Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Goal Completed... Les Miserables

When I was pregnant with Fiona I started reading Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. Feeling brave, I decided to read the unabridged version which is roughly 1400 pages. There were times I thought I would have to give up, but the story was too good and I plugged on through.

I love the different themes of the book, especially towards the end, Hugo writes some pretty poetic stuff about mercy, justice, integrity, families, marriage and the relationship a parent has with a child. It got me all teary eyed on a few occasions. It is not an easy read, I think I would recommend the abridged version... even still it is quite the time commitment, yet well worth it. I would love to talk more about it in detail, but maybe just with anyone who has read it... I wont spill all the details to the rest of you.

I am excited because now I get to watch the movie and pick it apart as to how close I think they matched the story and characters... I love doing that. Someday I would love to see the Broadway production... but that will probably be far far in the future. Turns out it already came to Utah at the beginning of June (bummer!) It is showing in Minnesota in December... but tickets start at $164.00 (a bit pricey... especially considering the cost to get to Minnesota!) I will have to start saving my pennies.

I am focusing my literary endeavors on nutrition and food books now. There was so much that I wanted to learn during college that they didn't teach me. Right now I am reading "Original Fast Foods" by James Simmons. It is a pretty purist approach to eating and preventing disease, they talk a lot about being a raw food vegan. I am leaning more towards being vegetarian these days, but I don't know about the raw food thing completely. I have been fascinated thus far and Chuck and I are reading it together so it has sparked some great family discussions, plus it's helpful when changing your diet to have your spouse on board with you!!

As promised here is another video. This is actually from before we moved, but it's one of my favorites....



7 comments:

Mommadriver said...

Tacy, You DID IT!!! What an accomplishment for a new Mommie! Isn't it a great feeling to follow through on something all the way to the end...in spite of so many obstacles. (Especially the move). I am proud of you! Love, Mom

tammy said...

Welcome to Utah! I always wanted to read that book. Some day.

Toni Call said...

The movie is good but will probably disappoint you because it leaves out so many important parts and characters. Still a good movie, though. The broadway show, on the other hand, is by far the BEST show i've been to. 3 times baby! That's how much i love it, makes me cry every single time!

Tacy Marie said...

Toni.. I envy you!!! Someday I will see the Broadway show and we can talk about it.

Toni Call said...

We should see it TOGETHER. save all your pennies... dimes & quarters too! It's totally worth the high cost.

Karen said...

I've seen several versions of the movie, Les Miserables. Now I can't think of the actor in the one that I thought was the best. Several opportunities to see the Broadway show but they always fell through. One day I will see it. I do have the complete Symphonic Recording of it and enjoy listening to it, a lot!! This is the one with Gary Morris as Jean Val Jean.

The Atomic Mom said...

You can see the Musical. Try and find the 25th Anniversary concert done somewhere in the UK last year. They've been showing it a lot on PBS the last few months too. It's EXCELLENT! Or just buy it and you will not regret it!