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))

It is the best of books, it is the worst of books

Les Miserables is more of a quest than a book. It is a huge book that meanders along taking many long detours but eventually arriving at its destination. You must be prepared for a long journey, don't be the child who continually asks "are we there yet?"

The narrative of this journey follows Jean Valjean an ex-convict who finds redemption, love, and seeks to do good. Along the way we get long discourses on slang, politics, the street urchins of Paris, the sewers of Paris, and the Battle of Waterloo to name a few (there are many long detours). There are also many subplots and stories, such as the Bishop of Digne which opens the book. There are many long detours, many.

Is the book worth the time? I think it is, it is a wonderful story and the long detours add much to the experience. It is named Les Miserables for the portrait of the poor that it gives, but it does not idolize them, it shows the good and the bad, the weak and the strong. It should encourage you do go out and help some one.

This particular translation is advertised as being more earthy and closer to the French of Hugo than the more staid traditional translations. It is more earthy, more sprightly and not academic, but not knowing French I can't say if it is actually closer to Hugo or not. Some translation choices seem odd to me (clink for jail) but once you get into the flow of the story it works.

The narrator is one of the best in the business and he does a commendable job here.

So, should you read this book? I think so, I highly recommend it.

Would I read it again? Yes I will, in a while, when I'm ready for a long, long journey.

Wow!

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

The reader is one of my favorite. Although Hugo can be exceptionally wordy, the reader's voice, inflections and style make it easy to listen, enjoy and just absorb the intent of what the author is communicating.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Jean Valjean meets Cosette in the woods and rescues her from the Thenardier's.

Any additional comments?

This story cannot be abridged and still possess the same power. By today's standards, Hugo can be difficult to read as he is very wordy, and the historical narrative is long and detailed. However, it is integral to understanding the significance of why the characters were motivated to do what they did. The story, the characters - everything about this book is phenomenal. Those who are diligent and listen to the entire story will reap the rewards. Also, the narrator must be given major credit for making the experience so enjoyable. This is the best reading of this great tale out there.

I think this book changed my life

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

This was an amazing book. I usually prefer casual books, that don't require much thought, but are rather read for entertainment purposes. I don't know why exactly I picked this book, other than the fact that I loved the narrator, George Guidall's work on other books and the book was on sale when I purchased it. I won't spoil anyone with plot details, but the book made me a better person. Seeing the change in some of the main characters caused me to be a more charitable person and since reading this book I have started to make plans to bring joy to people's life this Christmas (2012). I praise God for Victor Hugo and the talent that was bestowed upon him. Everything about this book was great. I am a much better person after listening to this recording.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jean Valjean was my favorite character but I related more to Marius

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

Guillermond (not sure how to spell it, but the old grandpa of Marius)

Wonderful!

Would you consider the audio edition of Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose to be better than the print version?

I never read the unabridged print version and was somewhat taken by how much detail Hugo put into the unabridged version. I have to say I did fast forward several times through heavy historical politics that I couldn't understand anyway.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jean Valjean, but had to search for his character and his story among lots of other detail that didn't interest me (probably because I couldn't understand it).

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

I enjoy his deep slow and rich voice.

Any additional comments?

Next time I will look for another version...

Great Way to Read a Long Involved Book

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

Great narrator; I have listened to other books he read. I loved the Les Miserables movie but I wanted to read the book, too. With 60 hours of narration, this was the ideal way to read the book while driving, housework, etc. This was my first Audible book and my first review.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

Jon val Jon (spelling probably incorrect!)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No; 60 hours long.

Life changing

I have never read a book, nor heard a story, besides Christ’s alone, more powerful and compelling than this one. I will never again find a more complete painting of the human condition, nor a gem more faceted than the characters he created. I am forever changed. I have grown more than I can understand. I am a different person and I am all the better for it. I beg you, I implore you take the time to listen, to read with open ears. It will be a life changing 64hrs.

Holy unabridged.

I thought I had read the unabridged version previously. Apparently I had not. The actual meat of the story is beautiful. The elaborate discussion of the workings of the Paris sewer system is not. I did feel the narrator did a good job with different voices. He was able to differentiate between the upper and lower class voices.

Classic Novel...at times tedious and slow

Enjoyed the main plot immensely, sometimes the author would spend many tedious chapters on background history which was not really necessary. Hugo spent about 10 Chapters on the history of Waterloo, explaining the sewers of Paris, or time on French politics. I always enjoyed seeing how much the Broadway version or Hollywood movies differ from the book and as usual there is quite a difference. I have to say I enjoyed The Count of Monte Cristo more than this book.

Excellent Narration! So Many Insights!

I'm super picky when it comes to narrators, finding most performances to either fall flat or be melodramatic. George Guidall gave an excellent PERFORMANCE! He didn't just narrate. I didn't feel like I was listening to a soap opera either. Guidall gave the caliber of performance deserved by such a great work!

A fan of the musical, I've always wanted to read the book. Having now "read" it, the musical has SO much more meaning. I can't count the number of times I had to stop the book in order to contemplate what I had just "read"!

To be honest, I had always assumed that the novel was the candle that lit the torch that is the musical. I was pleased to realize that it was the torch of the novel that sparked the candle of the musical.

Incredible read/listen!

Modern Translation Of A Time-Honored Classic

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

I loved the more modern translation of this timeless classic by Victor Hugo. It is the most listenable reading of a classic I have listened to yet.

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

The Romance between Cosette and Marius.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

Javert. Hands down!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was too long for that.

Any additional comments?

I probably would have enjoyed this book even better if it was not for the diatribes and digressions that Hugo went into in parts of the novel. It is kind of like taking a sponge and wringing all the liquid out of it. Otherwise, I enjoyed this classic immensely. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the classics. Once again, a masterful performance by George Guidall. It is always a joy to have a good translator as well as a good reader for a work such as this.