…Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes” or “October Country” seemed to be made to be read around Halloween! “The Halloween Tree” is also good, but it is rather short.
I am delighted with all the comments about Les Miserables. It’s my most favorite book. I was so taken for many years by all the spiritual and theological themes in the book that I wrote a book of reflections on those themes (The Wisdom of Les Miserables: Lessons From the Heart of Jean Valjean [2008] ). My blog is titled The Wisdom of Les Miserables. Thank you for initiating and moderating this discussion. I hope you all will drop by my blog and visit my website at http://www.blsinc.com/garrotto.htm.