R Lit question

[Pat]

Are the versions of Les Miserables and Great Expectations that TOG suggests unabridged? I've looked at the books themselves but can't tell.

[DanaCinTN]

Yes, they are both unabridged. The specific versions we recommend are because of the notes.

Blessings,

[Pat]

Thanks Dana!

[cjsomerville]

Ummm... actually, Dana, can I get you to double-check that? I'm pretty sure that our recommended Les Mis is abridged because I think it's only about 600 pages, whereas I know the unabridged version is 1200 pages. I agree about Great Expectations, though---our version of that is definitely unabridged!

Pat, obviously the length of Les Mis was another factor in our decision to use the abridged version (assuming I'm right that it IS the abridged version!), though I agree with Dana that we did pick it for its notes as well (same with Great Expectations).

Thanks for checking again, Dana!

Christy

[Christine TX]

Yep, Les Mis is abridged. I didn't realize that and had my son read the "real" version I had at home. I ordered the TOG copy with an Amazon order, but he was already 3/4 of the way through it. If you do the unabridged, then allow more time as Christy is right and it is MUCH longer. My son started it a week earlier and took a week longer than scheduled. But he made it through all 1200 pages and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Christine

[Pat]

Originally posted by cjsomerville:
Ummm... actually, Dana, can I get you to double-check that? I'm pretty sure that our recommended Les Mis is abridged because I think it's only about 600 pages, whereas I know the unabridged version is 1200 pages. I agree about Great Expectations, though---our version of that is definitely unabridged!

Pat, obviously the length of Les Mis was another factor in our decision to use the abridged version (assuming I'm right that it IS the abridged version!), though I agree with Dana that we did pick it for its notes as well (same with Great Expectations).

Thanks for checking again, Dana!

Christy

Thanks for letting me know Christy. I mostly just want to know for my own information. I agree that 1400 pages which is what I saw else where is way too much reading.

Maybe you can help me with a question: I was puzzled by the scene where Jean Valjean "steals" the coin from the little chimney sweep. When I read it, he didn't appear to be aware of what was happening with the coin. I am not yet even close to the end. Will this be worked out in the end or is it left with us knowing he's not really guilty of theft?

[cjsomerville]

That's a scene that puzzled me for about eight years, Pat. ;-) It's also a pivotal scene in the book, which makes it extra difficult. What I've finally come to as my attempt at understanding it is that Valjean doesn't realize that he put his foot down on the coin, but it doesn't matter---he still stole it. And that theft makes him guilty in the eyes of the law all over again. Besides, he was rough with the child and didn't really listen to him when he was trying to explain that Valjean had put his foot down on the coin, so it's doubly Valjean's fault in that sense.

Does this help at all?

Christy

[Pat]

Yes, it does especially the part about the roughness.

[Caryl]

This was my son's first Favorite Tapestry Book. Our first ToG year was Year 2 and he was working so hard at the Rhetoric Level but feeling heavily laden. It was Les Mis that drew him in and ultimately he requested his own copy! (not the family library) and it wasn't even abridged.

Our family also enjoys the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, both to watch and to listen to the music cd's. The French Revolution is so popular in our family!

[cjsomerville]

I can't say Les Mis was my FIRST favorite TOG book, but it's been very high on my list ever since high school! In fact, when I had to write a 60-page paper for my senior Classical Comparisons, I chose to write it partly on Hugo and Les Mis. Getting to read the unabridged version as I researched for that paper was one of the highlights of my high school life!

The Somerville family also loves the musical---I think every one of the six (now grown up and in separate households or in college) kids owns his or her own CD set and we frequently burst into song (or make up new song lyrics) when we are together. We've also all seen it on stage, most of us more than once. In fact, just the other day at the office I was playing Les Mis for the graphic designer who makes our website so beautiful (and also happens to be my little brother)... what good memories!

All of which is to say, we love Les Mis too! And I'm so glad your family does! :-D

Christy