Longest book I've ever read - Day 3 of the 30 day book challenge
30 Day book challenger: Day 3 - Longest book I've ever read
Normally when people are asked what is the longest book they've ever read, the page number is about 500 - 600 pages. The longest book I've ever read is just a bit longer than this...In my copy, it has a grand total of 1232 pages. The book? The ever wonderful Les Miserables.
While I personally like reading books which have a greater number of pages, I think that Les Miserables could have been significantly shorter is parts were cut out that had no relevance to the actual story. The first 25 pages are just about the bishop's backstory who we meet near the beginning. The author himself has even put a note at the beginning of this part to say it has no relevance but it has been included anyway.
Although the book tells a wonderful story of love, bravery and sacrifice, there are many parts which are not necessary. There are lengthy amount of pages dedicated to describing who is currently in power, the changes they made, why they got power and how. Admittedly although this provides a good context for the book and a small amount of context is always good, the amount provided is a bit too much in my opinion.
Another thing that strikes me in the book is the wonderful chapter titles. The book is separated into different parts for each character - such as Fantine, Marius, Cosette, Jean Valjean etc...and within these parts there are smaller chapters with titles such as 'Marius, While seeking a girl in a bonnet, encounters a man in a cap'. I think the reason that they appeal to me so much is because they're so straight forward - there are no puns, play on words or any form of riddles. What you see is what you get.
The strong relationships that can be built between the characters and the reader is something which really impressed me within the writing. We aren't just introduced to them then thrown into the heart of the problems as is shown in the musical. With Fantine for example, we meet her prior to the birth of Cosette. We meet the man who got her pregnant (unknowingly) who then just left her one summer. We then see her struggle with her child and money, before giving her child to the Thenardiers and then Fantine's decrease into poverty and into the character we know from the show. We see her slowly decrease from what a wonderful person that she used to be; it adds so much more depth to her character and makes her feel more realistic.
Overall I think the book Les Miserables is a wonderful read and a great eye opener. If you are a fan of the musical, then this is a good book to read as it adds context to the songs you have heard. If you are wary of the musical, this may change your mind and make you realise the show isn't just a bunch of good looking people sining about love. No matter who you are, I would certainly recommend this book, although bear in mind you will need plenty of time to read it as it is the longest book I have ever read and seen.
Normally when people are asked what is the longest book they've ever read, the page number is about 500 - 600 pages. The longest book I've ever read is just a bit longer than this...In my copy, it has a grand total of 1232 pages. The book? The ever wonderful Les Miserables.
While I personally like reading books which have a greater number of pages, I think that Les Miserables could have been significantly shorter is parts were cut out that had no relevance to the actual story. The first 25 pages are just about the bishop's backstory who we meet near the beginning. The author himself has even put a note at the beginning of this part to say it has no relevance but it has been included anyway.Although the book tells a wonderful story of love, bravery and sacrifice, there are many parts which are not necessary. There are lengthy amount of pages dedicated to describing who is currently in power, the changes they made, why they got power and how. Admittedly although this provides a good context for the book and a small amount of context is always good, the amount provided is a bit too much in my opinion.
Another thing that strikes me in the book is the wonderful chapter titles. The book is separated into different parts for each character - such as Fantine, Marius, Cosette, Jean Valjean etc...and within these parts there are smaller chapters with titles such as 'Marius, While seeking a girl in a bonnet, encounters a man in a cap'. I think the reason that they appeal to me so much is because they're so straight forward - there are no puns, play on words or any form of riddles. What you see is what you get.
The strong relationships that can be built between the characters and the reader is something which really impressed me within the writing. We aren't just introduced to them then thrown into the heart of the problems as is shown in the musical. With Fantine for example, we meet her prior to the birth of Cosette. We meet the man who got her pregnant (unknowingly) who then just left her one summer. We then see her struggle with her child and money, before giving her child to the Thenardiers and then Fantine's decrease into poverty and into the character we know from the show. We see her slowly decrease from what a wonderful person that she used to be; it adds so much more depth to her character and makes her feel more realistic.
Overall I think the book Les Miserables is a wonderful read and a great eye opener. If you are a fan of the musical, then this is a good book to read as it adds context to the songs you have heard. If you are wary of the musical, this may change your mind and make you realise the show isn't just a bunch of good looking people sining about love. No matter who you are, I would certainly recommend this book, although bear in mind you will need plenty of time to read it as it is the longest book I have ever read and seen.
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