Les Miserables

By: Victor Hugo

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Length: 57 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

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 sister's starving family. A hardened criminal upon his release, he eventually reforms, becoming a successful industrialist and town mayor. Despite this, he is haunted by an impulsive former crime and is pursued relentlessly by the police inspector Javert.

Hugo describes early 19th-century France with a sweeping power that gives his novel epic stature. Among the most famous chapters are the account of the battle of Waterloo and Valjean's flight through the Paris sewers.

(P)1996 Blackstone Audiobooks

An epic tale of required reading

I don't read French and have less of a desire to learn it now having listened to 58 hours of a translation of it. I do believe had VH penned Le Mis in English, Campbell's translation would have been the result-- it is a English masterpiece. The pictures, expression, endless redundancies are beyond entertaining.
I will admit that I skipped through the author's rant about the church following his long discourse on the Bennidictine Sisters.
I also found the author's ending completely unrealistic and unconvincing, a stupid attempt to justify perhaps the only clean, clear, wise, understanding soul in all France, transformed to Saint by the love of God, into a festering, self absorbed pity party.
The performer exhibited great reading talent, making this a superb listening experience.

The book I will every two to three years until I die

My first “reading” of Les Misérables was out of curiosity about the hype. I was intimidated by its length. Deciding to listen, instead of read, on audible while scrapping off the paint on the exterior of my home seemed to be, at the time, the best way to satisfy my curiosity as well as my honor never having read this masterpiece and possessing a Master’s degree in English Literature. My home took as long as the listening. A couple years later I actually had the book open and listened to the audio at the same time. That is the best way for me - I need both visual and audio. I was hooked. Victor Hugo is a master of depicting human nature. The themes of mercy and grace are second to the sacred scriptures. Hugo takes you into the setting and the times leaving you with knowledge and impressions you will never forget. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo is a beautiful timeless masterpiece worthy of the time and energy - and that over and over.

Frederick Davidson’s narration is superb. Obviously I could listen to him for hours.

My only constructive criticism is that perhaps a complimentary female voice would harmonize with the strong male voice for a more realistic rendition.

Thank you audible for taking on this challenging book.

Outstanding!

Would you listen to Les Miserables again? Why?

I would listen to Les Miserables again! This story is a classic for a reason. It has everything in it. Love, war, romance, triumph of good over evil.

Wish it were longer…

When you love a story it becomes part of you. Victor Hugo not only wrote a story but through his beloved characters gave life to the history of France, the Church & modern democracy that The French Revolution paved the way for all over the world. I listened to parts many of the audio several times over & sped through those that were tedious. All in all, I wish the story went on.

Long, but a good story overall

I will admit I a fast forwarded through a lot of the chapters on the background of the church, the war, and the very long and detailed description of the sewer. I do believe you could play a drinking game with the number of times the sewer is described as a cloaca.
However, the in-depth character development creates an compelling story where the characters’ storylines weave in and out through the decades. A lesson the world still needs to learn, that one mistake shouldn’t follow you and ruin your chance for any success. A few hundred years and sadly not much has changed.
I’ve read negative comments about the narrator, but I think he was perfect for tome. His voice is very classic and fitting for the time period then book was written. I picture him drinking a cuppa as he reads aloud by the fire.

Worth it

I really enjoyed this. At times it’s long, and I had a hard time getting used to the narrators voice at first, but I feel like reading it has added a lot to my life. I even enjoyed a lot of the tangents. Hearing the perspective of Hugo, a man from a completely different time and place than me, really added some unique perspectives to the way I view things now. Plus, the story is beautiful. Jean Valjean is one of my favorite characters, and in the book you really hear what’s going on inside his head, which was one of my favorite parts.

Les Miserables

Truly, one of the most heartbreaking stories of all time. Try to ignor Hugo’s interminable side descriptions of geography, the streets of Paris, Waterloo, etc, etc. and go to the heart of the story. You will not be disappointed.

Listen!

This is a classic that should be read because it will point you toward Christ and who He is!

Incredible Voice talent

Unbelievable how the narrator can breathe life into so many numerous personalities. You can see the characters in your mind. Yes at first his voice might put you off, but once you get adjusted the characters he creates are outstanding! He interprets the story magnificently. His singing voice is the perfect depiction of the common man. I thought he was superb.

Incredible narration of a timeless classic

I found myself so captivated by this book and narrator that I would listen at every chance. Obviously the story is incredible, but the narration makes it even better. Absolutely a must listen!!