I so agree. Poetic prose is just sublime. It feeds my soul. Love finding this stuff. I like to think if I eat enough of it, it can't help but creep into my veins. We are what we eat, right? Not just vegetables. Words, too.
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.
Yeah, it's really daunting. And it's been cut down a ton. The original was double the size. That's why I decided to grab some of the excerpts. Man, when he wasn't shouting at society (and rightfully so) he truly painted with words
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.
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.
Me, too. First time I watched the movie I cried almost the whole way through. lol. For me, it was movie first, book second. Glad you enjoyed this. It was a fun write.
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.
Thanks, Martin! Same, I really tried, but I couldn't with the lectures. And you're so right, all of that could have been folded into the story. I think that style was predominant probably until Hemingway came along.
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!
Isn't it funny how pieces of work brush up against our lives. In more than one way, I dare say. Hugo had some pretty vocal opinions on culture and how people treat each other. Seems to me that's a common theme in your writing, too. And thanks for the birthday wishes! Snowed in by a blizzard today, lol.
Yes, it's quite a comforting thing to recognize how these ideas have been with us from the beginning. I think Hugo might have had more of an influence on me than I've ever consciously recognized. It's nice to hear that you see those sentiments reflected in my writing. Enjoy the blizzard. My kids didn't even get to go sledding this year :(. Snow is beautiful if you don't have to go anywhere.
"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.
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.
I so hear you on remembrance speeches. Hard to get through them without emotion spilling over. I'm so glad you enjoyed this and I'd love to know what you think when you've read it.
"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. 😄
Thought you'd like to know, I used one of the Victor Hugo quotes (the one about genius) in my March newsletter. And included a link to your Substack newsletter. (My newsletter is over on Beehiiv, https://c3-newsletter-b4be59.beehiiv.com/subscribe if you want to sign up before March 1 to see it.) I'm not that big yet, but every person I can send your way helps, right?
I so agree. Poetic prose is just sublime. It feeds my soul. Love finding this stuff. I like to think if I eat enough of it, it can't help but creep into my veins. We are what we eat, right? Not just vegetables. Words, too.
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.
Yeah, it's really daunting. And it's been cut down a ton. The original was double the size. That's why I decided to grab some of the excerpts. Man, when he wasn't shouting at society (and rightfully so) he truly painted with words
Those quotes you curated are breathtaking.
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.
Aren't they beautiful? Man, he had a way of just painting with words.
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.
Me, too. First time I watched the movie I cried almost the whole way through. lol. For me, it was movie first, book second. Glad you enjoyed this. It was a fun write.
Good stuff. Beware the person who, in my presence, dares to declare otherwise.
lol. Thanks Benjamin
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.
Thanks, Martin! Same, I really tried, but I couldn't with the lectures. And you're so right, all of that could have been folded into the story. I think that style was predominant probably until Hemingway came along.
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!
Isn't it funny how pieces of work brush up against our lives. In more than one way, I dare say. Hugo had some pretty vocal opinions on culture and how people treat each other. Seems to me that's a common theme in your writing, too. And thanks for the birthday wishes! Snowed in by a blizzard today, lol.
Yes, it's quite a comforting thing to recognize how these ideas have been with us from the beginning. I think Hugo might have had more of an influence on me than I've ever consciously recognized. It's nice to hear that you see those sentiments reflected in my writing. Enjoy the blizzard. My kids didn't even get to go sledding this year :(. Snow is beautiful if you don't have to go anywhere.
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.
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.
I so hear you on remembrance speeches. Hard to get through them without emotion spilling over. I'm so glad you enjoyed this and I'd love to know what you think when you've read it.
Masterclass in what a caring writer can do with words.
Happy birthday Linda! Wishing you many more.
Right? His words (when not lecturing) are just magic. And thanks, Kathy. We're in a blizzard here so might be a real quiet birthday. lol
"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. 😄
You are such a delight, Jennifer. Yes indeed, maybe some of it snuck in after all. And I'm glad you enjoyed my words in addition to his. Thank you! 💖
Thought you'd like to know, I used one of the Victor Hugo quotes (the one about genius) in my March newsletter. And included a link to your Substack newsletter. (My newsletter is over on Beehiiv, https://c3-newsletter-b4be59.beehiiv.com/subscribe if you want to sign up before March 1 to see it.) I'm not that big yet, but every person I can send your way helps, right?
And also, Happy Birthday! 🎂
Thanks! I am snowed in. Blizzard and blowing snow. lol.
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.
What a nice thing to say Marianne. Thank you. And you're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed them.
Happy birthday, Linda <3
Thank you so much! :)
This makes we want to read the book
Happy, belated birthday!!
Thank you, Linda, for giving us this gift on your birthday. Les Miserables just moved to the top of my reading list.