He introduces his recounting of Waterloo with several paragraphs describing the narrator's recent approach to the battlefield: "Last year (1861), on a beautiful May morning, a traveller, the person who is telling this story, was coming from Nivelles"[28] The narrator describes how "[a]n observer, a dreamer, the author of this book" during the 1832 street fighting was caught in crossfire: "All that he had to protect him from the bullets was the swell of the two half columns which separate the shops; he remained in this delicate situation for nearly half an hour." In addition, Donoughers detailed historical, cultural, and literary notes greatly help readers understand Hugos many references. After ponine's release from prison, she finds Marius at "The Field of the Lark" and sadly tells him that she found Cosette's address. The novel has been translated into 21 languages, and there are 7 different translations into English which English-speaking readers can choose from. When his visit was over, he politely begged the director to accompany him back to his place.Monsieur le directeur, how many sick people do you have in your hospital at the moment?Twenty-six, Monseigneur.Thats what I counted, said the bishop.The beds are all jammed together, the director went on.Thats what I noticed.The living areas are just bedrooms, and theyre difficult to air.Thats what I thought.Then again, when theres a ray of sun, the gardens too small for the convalescents.Thats what I said to myself.As for epidemics, weve had typhus this year, and two years ago we had miliary feverup to a hundred were down with it at any one time. Rose is more aggressively modernized than I'd prefer, and I get bad vibes from Denny. He seemed to think there was something wrong with Hugo's novel. Javert arrests Fantine. Valjean goes to Fantine, speaks to her in an inaudible whisper, kisses her hand, and then leaves with Javert. She leads him to Valjean's and Cosette's house on Rue Plumet, and Marius watches the house for a few days. This may be old; but will still share my opinions for future readers. Denny has quite an old fashioned feel - he translated the book in the 80s (I think) but it has an earnest-Victorian-novel sort of quality. I've read the Norman Denny translation and to me he truly grasped the poetry and drama of Victor Hugo's writing. Yet it may well serve some purpose, if only in the interests of precision, to jot down here the rumors and gossip that had circulated about him the moment he first popped up in the diocese. I find Donoughers translation to be engaging, modern, and accurate. Explore Now Get Free eBook Sample Buy As Gift LEND ME See Details Overview Vive Les Misrables! I've read it, as have millions of other English speakers, and highly recommend it. Large sums passed through his hands, but nothing could make him change his style of life in the slightest or get him to embellish his spartan existence by the faintest touch of the superfluous.Far from it. Thnardier emerges from the darkness. Thnardier comes back alone, and announces the address is a fake. Everything about it was on the grand scale, the bishops apartments, the drawing rooms, the bedrooms, the main courtyard, which was huge, with covered arcades in the old Florentine style, and the gardens planted with magnificent trees. I don't know whether it will be read by everyone, but it is meant for everyone. Valjean volunteers to execute Javert himself, and Enjolras grants permission. Valjean accedes to Marius' judgment and his separation from Cosette. My old copy doesn't mention who did the translation, however, it was published by The Copp Co., Ltd. in England. Monsieur le comte, things will only come good when the emperor has delivered us from these pious swine. It is during this time that Valjean manages to free himself. Humankind's wounds, those huge sores that litter the world, do not stop at the blue and red lines drawn on maps. If youd like more opinions, Goodreads readers have shared thoughts about their favorite translations. The one about convents he titles "Parenthesis" to alert the reader to its irrelevance to the story line.[12]. . As she lies dying on his knees, she confesses that she was the one who told him to go to the barricade, hoping they would die together. Both of us may benefit.That very night, the emperor asked the cardinal what the curs name was and some time after that Monsieur Myriel was stunned to learn that hed been named bishop of Digne.But, when alls said and done, what was true in the tales told about the first phase of Monsieur Myriels life? The Wretched, Doneagher (sp? I was wondering what translation or translations you've read of Les Mis and if you enjoyed them? In French, the letters "ABC" are pronounced identically to the French word abaisss, 'the abased'. Insulted, Marius leaves. Even the bridge over the Durance at Chteau-Arnoux7 can barely take a bullock-drawn cart. He had to endure it even though he was the bishop, and because he was the bishop. [35] In a newspaper review, Charles Baudelaire praised Hugo's success in focusing public attention on social problems, though he believed that such propaganda was the opposite of art. [22][23] He spent several vacations in Montreuil-sur-Mer. Wraxall. None of the adaptations can do the book justice. But the tale of redemption and love set during early 19th century France has been adapted numerous times for celluloid. When Fantine arrives at Montfermeil, she leaves Cosette in the care of the Thnardiers, a corrupt innkeeper and his selfish, cruel wife. 12 Barbara Fox He sends Gavroche to deliver it to her, but Gavroche leaves it with Valjean. Privacy Policy. Learn how to enable JavaScript on your browser, 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. Surprisingly Javert agrees, assuming that Marius will be dead within minutes. His friends, Listolier, Fameuil, and Blachevelle were also paired with Fantine's friends Dahlia, Zphine, and Favourite. [32] The remaining volumes appeared on 15 May 1862. He also orders Azelma to punch out a window pane, which she does, resulting in cutting her hand (as Thnardier had hoped). Well do likewise whenever the occasion arises. He complained that the characters were crude stereotypes who all "speak very well but all in the same way". "[33] The Goncourt brothers judged the novel artificial and disappointing. However, a man covers the muzzle of the soldier's gun with his hand. Richmond, Virginia, 1863. As he searches Valjean and Marius's pockets, he surreptitiously tears off a piece of Marius's coat so he can later find out his identity. Hugo imagined the life of the man in jail and the mother and daughter taken away from each other. Hugo explained his ambitions for the novel to his Italian publisher:[10]. Thnardier approaches Marius in disguise, but Marius recognizes him. For more possibilities, see this 2013 article from Empty Mirror. There have been eight English translations, six of them are still read, and two are in the public domain. 