As I mentioned last time, I've picked up a new translation of Les Misrables, the 2013 Donougher translation. A template for Hugo's novel was Les Mystres de Paris (The Mysteries of Paris), a serial novel of similar length which enjoyed great success on its appearance in 184243, by Eugne Sue. Les Misrables Translations I read Les Misrables about two years ago. The palace was truly a mansion fit for a lord. But the tale of redemption and love set during early 19th century France has been adapted numerous times for celluloid. I've always wanted to read this monster of a novel, but I've noticed there are a couple translations out there..so which one is the best, in your opinion? This edition contains a few errors of translation and more than a few moments in which I had to turn back to Hugos original. edited 6y. She also confesses to saving his life because she wanted to die before he did. . A somewhat abridged translation that many find appealing, but some sentences are shortened or simplified, some paragraphs eliminated, and Hugos provocative section on slang and the criminal world (IV, 7, 1-4) shunted off to an appendix. In less than a year, the bishop became treasurer of all works of charity and cashier to all those in distress. Thnardier then demands that Valjean pay a thousand crowns, but Valjean and Cosette leave. Translation is difficult for many reasons, including the fact that a good translation needs to be true to the original and able to stand on its own for a new audience, as explained in a 2008 NPR story. The collapse of the old society in France, the fall of his own family, the tragic scenes of 93,3 which were, perhaps, even more frightening for migrs4 watching them from afar with the magnifying power of dreaddid these things cause notions of renunciation and solitude to germinate in his mind? VICTOR HUGO'S novel "Les Miserables" is best known these days as a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. ponine, now ragged and emaciated, visits Marius at his apartment to beg for money. As he searches Valjean and Marius's pockets, he surreptitiously tears off a piece of Marius's coat so he can later find out his identity. When the police capture Valjean, Myriel pretends that he has given the silverware to Valjean and presses him to take two silver candlesticks as well, as if he had forgotten to take them. He also orders Azelma to punch out a window pane, which she does, resulting in cutting her hand (as Thnardier had hoped). No one would have dared bring it up, no one would have dared remember what it was.Monsieur Myriel arrived in Digne accompanied by an old spinster, Mademoiselle Baptistine, who was his sister and ten years his junior.They had only one servant, a woman the same age as Mademoiselle Baptistine, called Madame Magloire. Privacy Policy. ]8 As for me, Im for Caesar alone. And so on and so forth.Madame Magloire, on the other hand, was delighted.Hooray! she said to Mademoiselle Baptistine. While imprisoned in the Bagne of Toulon, Valjean, at great personal risk, rescues a sailor caught in the ship's rigging. Vidocq became the head of an undercover police unit and later founded France's first private detective agency. There, Javert tells Valjean he will wait for him in the street, but when Valjean scans the street from the landing window he finds Javert has gone. The fact that this 'digression' occupies such a large part of the text demands that it be read in the context of the 'overarching structure' discussed above. Moral Values in "Les Miserables." Moral values in the . ). There has obviously been a mistake. Denny is sometimes regarded as the best, most poetic translation, though it is abridged, as it removed about 200 pgs of (if i remember right) something like descriptions of sewer systems. By 1962, it made its English translation debut. Valjean escapes through the sewers, carrying Marius's body. Valjean rents new lodgings at Gorbeau House, where he and Cosette live happily. Monsieur Myriel Becomes Monseigneur BienvenuThe episcopal palace of Digne was next door to the hospital. Hapgood. One has to proceed on horseback. Marius recognizes Thnardier as the man who saved his father's life at Waterloo and is caught in a dilemma. Javert orders her to be quiet, and then reveals to her Valjean's real identity. Cookie Notice Entdecke Hugo, Victor : Les Miserables (Penguin Classics) Expertly Refurbished Product in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! It addresses England as well as Spain, Italy as well as France, Germany as well as Ireland, the republics that harbour slaves as well as empires that have serfs. Hugo devotes another 19 chapters (Volume II, Book I) to an account ofand a meditation on the place in history ofthe Battle of Waterloo, the battlefield which Hugo visited in 1861 and where he finished writing the novel. New York: Modern Library, 2009. Valjean manages to escape the scene before Javert sees him. Learn how to enable JavaScript on your browser, According to Wikipedia: "Les Misrables is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. There have been eight English translations, six of them are still read, and two are in the public domain. at the best online prices at eBay! She leads him to Valjean's and Cosette's house on Rue Plumet, and Marius watches the house for a few days. Marius tries to get permission from M. Gillenormand to marry Cosette. Isabel Hapgood, translator. Since languages are, of course, not directly equivalent, translation is as much an art as a skill, and translators have their individual ethos and goals in rendering a text in another language. We transcribe here the note written in his hand.household expenditureFor the small seminary 1500 livresMission congregation 100 livresFor the Lazarists of Montdidier 100 livresSeminary of foreign missions in Paris 200 livresCongregation of the Saint-Esprit 150 livresReligious institutions in the Holy Land 100 livresSocieties of maternal charity 300 livresFor the one at Arles 50 livresFor the betterment of prisons 400 livresFor the relief and release of prisoners 500 livresFor the release of fathers of families imprisoned for debt 1000 livresSalary supplement for poor schoolteachers