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))

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)....

Such a rich and amazing story

What made the experience of listening to Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose the most enjoyable?

The story itself is so rich and varied. It comprises so many stories into one book and I loved that.

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

The story of jean valjean and cosette was so touching and amazing.

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

No

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

The very begining when the father had mercy on jean valjean and gave him the silver

Any additional comments?

A must read

Great story, great translation and fantastic narration by George Guidall!!

Les Miserables is a masterpiece. Well recognized as one of the greatest literary works of all time. This narration is especially good for George Guidall’s attention to emphasis, accent, and pace of performance.

Excellent book

I loved the musical, and loved the book even more!! The narrator is an easy 10/10 and the book itself is excellently written. Would totally recommend!

This is an absolute masterpiece

This book, has changed my life. Throughout each of my last three summers, there has been one very long book. I have listened to. Two summers ago, I listened to Don Quixote, last summer, I listen to the Count of Monte Cristo, this summer, I listened to Les Misérables. The characters in this book, are full characters, the type of characters you learn from. Whether it’s Thenadier with his constant rascalism or Jean Valjean with his Christ likeness. And the themes in this book are so well brought out. Is it the narration that is superb and captivating? Or is it the translation? I think they’re both great. George Guidall is one of my favourite readers. He does Les Misérables very well. The translation is easy to understand as well to my knowledge it stays true to the story. The one problem I have with it, is its repetition of certain idioms, which is not in the original language.