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. Weakened by the severity of her illness, she falls back in shock and dies. Marius climbs to the top of the barricade, holding a torch in one hand, a powder keg in the other, and threatens to the soldiers that he will blow up the barricade. In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original French title. Victor Hugo (1802-85), novelist, poet, playwright, and French national icon, is best known for two of todays most popular world classics: Available on Compatible NOOK Devices and the free NOOK Apps. Valjean manages to escape the scene before Javert sees him. Donougher's is the best translation I've read. This edition contains a few errors of translation and more than a few moments in which I had to turn back to Hugos original. Unexpectedly, a note lands in his lap, which says "Move Out." After confirming this, the soldiers retreat from the barricade. 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. He is still not certain if he wants to protect Marius or kill him. ). He feels he can no longer give Valjean up to the authorities but also cannot ignore his duty to the law. After ponine leaves, Marius observes the "Jondrettes" in their apartment through a crack in the wall. The cover looks exactly like this but it has "Complete and unabridged" printed on the cover as well.. VICTOR HUGO'S novel "Les Miserables" is best known these days as a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. . A dandy named Bamatabois harasses Fantine in the street, and she reacts by striking him. Translation of "les dimensions" in English. None of the adaptations can do the book justice. The only problem I had with the Donougher was the decision to go with an english title. Donougher sits nicely in the middle in my opinion - accessible and conversational style but very true to the original text. Thnardier, Patron-Minette and Brujon manage to escape from prison with the aid of Gavroche (a rare case of Gavroche helping his family in their criminal activities). He asked his mistresses, Lonie d'Aunet and Juliette Drouet, to tell him about life in convents. You can likely figure that out by reading the same pages from different editions online or in bookstores. In less than a year, the bishop became treasurer of all works of charity and cashier to all those in distress. Based on your criteria I'm going to say Denny (1976). I'm at the point where Valjean is about to steal the silver (spoilers!). I only have two copies, one of Donougher and Hapgood. Besides, the nickname tickled him.I like that name, he said. Translation is difficult for many reasons, including the fact that a good translation needs to be true to the original and able to stand on its own for a new audience, as explained in a 2008 NPR story. They arrive to find Valjean near death and reconcile with him. The Rose translation lost some of the magnificent prose that Hugo has by trying to make it accessible and modern. Donougher's the best. As you will have noticed, the bishop kept only a thousand livres for himself which, added to Mademoiselle Baptistines pension, meant fifteen hundred francs a year. Valjean hides as they search for him, because if apprehended he will be returned to the galleys for life as a repeat offender. C. E. Wilbour Translation C. E. Wilbour created the first English translation of Les Miserables in 1863, just one year after the original novel was first published. Now he acts like all the rest. I personally love the Julie Rose translation, but a lot of people don't. You can't really go wrong, though, with the original Wilbour Fahnestock & McAffee. Also published in an abridged edition by New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1996; 2003. Mountain Goats "Pigs That Ran Straightaway Into the Water, Triumph Of" . There are many film adaptations of the book, and the stage and movie musical version, but the book is so much richer. or ask your favorite author a question with Peter Robinson December 27, 2012 46 0 The family and I just returned from Les Miserables. 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. The philanthropist and his daughter enteractually Valjean and Cosette. Hello! Valjean rents new lodgings at Gorbeau House, where he and Cosette live happily. They had no children. After the wedding, Valjean confesses to Marius that he is an ex-convict. [18] Hugo used Bienvenu de Miollis (17531843), the Bishop of Digne during the time in which Valjean encounters Myriel, as the model for Myriel. [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. Victor Hugo's tale of injustice, heroism and love follows the fortunes of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict determined to put his criminal past behind him. 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. Thnardier enlists the aid of the Patron-Minette, a well-known and feared gang of murderers and robbers. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. like. Thnardier decides to kill Valjean. When Marius arrives at the barricade, the revolution has already started. The Editor's Preface announces its intention of correcting errors in Wilbour's translation. 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. The episcopal palace was a vast and handsome town house built in stone at the beginning of the previous century by Monseigneur Henri Puget, doctor of theology of the faculty of Paris and abb of Simore,1 who had been bishop of Digne in 1712. You have to resign yourself to it.This conversation took place in the dining-room gallery on the ground floor. Valjean (Mayor Madeleine) intervenes and orders Javert to release her. This is the best translation of the novel available in English, as recommended by David Bellos in The Novel of the Century. He also slipped personal anecdotes into the plot. 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