in the diocese 2000 livresUpper Alps public granary 100 livresLadies Association of Digne, Manosque, and Sisteron,3 for the free education of poor girls 1500 livresFor the poor 6000 livresMy personal expenses 1000 livrestotal 15000 livresThe whole time Monsieur Myriel held the see of Digne, he made almost no change in this arrangementwhat he called, as we shall see, taking care of his household expenses.Mademoiselle Baptistine accepted the arrangement with absolute submission. He is still not certain if he wants to protect Marius or kill him. Monseigneur put the others first but hes wound up having to think of himself, finally. Valjean broods over Myriel's words. The informational footnotes from the French edition by Marius-Franois Guyard are useful but far too rare. If youd like more opinions, Goodreads readers have shared thoughts about their favorite translations. Thnardier comes back alone, and announces the address is a fake. One night, during one of Marius's visits with Cosette, the six men attempt to raid Valjean's and Cosette's house. [38][39] Translated the same year it appeared into several foreign languages, including Italian, Greek, and Portuguese, it proved popular not only in France, but across Europe and abroad. 1862 - Charles E. Wilbour 1862 - Lascelles Wraxall 1863 - Wilbour revised by A.F. His sister got an annuity of five hundred francs, which was enough for her personal expenses, living at the presbytery. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Modern Library Classics Ser. Sometimes called the brick because of its size and shape, this translation unfortunately contains no informational notes. I think he has done a very good job of bringing out the best in Les Miserables while still preserving everything that makes Hugo so wonderful. He was a good-looking young man, if on the short side, elegant, charming, and witty; he had given the best years of his life thus far to worldly pursuits and love affairs. Donougher's is the best translation I've read. I would also definitely recommend Donougher; Im currently half way through and its lovely. He tries to convince Marius that Valjean is actually a murderer, and presents the piece of coat he tore off as evidence. [17] Hugo's description of Valjean rescuing a sailor on the Orion drew almost word for word on a Baron La Roncire's letter describing such an incident. Meanwhile, the soldiers are closing in. Very dated in its style and too often showing a true lack of understanding of French (tu, for instance, is not thou), Hapgoods translation includes too many senseless renderings of Hugos French. There are many film adaptations of the book, and the stage and movie musical version, but the book is so much richer. Valjean tries to escape through a window but is subdued and tied up. Uh-oh, it looks like your Internet Explorer is out of date. Some have stated that the language he uses is less true to the French version, but I believe he captured the spirituality, and this other-worldly quality of the novel the best of all the translations. In addition, Donoughers detailed historical, cultural, and literary notes greatly help readers understand Hugos many references. I don't think I want to see the play/movie. Many readers enjoy Hapgoods translation. The cover looks exactly like this but it has "Complete and unabridged" printed on the cover as well.. Upton Sinclair described the novel as "one of the half-dozen greatest novels of the world", and remarked that Hugo set forth the purpose of Les Misrables in the Preface:[7]. [14], An incident Hugo witnessed in 1829 involved three strangers and a police officer. One of the students, Marius Pontmercy, has become alienated from his family (especially his royalist grandfather M. Gillenormand) because of his Bonapartist views. Heres three thousand livres for us. Then the Revolution came along, events spiraled, parliamentary families were wiped out, chased away, hunted, scattered. Spectators call for his release. Fantine is slowly dying from an unspecified disease. Monseigneur hasnt even claimed the money the dpartement owes him for the upkeep of his carriage in town and his rounds in the diocese. Les Misrables (Hapgood Translation) by Victor Hugo, Isabel Florence Hapgood (Translator) 4.4 (7) eBook (Illustrated Unabridged) $2.99 Instant Purchase Available on Compatible NOOK Devices and the free NOOK Apps. All these priests are the same. 4 3 Related Topics Book Reading, Writing, and Literature 3 comments Best Add a Comment mirainokirby 7 yr. ago [25]:273276, Victor Hugo drew his inspiration from everything he heard and saw, writing it down in his diary. In the old days, that was standard for bishops.Youre right, Madame Magloire! the bishop agreed. Some critics found the subject matter immoral, others complained of its excessive sentimentality, and others were disquieted by its apparent sympathy with the revolutionaries. Hugo wan't just a novelist, he was a poet and a playwright and Denny communicates that in his translation very well. Learn how to enable JavaScript on your browser. For this devout spinster, Myriel was both her brother and her bishop, the friend she grew up with and her superior according to ecclesiastical authority. . His wife died there of the chest infection shed had for ages. No, It's Not Actually the French Revolution: Les Misrables and History. Les mystres, like Les Misrables, viewed contemporary Paris from the point of view of the downtrodden and criminal underclasses who had been little represented in novels up to the time, and featured the interventions of detectives and the indifference of aristocrats. Yes there are English translations of Les Miserables. We dont know what to do.The thought did strike me.What can we do, Monseigneur? said the director. At night, Valjean runs off with Myriel's silverware. She also confesses to have obtained the letter the day before, originally not planning to give it to him, but decides to do so in fear he would be angry at her about it in the afterlife. He dies content and is buried beneath a blank slab in Pre Lachaise Cemetery. When Fantine arrives at Montfermeil, she leaves Cosette in the care of the Thnardiers, a corrupt