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Les Miserables  By  cover art

Les Miserables

By: Victor Hugo
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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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.

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What listeners say about Les Miserables

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Fourth time I have read it

Would you consider the audio edition of Les Miserables to be better than the print version?

Audible added something to the experience

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jean Val Jean

Have you listened to any of Frederick Davidson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He was excellent!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Jean falling out of the crow's nest.

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A view of the past in more ways than one

I read the book because I LOVED the movie. The book is 97 chapters, the movie covers the first four. I cried multiple times and eventhough it is verbose it is totally enjoyable. The book was written in 1859 and goes into great detail regarding The Battle of Waterloo. Even though it portrays a time long gone the writing style also speaks to the readers of that time.

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Great

Detailed story telling I feel as though I am a part of this unique family

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Amust read / hear classic.

while it is in fact the longest book I have listen too, and at times the descriptions of the scene seam to wind on it is none the less one of the greatest stories.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An epic tale of love and sadness

If you love history mixed with story, this is a book for you. The more I listened, the more I wanted to know what came next. I fell in love with the protagonist and kept pulling for him. Prepare for a long journey and enjoy.

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wow!

59 hours of French history and wonderful story. So much more than the performance. And you'll come away with a smattering of argot (thieves' French).

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Worth The Time

There's a reason it's a classic. It's very long but definitely worth the time invested.

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Better than the Bible

I don’t think I need to expand. Everyone should read this. Worth the year it took me to get through it.

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Heartbreakingly beautiful

Heartbreakingly beautiful recording unforgettable performance by Frederick Davidson don't miss out on this amazing experience

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Timeless classic

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The narration is excellent and dividing it into parts make the download managable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Les Miserables?

The climactic moment of the trial and the death of Fantine

Which character – as performed by Frederick Davidson – was your favorite?

Jean Val Jean

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me do both.

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