Hi! Since I know there are some topics you might not be that interested in, I added time stamps in the description, so you can jump around 🫡 Also, the footage of day 47 should have been before my update at 38:32! sorry for the confusion
A FEW SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ OR FINISHED THE NOVEL! I just finished this novel today! It was the same translation by Christine Donougher. Thank you for your intelligent, engaging commentary. I subscribed to your channel. I am a professor of creative writing and a published novelist and never got around to reading this one until very recently; I did it in 79 days and like you, I looked at some of this experience as an accomplishment, like completing a marathon or something. I began it three days before you posted this. I am still digesting it and so far a lot of it is staying with me. I agreed with a lot of what you said, mainly regarding the digressions (I felt the same way about these as I did about the digressions in MOBY DICK; both novels might have been more successful if these facts were blended better into the narratives instead of having entire sections of nonfiction that meandered from the story), the flatness of the older Cosette (I agree she was much more interesting as a younger girl and could have had more individuality) and the interesting complexities of Javert whom I agree was an antagonist but not a villain; I was most moved, I think, by his plight. Regarding all the people that Jean Valjean saved (my favorite part of his adventure is him carrying Marius through the sewers), I see him almost as an superhero. I am also processing the many instances of the "Deus ex machina" when certain characters suddenly just happen to enter the narrative suddenly and conveniently...like Thénardier who comes to see Marius at the end, a conversation that relies so much on exposition. I also found that in many instances, Hugo goes on for pages describing one thing in as many ways as possible. I enjoyed this context and also thought it could have been more succinct. Although I was entertained by the final chapters, I wanted to feel more for the three characters at teh very end -- Jean Valjean, Marius and Cosette. As far as Hugo's writing -- via Donougher's translation -- I found the novel had lots of powerful sentences. Here is one of many that stopped me in my tracks: "To die is nothing; but it is terrible not to live." Okay, these are just some of my initial thoughts -- or maybe some will call them "digressions" -- I plan to spend more time revisiting what I read and I see that itself as a sign of a successful novel.
I understand how hard it is to persevere with a massive novel like this and I think in the end, you shouldn't have set yourself such a strict routine concerning the pace your read the book. When I read War and Peace, I stopped halfway through and took it up again about 6 months later. But I think you did wonderfully well, Ania, well done!
thank you! I do think my schedule was a bit too much (especially since during that time i was also reading other books) but at the same time having structure and being in the habit of reading everyday helped me get through it
A one hour vlog on a classic from you, it’s like the best thing! I enjoyed this so much. Your thoughts and effort are appreciated! Also, what a feat finishing that mammoth 🙌🏼 I am not ready to delve into that yet but for sure this blog makes me feel like it’s possible 😄
First of all I'm so proud of you for reading this book!!! It was so interesting to listen to you talking about and it gave me a different perspective on the book. Now I'm much more intrigued by the meta stuff of Hugo just writing his thoughts and musings and he sounds like such a character in general so that's cool! Will not be reading this GIANT any time soon but glad you've shared your whole journey 💕 Also when was that, last summer already feels like a different universe to me 😭
yeah, that book surprised me in a lot of ways! and thank you for saying you're proud of me 🥺 girl, editing those summer clips in the dead of winter was KILLING ME
Such a lovely vlog!😍 I was so excited to see it since I’ve always wanted to read this book, but at the same time I’ve always been scared to start it… so this came as an inspiration. Btw I have been watching your videos for a few years now and I love each one of them. Felt like saying this since I don’t comment too often☀️🫶🏼
This is one of my favorite books of all time, but it took me 6 months to get through it, I king of dnfd it three times around this period, so the fact it is a fav is so (???) haven't finished the video, but I will understand in case you dont like it. Just thank you for this video length.