innkeeper and his selfish, cruel wife. This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 05:22. Les Misrables translations. Les Misrables: If you just want the novel without supplements, get the Signet Classic translation by Lee Fahnestock and norman macAfee, which is a revision of the first translation of Les Mis by Charles Wilbour. Charles Myriel, married or no, had, they said, set tongues wagging. Everything about it was on the grand scale, the bishops apartments, the drawing rooms, the bedrooms, the main courtyard, which was huge, with covered arcades in the old Florentine style, and the gardens planted with magnificent trees. [26] He also informed himself by personal inspection of the Paris Conciergerie in 1846 and Waterloo in 1861, by gathering information on some industries, and on working-class people's wages and living standards. Victor Hugo, Les Misrables, 1862. Well do likewise whenever the occasion arises. Myriel tells Valjean that his soul has been purchased for God, and that he should use money from the silver candlesticks to make an honest man of himself. He, Mme. Marius immediately recognizes Cosette. Hugo imagined the life of the man in jail and the mother and daughter taken away from each other. I'm currently reading the Denny translation, and it is amazing. At the Luxembourg Garden, Marius falls in love with the now grown and beautiful Cosette. Wonderful annotations and footnotes. Melody I've read the Norman Denny translation and to me he truly grasped the poetry and drama of Victor Hugo's writing. Wraxall. or ask your favorite author a question with A masterpiece of literature. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. "Les Miserables" got a chance to become the most long-playing musical in history thanks to British producer Cameron McIntosh. Reading this edition, I did not need to turn back to Hugos original novel in order to see what the translator was trying to express. Les. He travels to attend the trial and there reveals his true identity. All the other students are killed. It's super lyrical and dramatic, I love every bit of it! Hearing this, they reluctantly retire. Quite simply, she loved him and revered him. Helpful. I liked the Julie Rose translation so far with plans to read them all. After he and Cosette leave, Marius asks ponine to retrieve her address for him. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. To start with, whats the good of them anyway? The thief also saw the mother and daughter playing with each other which would be an inspiration for Fantine and Cosette. I was wondering what translation or translations you've read of Les Mis and if you enjoyed them? The only problem I had with the Donougher was the decision to go with an english title. Valjean, feeling responsible because his factory turned her away, promises Fantine that he will bring Cosette to her. Lee Fahnestock/Norman McAfee. According to Wikipedia: "Les Misrables is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. Les Misrables - Other forms The novel inevitably found a home in various media. Beginning in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris, the novel follows the lives and interactions of several characters, focusing on the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption.". Valjean arrives at the barricade and immediately saves a man's life. Marius returns home and waits for Javert and the police to arrive. . like. Les Misrables has enjoyed tremendous popularity since it first hit the shelves in the 19th century. He also slipped personal anecdotes into the plot. Javert resists but Valjean prevails. Because this classic translation is based on Wilbours 1862 translation, which is largely faithful to Hugos work, it captures Hugos story fairly accurately, although with less style than Roses or Donoughers. WANT A NOOK? I read the Donougher translation and the Rose translation and preferred the Donougher. After Javert grabs Valjean, Valjean asks for three days to bring Cosette to Fantine, but Javert refuses. In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original French title. Les Misrables has been popularized through numerous adaptations for film, television and the stage, including a musical. [Things were not good with Rome at that point. "BBC News Bon anniversaire! As she lies dying on his knees, she confesses that she was the one who told him to go to the barricade, hoping they would die together. London: Everymans Library, 1998. Currently reading the Donougher. Wherever men go in ignorance or despair, wherever women sell themselves for bread, wherever children lack a book to learn from or a warm hearth, Les Misrables knocks at the door and says: "open up, I am here for you". Victor Hugo's classic novel of love & tragedy during the French Revolution is reborn in this fantastic new manga adaptation by Crystal S. Chan! As their wedding party winds through Paris during Mardi Gras festivities, Valjean is spotted by Thnardier, who then orders Azelma to follow him. This is the best translation of the novel available in English, as recommended by David Bellos in The Novel of the Century. It avoids the jarring modernism of Rose's translation and, as far as I can tell, remains true to the original. Six years pass and Valjean, using the alias Monsieur Madeleine, has become a wealthy factory owner and is appointed mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer. Thnardier orders Valjean to pay him 200,000 francs. PREFACE. lightweight paperback preferable for practical reasons. I've been reading Les Misrables (aka "The Brick") since the beginning of this month and I'm really enjoying it so far, 900 pages in. They feel like digressions, although they really are not. The officer was taking him to the coach. The soldier fires, fatally wounding the man, while missing Marius. 66 by Victor Hugo. The Rose translation lost some of the magnificent prose that Hugo has by trying to make it accessible and modern. The century that Waterloo was intended to arrest has pursued its march. The address is a fake, feeling responsible because his factory turned her away, hunted, scattered an... 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