Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose

By: Victor Hugo, Julie Rose - translator

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 60 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the great classics of world literature and the inspiration for the most beloved stage musical of all time, Les Misérables is legendary author Victor Hugo’s masterpiece. This extraordinary English version by renowned translator Julie Rose captures all the majesty and brilliance of Hugo’s work. Here is the timeless story of the quintessential hunted man—Jean Valjean—and the injustices, violence, and social inequalities that torment him.

©2008 Random House (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Rich and gorgeous. This is the [translation] to read.” ( Times (London))

This book is a gem!!!

What did you love best about Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose?

This is about the best I can imagine audible has to offer. The story is great. The reading was wonderful. I've read reviews about the translation not being so great well all I can say is it shines through for me wonderfully!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose?

There are so many memorable moments it is impossible to pick just one.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

I started another book and went back to listen to this a second time. Part of that is because I miss the voice. He has a wonderful storytellers voice. I also liked how he did the characters.

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is hard to believe that a book so long can continue to keep me so engaged but it did right up to the end.

Sits on my mental bookshelf next to the Bible

What did you love best about Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose?

I really appreciated the narration of George Guidall. He was an excellent choice of actor to record this important work. He has great character voices, inflections, masterful skill in being the "one man show" of Les Miserable. (I hope he received some kind of award or recognition!) The reason why many start Les Miserables but never finish is that between Hugo's verbose language and the complicated and continuous (to modern eyes) French language references make it a very dense read. Yet, if you approach this book as if you were sitting in a big leather armchair before a fire with someone such as George Guidall reading it to you, with all the phrasing and correct pronunciations in context, Hugo's pageant opens up to you. Not only is it a great work of literature, it is profoundly deep, entertaining, sentimental and moving. If the musical/operetta version (excellent in it's own genre) Les Miserables is a six-inch ruler, the book is a yard-stick!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose?

So many - off the top, where Jean Val Jean finds Cossette in the forest when she is getting water, later when Marius falls in love with her in the Luxembourg Gardens; the characterization of Marius' grandfather, the description of the Battle of Waterloo. The night Jean Val Jean agonizes over whether or not he should turn himself in when a man of mistaken identity may be condemned in his place. All fantastic.

Which scene was your favorite?

Of the many memorable scenes, my favorite is where the three orphaned boys take shelter in the Elephant of the Bastille during a thunderstorm. It was months ago that I originally read it, yet it continues to haunt me. It was touchingly adorable, funny and horrifying all at once.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

As a joke - You haven't cried so much since Bambi's Mother died! Seriously - the story that asks and answers our universal questions about life - with one word.

Any additional comments?

Well worth the value if you get it as a single purchase or on a membership. It took me a year to complete the audio version and that was with being able to listen to it at extended periods at a time. And what was the first thing I did after wiping away my last tear on the last page? (so to speak) Hit the download button again to listen to the first part. I didn't want to leave and there is so much more to be gained again and again. I'm so glad this version of this book exists in this world. It truly has been a blessing in my life. If you can, please do invest the time. I hope you will find it equally moving.

The Best Audible Book - Bar None!

Where does Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Best Audible Book - Bar None!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose?

You enter a world that is so deep and perfectly explained that you come away not only loving the story of the lives of the many characters, but also having been to a university of history!

Which scene was your favorite?

When Jean Valjean carries Marius through the sewers.

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

There is humor, there is intrigue, I even wept.

Any additional comments?

Of all the Audible books I have downloaded, and there are many, many of them, this is one of my all time favorites. I have listened to it 3 times and it is always new and very exciting. By the way, be prepared. If you think you know the story because you have watched the movie, think again. The popular renditions of this tale are merely a minute fraction of the complete story! I'm not exaggerating at all when I say this. In fact, after you read this book you will think that my assertion was an understatement! The author completely recreates every bit of back story for every significant character! Not only that, but you will learn much about France, the French Revolution, the convents, even the intricacies of the sewer system of Paris! I cannot more highly recommend this book! Buy it, learn from it, cherish it! It may very well change your outlook on life!

An All-time classic

wonderfully narrated and translated. I was moved to tears so many times that i feel happy to be finished but i am glad to know now the full story.

Outstanding

Engaging narration, beautiful translation, timeless book! I recommend this book to my friends and family!

Les Miserables Review

As I said with The Count of Monte Cristo, if you’re going to tackle a French translation, an audiobook is the way to go. There’s no way you’d pronounce the words properly, and this helps immensely. I can now actually read the book, if I wanted to, with confidence in my pronunciations.

The narration is outstanding.

About the story: when Victor Hugo gets around to telling it, it’s great. But we have to face it: he’s a windbag. This audiobook ends with an essay that says the long digressions are more relevant than you may think. It’s a good essay and I almost think you should listen to it first but it does give away some of the story. To some extent, I agree with the essay. An audiobook helps you get through these times, though (I wonder if they had editors in those days; if so, they were terrible). I also heard that back in those days they liked the slow paced stories that “never end”.

But Victor Hugo is talented and intelligent. You’ll see that he possessed a lot of knowledge. And the story is really good when he gets around to telling it.

Like The Count of Monte Cristo, I read the CliffsNotes after I listened to a set of chapters. This helped make sure I understood what was happening. The CliffsNotes are inline with the audiobook chapters. I did the same with SparkNotes, but midway through they stopped aligning with the audiobook chapters for whatever reason and I gave them up.

The key to getting through a big book like this is consistent listening. When you think about it, it’s like watching five seasons of a television show forty-five minutes a day.

But what made me want to listen to this in the first place? Because I've obviously heard of this book, and the musical, and wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Not that everyone's always talking about it, but it just looms in the background as one of those big, epic, novels you're supposed to read. I do feel more "cultured" now that I've read it. It's more fulfilling to have gotten through a book like this — and to actually understand it — than it is to read a more pop-culture book. I might forget that I even read a pop-culture book but I won't forget this. I didn't read it to tell people I read it. It's a private accomplishment, and I'm happy that I've done it.

I plan on watching the movie made in the early 90’s now. And if I ever do see the musical, I’m sure I’ll appreciate it more.

Awesome Book

One of the best novels I have ever listened to. A true classic.. Highly recommend

Simply sublime

Listening to this audio book has been an immersive story experience I will savor for a very, very long time to come. Exquisite tale, movingly performed - simply the best.

Time well spent

I bought this book for my kids to read in high school. I'm not sure if either of them finished it. The book sat for years on the shelf and occassionally I would look at it and think I might try it, but being a slow reader I never did. I downloaded the book and within 10 minutes I was hooked. I love George Guidall and he did a great job.
I was always told the story was about a man who went to prison for stealing bread. That was all. This book is so much more. I will never tell anyone it is about a man who stole bread. It is a book about lies, abuse, treachery and plain old meanness. It is about grace, mercy, compassion, loyalty, love and honor.

Absolutely my all time favorite

Where does Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I cannot say enough about this novel. I love the film with Liam Neesen - and set out to read the book. Completed the first part - (though the historical sections are tough) and then realized, with my audible membership - I should just listen. The narrator on this novel is wonderful. It is immensely helpful to have it read to you - and aids with the difficulties in not being a French citizen (unfamiliar with the history of France and the details of Paris). His accent, his voices - everything was wonderful. I am, and will always be - in love with this story of redemption. The book is SO much better than the film (as always)....