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))

Best novel ever!

it is long, but I prefer having the whole story. you understand the characters and the time they were living in better. A timeless masterpiece.

Amazing

The narrator was superb. The text fascinating. But above all else, the translator was beyond words.

Classic amongst classics

Any additional comments?

Epic story with fantastic narration. I loved every minute of this book. I was sad when it finished. This is a classic that every lover of classics must read.

Wow, What a book!

I can't believe I finished it. It seemed like such a big task when I started, now I am sad it is done. It is an oddly meander story, but one well worth the time!

Les Miserables, the greatest classic of all time!

Would you listen to Les Misérables: Translated by Julie Rose again? Why?

Julie Rose's translation of Les Mis is inspiring!

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

The purchase of Jean Val Jean's soul by the Bishop with his silver candlesticks; and, the revelation of what Jean Val Jean did for Marius and Cosette at the very end of the book is inspiring.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

George Guidall did a great job of portraying the various characters throughout the book.

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

Les Miserable's, an epic story of intense joy, pain, happiness, sadness, justice, mercy - - - LOVE!

Very well done!

Any additional comments?

The Julie Rose translation is the best English version of this all-time classic. Other translations are more precise, but this one embodies the spirit of the original much better. The prosidy between Hugo's words and Guidall's tone is remarkable.

Wonderful, but drags with the history!

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

Absolutely. Wonderful character development, provoking dialogue, intriguing ideas... A true classic.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Either Jean Valjean or Bishop Myrial. Valjean is very dynamic. His struggle to find himself and become either good or evil mirrors a lot of what goes on in society, and puts on display what astonshing changes can overcome a man who is given a bit of good luck and compassion.

Bishop Myrial is also an interesting character, although a bit more 1 dimensional. He is nearly the definition of good and selfless, and listening to his story compels the listener to be more charitable in their own lives.

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I haven't read the book, but Guidall is a fantasy reader. His passion reading the dialogue, changing tone slightly so as to easily let the reader know who is speaking, and his pronunciation of the French words draws you into a different world.

There's also a lot of history and background information that I surely wouldn't have been able to read through if it hadn't been read to me. Guidall puts good effort into keeping the less exciting sections bearable.

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

60+ hours? No.

Any additional comments?

The book itself does have a lot of sections that move incredibly slow, discussing Water Loo or the whole history of the convent, or some other detail that isn't at all necessary to what is otherwise a very captivating plot. Many times I've been frustrated since I wanted to hear more on what happened to the characters and had to listen to literally hours of history. But some of the history is at least appreciated, as it gives this book a wonderful depth to fully immerse oneself into.

In short, a bit long, but definitely worth it all the while!!

The book, of course, but the narrator!!!!

It's such an odd thing to listen to a book this long. It took weeks! But I could hardly wait to get back to it each day for the few minutes I had. George Guidall is always a stunning narrator, but I am used to hearing him deliver more-restrained material. Here he manages the breathless, slightly soggy, romance as well as the descriptions of the Paris sewer system, and animates each major character (and quite a few of the minor ones) with a recognizable voice. The translation, as well, reads stunningly well, with switches from high to low register, comedy and tragedy, and everything in between. Here's hoping Ms. Rose takes on the Hunchback of Notre Dame next!

Great book!

This book is a life changer. It makes me want to be a better person.

Beautiful Story; Wonderful Reader; Bad Paper

Who can contest Victor Hugo as being anything but an exceptional and gifted writer? This story is a monument to his genius. The reader did an excellent job of portraying the emotion and characters. Well done! However, at the end there is an attached "paper" on Hugo and the book that was entirely out of place and completely ruined the awe of Hugo's story and concluding lines. All 60 hours were an amazing journey which then ended in 30 minutes of some man's views of the whole thing. Story--brilliant. Ending--detrimental.