A slog but well worth it.

So I finally finished Les Miserables. It took me five months to listen to the whole thing, a 60-hour audio book. There were several points where I nearly gave up, and one where I actually announced on Facebook that I had given up. But I went back to it and I'm ever so glad that I did.

Let me start by saying that this is a fantastic book. There were times when I was slogging through some of the digressions that I wondered just how this could possibly have been considered a classic. But now I know.

At first, I sensed a similarity with Crime & Punishment, which just happens to have been published in the same decade as Les Miserables, as indeed was War & Peace, which I have also read. The part where Jean Valjean, as Monsieur Madeleine, is fighting with his conscience about going to rescue the man who has been arrested as Jean Valjean and then his journey there, fraught with difficulty.

It's been interesting to read some of the reviews on Goodreads after finishing the book. They are almost all five stars and there are a few instances where readers have read the abridged version and then gone back to read the unabridged and enjoyed it ever so much more. As I was listening to it, there were many occasions when I wished I had downloaded the abridged version instead. I mean come on, pages and pages of description about the Paris sewers? The whole Waterloo bit? I honestly struggled through these parts. I wonder if it would have been easier to read than to listen to.

Anyway, I listened to the last 8 hours or so in a couple of days, at first because I just wanted it finished and out of the way, but then because it was just so good that I didn't want to stop. I had guessed how the novel would end, but that didn't spoil the ending at all. It was so well written that I was left with a feeling of elation that has lasted through to the following day as I write this.

Suffice it to say that I am very glad that I persevered with this and got to the end. I actually would quite

19 people found this helpful

Wait for a better narrator

Where does Les Miserables rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Magnificent as a work of literature - the language, detail and scope are breath-taking - but made a real test of listening endurance by the narration.

What did you like best about this story?

I constantly marvelled at Hugo's breadth and depth of knowledge. I know some listeners have complained about the "asides" lasting an hour, and I confess my own heart sank at times when I realised Hugo was going off at a tangent, but I couldn't help but be amazed at how much he KNOWS about everything and the way in which he covers his subjects from every angle. What an incredible mind. I was fascinated by the data on the French sewer system! I should also say that I am a professional translator and I was constantly stunned by the quality of this translation - so poetic and flowing and such a wealth of rich vocabulary.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Yes, it's a marathon and of course I respect him for his staying power, but the narrator at times drove me mad. He reads with a cynical or (as others have commented) bored tone, and has an irritating habit of letting his voice go UP at the end of a sentence so it sounds like a question ("Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo?"). I really recommend other listeners to wait until a better reading is released. It's only because the book is so good that I stuck with it. I will definitely avoid all other readings by this narrator.

Any additional comments?

I am giving this this 2 stars overall purely because of the narrator.

8 people found this helpful

Epic journey through life.

This audiobook is very long - but not at all tedious!
The narratrive is fast paced, well read and a pleasure to listen to.
This epic page turner really did have me enthralled and rooting for the antihero of this classic tale.
Highly recommended!

15 people found this helpful

It's what your ears have been waiting for.....

At over 66 hours of listening, this is a lot of book for one credit. I was taking my 80 year old father to see the live show in London and wanted to get a handle on the story before we went - I was blown away by it - a huge story of an immense character, of love, loss, sacrifice, intrigue - you name it this book has it. I wasn't sure of the narrator at first, but soon grew to love his voice and it suited the story so well. I can't rate this book highly enough - but be prepared to have to put your life on hold while you immerse yourself in this truly astonishing novel.

5 people found this helpful

Couldn't get on with the reader - a great shame

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I'm sure there are better readings and adaptations of this book for audio - the novel is huge, sprawling and endlessly detailed, and requires a storyteller of real talent to bring it to life. The performer reading this version veers between sounding bored or like a grotesque pastiche. Utterly ruins the narrative and made me lose any sympathy or empathy with the characters featured.

What did you like best about this story?

I've read this book and hoped that hearing a reading would add to my understanding. I don't think that it did. What I like about the story is the way that it immerses you completely in what France was like at the time - this reading, however, jolts you out of any such escapism with a lacklustre approach and bizarre delivery.

What didn’t you like about Frederick Davidson’s performance?

The story was just badly told. It sounded bored at points, at others like he was giving a very self serving performance that bordered on pastiche. It was distracting and made me cringe.

Could you see Les Miserables being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

Oh sweetie, there's already been quite a few adaptations of this story. It's been a musical for years.

Any additional comments?

Find another performer to do this story justice. Tempted to ask for my money back.

4 people found this helpful

What a very pleasant surprise...

I admit I was sceptical about Frederick Davidson's voice and style. In fact, I only bought this book because it was the only available unabridged version, and I am so glad I did. The book itself, this timeless masterpiece, hardly needs recommendation or introduction. The wonderful surprise, for me, was the delightful, intelligent, vivid and character-faithful narration of Davidson. Thanks Audible!

9 people found this helpful

Great story but a delivery that makes me miserable

Would you try another book written by Victor Hugo or narrated by Frederick Davidson?

Victor Hugo remains one of the greatest masters of European literature. Unfortunately, I really struggled to get through Davidson's awful style of delivery.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The character of Javert and Valjean, and the way they circle each other over the decades, is as compelling as ever.

How could the performance have been better?

Davidson wheezes and rasps – every inhalation is picked up. He has a habit of finishing sentences as if he is only pausing, full stops replaced by commas,

When he continues at a different scene, it's quite, quite jarring and very annoying.

Was Les Miserables worth the listening time?

It's absolutely worth sticking with for the story. But you'll want to inflict every form of physical violence imaginable on the narrator.

8 people found this helpful

Boring Narrator

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I remember reading this book many years ago and thoroughly enjoying at the time and had always intended revisiting. Having long journeys to work I thought it would be a quick win to listen to. I am so disappointed as I find the narration so boring despite restarting several times. Have decided to give it a miss for now.

I notice there are several versions of this available and if anyone can recommend a good narrator it would be much appreciated.

Has Les Miserables put you off other books in this genre?

No

What didn’t you like about Frederick Davidson’s performance?

Just boring

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

2 people found this helpful

Misleading audio sample

I didn't like the audio sample but it was the only unabridged version and lots of reviews said they didn't like the audio sample but enjoyed the book. I have to say I agree. It's a wonderful book and wonderfully read. I'm going to miss it when I finish it!

7 people found this helpful

Think you know the story? Think again.

Would you listen to Les Miserables again? Why?

Yes, it is long. Yes, you know the basic plot. Yes, you've seen it on stage and on screen. But there is so much more to the book than to the musical! The stage production is great, but it only scratches the surface. There is so much thinking behind each character. Their reflections and actions are so rich, complex and profound. You can always take something different if you listen again. I have lost count of how many times I have listened to Jean Valjan arguing with himself whether or not to turn himself in. It is a fantastic story which manages to belong and represent its time so well without ever ceasing to be relevant. Victor Hugo's preface about why books like this are needed says it all. For as long as there is injustice and miserable lives, it will be worth listening, reading or watching this mastere piece again.

1 person found this helpful