Well, which humongous classical novel is next on the list for you?😄 In all seiousness, I'm genuinely wondering whether you'll pick up another Hugo again in the future? Or was it more of a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
![จบจนได้ ! | Black Myth: Wukong #007 [ตอนจบ?]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DSqvWndF0sw/mqdefault.jpg)
Hi! Since I know there are some topics you might not be that interested in, I added time stamps in the description, so you can jump around 🫡
Also, the footage of day 47 should have been before my update at 38:32! sorry for the confusion
I remember struggling through Les Mis a few years ago, and now I'm thoroughly enjoying The Count of Monte Cristo! Congrats on finishing the beast :)
A FEW SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ OR FINISHED THE NOVEL! I just finished this novel today! It was the same translation by Christine Donougher. Thank you for your intelligent, engaging commentary. I subscribed to your channel. I am a professor of creative writing and a published novelist and never got around to reading this one until very recently; I did it in 79 days and like you, I looked at some of this experience as an accomplishment, like completing a marathon or something. I began it three days before you posted this. I am still digesting it and so far a lot of it is staying with me. I agreed with a lot of what you said, mainly regarding the digressions (I felt the same way about these as I did about the digressions in MOBY DICK; both novels might have been more successful if these facts were blended better into the narratives instead of having entire sections of nonfiction that meandered from the story), the flatness of the older Cosette (I agree she was much more interesting as a younger girl and could have had more individuality) and the interesting complexities of Javert whom I agree was an antagonist but not a villain; I was most moved, I think, by his plight. Regarding all the people that Jean Valjean saved (my favorite part of his adventure is him carrying Marius through the sewers), I see him almost as an superhero. I am also processing the many instances of the "Deus ex machina" when certain characters suddenly just happen to enter the narrative suddenly and conveniently...like Thénardier who comes to see Marius at the end, a conversation that relies so much on exposition. I also found that in many instances, Hugo goes on for pages describing one thing in as many ways as possible. I enjoyed this context and also thought it could have been more succinct. Although I was entertained by the final chapters, I wanted to feel more for the three characters at teh very end -- Jean Valjean, Marius and Cosette. As far as Hugo's writing -- via Donougher's translation -- I found the novel had lots of powerful sentences. Here is one of many that stopped me in my tracks: "To die is nothing; but it is terrible not to live." Okay, these are just some of my initial thoughts -- or maybe some will call them "digressions" -- I plan to spend more time revisiting what I read and I see that itself as a sign of a successful novel.
I understand how hard it is to persevere with a massive novel like this and I think in the end, you shouldn't have set yourself such a strict routine concerning the pace your read the book. When I read War and Peace, I stopped halfway through and took it up again about 6 months later. But I think you did wonderfully well, Ania, well done!
thank you! I do think my schedule was a bit too much (especially since during that time i was also reading other books) but at the same time having structure and being in the habit of reading everyday helped me get through it
I found your channel yesterday and am already in love with it.
im proud of you for finishing it! ive been considering reading le mis for the longest and your video inspired me to read it !
yay, I’m glad! 🥰
A one hour vlog on a classic from you, it’s like the best thing! I enjoyed this so much. Your thoughts and effort are appreciated! Also, what a feat finishing that mammoth 🙌🏼 I am not ready to delve into that yet but for sure this blog makes me feel like it’s possible 😄
thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed it 🥺
the most human book ever written. a secular bible
First of all I'm so proud of you for reading this book!!! It was so interesting to listen to you talking about and it gave me a different perspective on the book. Now I'm much more intrigued by the meta stuff of Hugo just writing his thoughts and musings and he sounds like such a character in general so that's cool! Will not be reading this GIANT any time soon but glad you've shared your whole journey 💕
Also when was that, last summer already feels like a different universe to me 😭
yeah, that book surprised me in a lot of ways! and thank you for saying you're proud of me 🥺
girl, editing those summer clips in the dead of winter was KILLING ME
Such a lovely vlog!😍 I was so excited to see it since I’ve always wanted to read this book, but at the same time I’ve always been scared to start it… so this came as an inspiration. Btw I have been watching your videos for a few years now and I love each one of them. Felt like saying this since I don’t comment too often☀️🫶🏼
truly, thank you so much for you kind words and being a long time subscriber. those kind of comments keep me going ❤️
you’re a trooper LMAO the size of that book is far too intimidating for me 😭
still can’t believe i read it, it’s like a fever dream 😭
Wow. I'm glad you finished the book . . . and the video.
I’m glad you posted this vlog, I had a lot of fun watching it. You kinda made me wanna reread Les Miserables which is crazy to me lol
This is one of my favorite books of all time, but it took me 6 months to get through it, I king of dnfd it three times around this period, so the fact it is a fav is so (???)
haven't finished the video, but I will understand in case you dont like it. Just thank you for this video length.
I did end up enjoying it quite a lot! This is a book that’s worth the struggle 🥰
Well, which humongous classical novel is next on the list for you?😄 In all seiousness, I'm genuinely wondering whether you'll pick up another Hugo again in the future? Or was it more of a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
I'm not sure myself! maybe in the far future I might pick up something by Hugo, but for now I'm good haha
I loved this vlog! Thank you for doing your public service because I now feel like I've read this book without actually having read it! 😄
haha glad to be of service!
over 1000 pages? i could never.