Les miserables unabridged vs abridged

Comparing three translations of les miserables gently. Complete and unabridged 9781566199155 by victor hugo and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Reading an abridged version of a classic as an elementary or middle school. Les miserables by victor hugo abridged content rating. I managed to read the unabridged version of the story in less than one summer. Unabridged definition of unabridged by merriamwebster. Its also insightful social commentary, among the best and most interesting of writing genres, if you ask me. In the englishspeaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original french title, which can be translated from the french as the miserable, the wretched, the miserable ones. Also, i love the character introductions for les amis in the unabridged version, and the abridged version ruined them for me. The first step to finding a copy of les miserables best suited for your needs is deciding whether you want an abridged. I know the unabridged version of the book starts out very slow, but i heard after that part the story starts. Only time ive read a book and wish id gotten the abridged version was les miserables.

The characters are french and the book is centered around their lives. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. Les miserables study guide contains a biography of victor hugo, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. 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 redemption. Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. Set in the parisian underworld and plotted like a detective story, les miserables follows jean valjean, originally an honest peasant, who has been imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sisters starving family. Les miserables by victor hugo abridged content rating and. For instance, it would probably be on the title page and most likely on the cover. I had to read the completely unabridged version of les miserables in high. I own the les miserables barnes and noble collectible edition of les miserables, which has a cream color and picture of cosette on it. Apr 25, 2008 set in the parisian underworld and plotted like a detective story, les misrables follows the adventures of jean valjean, originally an honest peasant, who has been imprisoned for nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sisters starving family.

I would recommend reading either the unabridged version or a much longer abridged version to get the full effect of this wonderful and moving piece of literature. There can be a lot of debate about abridged books vs unabridged. Considered to be french novelist victor hugos masterpiece, les miserables, which was published in 1862, is a sprawling historical and philosophical epic that covers from 1815 through the paris uprising in 1832. Ever since i first read the essay whats the difference. What is the difference between abridged and unabridged answers. I am trying to find out if it is an unabridged or abridged version.

Amazon has a paperback that specifically says unabridged which is 1488 pages. They have a lot of encounters, battles and challenges that are identical to each other except location, and a lot of huge descriptions of food and other trivialities that dont need to be there. Aug 05, 2008 the book les miserables, abridged or unabridged. Nice to know about waterloo, french revolution, french slang words, the paris sewer system, etc, but way to much information. Bill homewood has worked extensively for television and on stage in the west end, major theatres and the rsc. He becomes a factory owner, then a mayor, even taking upon himself a small child, cosette, who was the daughter of one of his employees. 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. I thought anne hathaway did a great job, did not care for helena bonham carter though. The students discover javert among their ranks, and, realizing that he is a spy, enjolras ties him up. May 04, 2017 i read two versions of les miserables. The books opens by describing the life of a really upstanding dude named bishop myriel. It was hard to believe that she really loved him with so little interaction between them. However, several alternatives have been used, including the miserables.

Comparing three translations of les miserables gently hew stone. For certain novels, like les miserables, reading the abridged version is fine. Naxos audiobooks les miserables unabridged bill homewood. 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. It has about 907 pages, which is much lesser than the unabridged. From a cultural standpoint, its important to read the complete thing, but an abridged version will tell the story just as well. Les miserables is often sold in an abridged form, for instance, so if you want to read the whole thing, you have to specifically find one that specifies that it is unabridged. What is an abridged book dec 27, why would anybody bother to read an abridged version of a book. Hugo included many chapters providing background on peripheral subjects. I did not need a 100 page essay on waterloo just to introduce a character in the last paragraph. The literal meaning of les miserables is the miserable ones.

Then in 2015 over summer, finally got around to reading the unabridged book and that version felt like a masterpiece. Abridged by gil on tuesday, aug 7, 2007 les miserables abridged or how i learned to stop worrying and love the french a broadway abridged script that weve been meaning to write since 1862 by gil varod and jennifer jordan scene. After his release, valjean plans to rob monseigneur myriel, a saintlike bishop, but cancels his plan. Now that the les mis film has finally been released, i have more material to write about than i ever dreamed i would. It is read by christopher cazenove and it is part of the classics read by celebrities audiobook series. I enjoy abridged books for my children for the reasons you listed. The difference between an abridged and an unabridged version. This is inspired by the same topic in the count of monte cristo discussions. That book was full of digressions that were dozens of pages long and didnt add anything to the plot of an otherwise great story. This is extremely abridged, and some of the most important parts have been omitted. Les miserables abridged and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Aug 26, 2011 dragonball z abridged parody follows the adventures of goku, gohan, krillin, piccolo, vegeta and the rest of the z warriors as they gather dragonballs and fight the evil forces of freeza cell and. This edition has complete and unabridged printed clearly on its cover. See a complete list of the characters in les miserables and indepth analyses of jean valjean, cosette, javert, marius pontmercy, and fantine.

He has also directed theatre on both sides of the atlantic, and his various writing credits include theatrical letters, published by marginalia, and under the blue, a collection of his own poetry, published by mimosa. Jean valjean was convicted for stealing a loaf of bread. I mean you are still going to read almost a thousand pages of this novel, it isnt like you are reading the cliff notes version. A hardened criminal upon his release, he eventually reforms, becoming a successful industrialist and town mayor. A better understanding, especially when we read through an updated pilgrims progress. Les miserables audiobook by victor hugo, lee fahnestock.

I first started with the abridged and felt like something was differentdont know what translation that was. I also have a struggling reader and les miserables would have sunk him. Naxos audiobooks les miserables abridged bill homewood. Sep 23, 2008 first of all, if your copy is abridged, it should and would say that somewhere. If you find that you generally love les mis, go back and read through the unabridged sections if you want to. If you want the pure version, go with the unabridged. It was an instant popular success and was quickly translated into several languages. 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. I recently read an abridged version of the count of monte cristo because i was curious about what they cut out to make the thing so slim.

I think the abridged version doesnt have the sidetracking. Les miserables abridged vs unabridged showing 150 of 84. One day, an ex convict wanders into the bishops village and cant find any food or lodging because everyone turns him away. Free chapter notes book summary chapter summaries with notes analysis fantine book first. What is the best version of the book les miserables by vitor hugo. Best english translations of victor hugos les miserables owlcation. In 3d a broadway abridged script by gil varod and robert j. Victor hugos masterpiece of adventure, rebellion, and human redemption burst onto the french literary scene in 1862. In the englishspeaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original french title.

I went to the store today and bought les miserables, only to find out once i got home that it is the abridged version. Notable for its many subplots and digressions from the main storyline, the novels stated aim is a progress from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from falsehood to truth, which. Spent 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, for almost two months listening to all 5 volumes of les miserables. New introductions commissioned from todays top writers and scholars. Forum questions and answers board abridged or unabridged follow. Hugos classic tale set against the backdrop of political upheaval in. Les miserablesunabridged and illustrated by victor hugo. An exconvict breaks parole and starts a new life as a righteous man, but is pursued by a police inspector. Les mis rables is a french historical novel by victor hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. Englishfrench volume 1 by victor hugo and sarah e holroyd jan 26, 2016 2. Les miserables illustrated by victor hugo nook book. I normally would never read an abridged version, but now i dont know if i should take the book back sometime next week and try to find an unabridged version, or if i should just read the one i have now. What a great book, but some of the history lessons were a little too long. Its great because its an imaginative, beautifully crafted and uplifting story.