vivdunstan

Continuing my reread, and going to discuss this with some ( big spoilers )

So a rather predictable plot, but nevertheless a good read with some interesting details.

This is a book about Victor Hugo's book Les Miserables, and its writing, structure, publishing, reception, and legacy. Note I couldn't fit the author's full name into the subject field of this review. It's written by David Bellos, Professor of French Literature at Princeton University.

It is a book that is probably best read by those who have either read the original Hugo novel already, or know the musical version really well (or both). Because it is extremely spoilery re the novel's plot. I also felt it had a bit too much about French political history in places, and it dragged sometimes.

However overall it was a strong read, rating 4/5 stars. As well as much about the structure of the novel and its hidden meanings (e.g. words for currency, Hugo's use of slang, and so much more) I found the publishing history an incredible read. Much of the novel was written by Hugo in exile in Guernsey. And so when it came to be published, including proofed and typeset, this was done via mail boat between Brussels and Guernsey. Which was fraught in so many ways, especially in the time scale the publisher was pushing towards. Hugo's domestic setup was also curious. He lived with his wife, daughter and sometimes sons. But had also established his long-term mistress in a neighbouring house beyond the end of his garden. And he would dine with her each day. His mistress was also the main person taking on the tax of writing out in neat form his finished manuscripts. A task she shared with Hugo's wife's sister. Some curious interpersonal relationships!

I would personally have liked more reflections on the after legacy of the novel, not least more on the musical which spread the story's reach even further. This book wraps up too quickly. But as effectively the biography of the life of a novel, including its production, it was strong.

I don't listen to many audiobooks now. I mean books read by a narrator - not audio plays like most Big Finish Doctor Who audios. I'm too heavily asleep for much of the time, and can find them difficult to keep up with. But I've just treated myself to a Big Finish audio novel coming out very soon, that combines the Third and Fourth Doctors, with their Sarah Janes. It's read by Jon Culshaw who from the trailer sounds like he's doing a fine job of the two Doctors. His Sarahs aren't so good, to be expected. But I think I will enjoy it a lot. At 535 minutes duration it will take me a very long time to get through it all though!

Just finished my 42nd book of 2023, the Manga Classics version of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Much to like, but ultimately it condenses the enormous novel down too much to fit into a much shorter manga format. An admirable attempt, but the story and characters deserve more room to flourish. 3/5

Wow! Just learned about 1967 book "The Technicolor Time Machine" by Harry Harrison. As one bibliographer writes: ''Movie producers get hold of a time machine, and decide to shoot a Viking epic on location - in the 11th century AD. A thoroughly madcap romp in its author's best vein''. Crikey! Found it through my usual pulp books supplier. But I'd need to read it in ebook for disability reasons. And it is on the Kindle for £3.99 from the Gateway Essentials range. Buying!

Just hurtled through the last 300 pages of Wheel of Time book 6 Lord of Chaos in just a day or so. Exciting stuff! Something big happened that I honestly expected to happen sooner. And a big dramatic ending. Looking forward to the rest of the series with 8 main books left to read. Relieved to have got past the recent splurge of 1000-page long novels in the series, which honestly felt like a bit much length wise in a 14-book series.

Here are my main current reads and expected to be for the next few weeks. I’m finishing off one novel, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, and shortly starting Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries for my book club. Also in pure fiction I’m reading the manga version of The Count of Monte Cristo. Which does have quite a challenge storytelling wise to condense that plot down. It’s interesting to see some of the choices they’ve made. In fictional non fiction I’m reading the large print Tolkien book The Fall of Numenor, and the Obverse Books Black Archive book about the recentish Flux series of Doctor Who stories. And finally I’m still reading and enjoying John Green’s The Anthropocene Reviewed.

Just did my annual blog post looking back on a year of reading, 2022 version

https://vivsacademicblog.wordpress.com/2022/12/27/looking-back-on-a-year-of-reading-2022-edition/

Finished another fiction read, my 65th book of 2022. Next up is book 5 in The Wheel of Time epic fantasy series by Robert Jordan, The Fires of Heaven. I may be some time with this. My Kindle is estimating almost 20 hours of reading time!

Here’s a collage of the novels I’ve been reading very recently. Just finished Castle Skull (1931) by John Dickson Carr. Still reading the forgotten fantasy Lud In The Mist (1926) by Hope Mirrlees. Newly reading book 4 of the Wheel of Time, The Shadow Rising (1992) by Robert Jordan.

The first of these I discovered by chance while browsing the British Library fiction reprints, and immediately bought for my Kindle and started reading the same night. Lud In The Mist has been on my radar for years, having heard Neil Gaiman praise it in person several times. Finally got to it! And well, yes, more Wheel of Time. Worryingly my Kindle estimates it will take me 22 hours to read that latest one!