Product Description
NOTE: This edition has a linked “Table of Contents” and has been beautifully formatted (searchable and interlinked) to work on your Amazon e-book reader.
Les Misérables (translated variously from French as The Miserable Ones, The Wretched, The Poor Ones, The Wretched Poor, The Victims) is a novel by French author Victor Hugo, and among the best-known novels of the 19th century.
It follows the lives and interactions of several French characters over a twenty year period in the early 19th century that includes the Napoleonic wars and subsequent decades. Examining the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean, who seeks to redeem himself, the novel also examines the impact of Valjean’s actions for the sake of social commentary.
English translation by Isabel F. Hapgood.
Queen Marmee @ 3:58 pm
This is our favorite “Radio Theatre” (we have them all). We often buy this for a family gift for friends. A great introduction to a wonderful book.
Lisa Krause @ 5:50 pm
This is an incredible abridged version of Les Miserable! Focus on the Family has out done itself by hitting all the key elements from the original story and by bring the story to life. This version left our family yearning to hear more. My children have listened to it over and over gleaming new insights about mercy, justice, and true love each time. Everyone home library should have such a moving story on its shelfs!
Michele @ 7:06 pm
This is my second dramatization by Focus on the Family Radio Theater, and again they have done a superb job. They use wonderful sound effects and first-rate voice actors.
That being said, I think that if I hadn’t already read the book (once in print and once via audio book) I would have been somewhat confused by the story. Les Miserables is an epic novel that weaves together numerous sub-plots involving many characters. To distill that into a 3-hour dramatization means that many things must be cut out. The story itself suffers as a result; for example, much about Fantine, which to me was the most heart-rending part of the entire novel, was left out of this dramatization entirely. I also think that having so much omitted makes it difficult for the first-time listener to follow the plot, know what is going on and know who all the characters are. For that I am giving this 4 stars rather than 5; it would have been better for the producers to include more elements of the story, even if it meant going into 4 CDs rather than just 3.
Actually, it has always surprised me that Les Miserables has been a choice for dramatization, or for a Broadway play. I would never have thought that such a serious novel with so many elements would lend itself to that type of interpretation. However, its popularity is testament to the fact that it must work on some level; perhaps someday I’ll be able to see the play myself.
My recommendation: if you have never read Les Miserables, then do that first before listening to this dramatization. If you’ve already read the book then enjoy this recording for the high-quality entertainment that it is.
J. Yoder @ 9:55 pm
This audio CD produced by Focus on the Family shares a powerful story of integrity and respect for humankind. Challenges the way you think about life and people who mistreat you.
B-House @ 12:53 am
This is an excellent audio dramatization of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. It’s very true to the theme of the book which are often missed in other mediums. It does very well in bringing out the emphasis of mercy and forgiveness. Very highly recommended.