"His whole life, in one short sentence. Then he gently put his pen down. And was, no more." You painted these words on my heart, and made me cry. Beautiful.
And I admit, even though I read the book, I skimmed an awful lot of the diatribes. "Rich people heartless, society unjust, all people prejudiced....got it, move on." Although now I work to design better societies, so maybe some of it snuck in after all. 😄
What an absolute delight to my life today! Yesterday I was a keynote family speaker at our Hospice Remembrance program. How I wish I'd had these amazing quotes. I "made do" with Christopher Robbin and Winnie the Pooh, and had trouble getting through those. I would have liked that next to last quote, but I wouldn't have been able to say it without crying. It's with me today and sums up my feelings so perfectly. I'm picking up a copy. After viewing the Don Quixote sculpture in Madrid I read the book. The story here is that's was required for summer reading before the start of freshman year. I couldn't do it. I was convinced I was going to fail college. I was too young. I am so ready for Hugo.
"Les Miserables" is being serialized chapter by chapter on Substack right now, so I have had a chance to observe Hugo in action. It's clear that his almost encyclopedic knowledge of French society has resonated strongly with people, and it helped develop the realist school of fiction that his fellow Frenchman Emile Zola would base his own career upon.
And the ex-con Eugene Vidocq had a history role in French society as well. He would become a noted detective and policeman, helping to establish French's national police, the Surete, and write a colorful autobiogaphy about his experience.
When I was around 8, I turned on the television and saw the beginning of a black and white movie. I was going to turn it off, but for some reason I made myself watch. Imagine my surprise when I was quickly captivated by the story of a man who was unfairly jailed for stealing a loaf of bread. In college, I was frustrated that we didn't read enough of the classics, so I elected to do my senior project on Les Miserables. Most recently, I've been writing a fantasy book for my girls that grew out of the letters they left for the tooth fairy (and her eloquent answers). We're up to 5 volumes now. The books follow the adventures of a tooth fairy (one of many) named Cossette. So, this book keeps washing up against my life :) Oh, and happy birthday!
Happy birthday Linda and thanks for sharing. I’m not afraid of long reads and have tried Les Mis but the endless lectures made it too much of a trudge. Hugo did not know what modern writers know, that you can portray these things through the story without the preaching. But that was the style of the times.
I love love love Les Mis. I read it after seeing it on Broadway. The story is life-changing although I struggle to say how. Thank you for reminding me about Victor Hugo’s genius at seeing the invisible.
This was an excellent introduction to Les miserables not merely for the content but for the appreciative description of the writing. It almost made me want to read the nearly three thousand pages! Your excerpts were mouth watering.
What a glorious portrait and tribute to your beloved VH Linda! 👏 Your words soar along with his.
Hugo. Dickens. Jesus. Seeing the divine in each person and grieving for their suffering and advocating for them. We need more of that human phenotype for sure these days.
Thanks for your advocating for the "poetic" in prose. It is the special sublime element that enlivens our hearts as readers.
Having been too daunted by the sheer heft of Les Misérables — although the musical version is my very favorite, and the movies have been heart-rending — I am grateful to you for this post. "Stars shone though his soul" — gasp.
Happy birthday, Linda <3
How lucky are we who follow you to get this gift on YOUR birthday! I am in awe of these gorgeous quotes. Thank you for this.
"His whole life, in one short sentence. Then he gently put his pen down. And was, no more." You painted these words on my heart, and made me cry. Beautiful.
And I admit, even though I read the book, I skimmed an awful lot of the diatribes. "Rich people heartless, society unjust, all people prejudiced....got it, move on." Although now I work to design better societies, so maybe some of it snuck in after all. 😄
Masterclass in what a caring writer can do with words.
Happy birthday Linda! Wishing you many more.
What an absolute delight to my life today! Yesterday I was a keynote family speaker at our Hospice Remembrance program. How I wish I'd had these amazing quotes. I "made do" with Christopher Robbin and Winnie the Pooh, and had trouble getting through those. I would have liked that next to last quote, but I wouldn't have been able to say it without crying. It's with me today and sums up my feelings so perfectly. I'm picking up a copy. After viewing the Don Quixote sculpture in Madrid I read the book. The story here is that's was required for summer reading before the start of freshman year. I couldn't do it. I was convinced I was going to fail college. I was too young. I am so ready for Hugo.
Happy Birthday to you and M. Hugo.
"Les Miserables" is being serialized chapter by chapter on Substack right now, so I have had a chance to observe Hugo in action. It's clear that his almost encyclopedic knowledge of French society has resonated strongly with people, and it helped develop the realist school of fiction that his fellow Frenchman Emile Zola would base his own career upon.
And the ex-con Eugene Vidocq had a history role in French society as well. He would become a noted detective and policeman, helping to establish French's national police, the Surete, and write a colorful autobiogaphy about his experience.
When I was around 8, I turned on the television and saw the beginning of a black and white movie. I was going to turn it off, but for some reason I made myself watch. Imagine my surprise when I was quickly captivated by the story of a man who was unfairly jailed for stealing a loaf of bread. In college, I was frustrated that we didn't read enough of the classics, so I elected to do my senior project on Les Miserables. Most recently, I've been writing a fantasy book for my girls that grew out of the letters they left for the tooth fairy (and her eloquent answers). We're up to 5 volumes now. The books follow the adventures of a tooth fairy (one of many) named Cossette. So, this book keeps washing up against my life :) Oh, and happy birthday!
Happy birthday Linda and thanks for sharing. I’m not afraid of long reads and have tried Les Mis but the endless lectures made it too much of a trudge. Hugo did not know what modern writers know, that you can portray these things through the story without the preaching. But that was the style of the times.
Good stuff. Beware the person who, in my presence, dares to declare otherwise.
I love love love Les Mis. I read it after seeing it on Broadway. The story is life-changing although I struggle to say how. Thank you for reminding me about Victor Hugo’s genius at seeing the invisible.
This was an excellent introduction to Les miserables not merely for the content but for the appreciative description of the writing. It almost made me want to read the nearly three thousand pages! Your excerpts were mouth watering.
What a glorious portrait and tribute to your beloved VH Linda! 👏 Your words soar along with his.
Hugo. Dickens. Jesus. Seeing the divine in each person and grieving for their suffering and advocating for them. We need more of that human phenotype for sure these days.
Thanks for your advocating for the "poetic" in prose. It is the special sublime element that enlivens our hearts as readers.
Having been too daunted by the sheer heft of Les Misérables — although the musical version is my very favorite, and the movies have been heart-rending — I am grateful to you for this post. "Stars shone though his soul" — gasp.
Thank you, Linda, for giving us this gift on your birthday. Les Miserables just moved to the top of my reading list.
Happy, belated birthday!!
This makes we want to read the book