OEHS: One Book, One School

Knew the story, cried (a lot) anyway

2008-02-14T09:30:00.000-08:00

Geez. What is wrong with me? I knew Valjean died at the end of the story, but was I ever a mess after reading that part! And I loved one line so much, I had to write it down. On his death bed, Jean Valjean says the following to Marius and Cosette: "Love each other dearly always. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another." I think I need to make a little poster of that quote and hang it in my house. If we all lived according to that ideal, how much more beautiful the world would be. (Sorry. That was especially sappy!)

In terms of the abridged v. unabridged, I have to say I felt like the abridged was missing a little something. There was enough there to follow the story, but I felt like I could have used a little more background in some areas--particulary the story behind the fighters at the barricade. Maybe someday I'll go back and read the unabridged. Still, I really enjoyed the book, and I cannot wait for the musical!

Les Miserables: Director's Cut

2008-01-15T13:33:00.001-08:00

You know how a movie will come out, and everyone will love it, so they release four different versions with never-before-seen footage?

I'm getting the feeling that the Unabridged Version is like that long version of a movie that was better off as a short version.

It's still great, but...I'm just sayin'.

My First Blog

2008-01-11T14:08:00.000-08:00

This is my first blog ever, so I thought I'd appropriately title it as such. This is also the first time that I've read this novel (even in an adapted form), so I'm excited to start a new chapter in my life! I even thought about buying a Kindle and downloading the novel, but I still prefer a paperback that I can annotate while I read.

I've enjoyed reading the postings from Mr. Barsch and Mr. Fruits. They've really been digging into Les Mis!

I loved the opening pages. It resonates with me like the opening lines of other novels I love:
Tale of Two Cities by C. Dickens: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."
The Body by S. King: "The most important things are the hardest things to say."
Shopgirl by S. Martin: "When you work in the glove department at Neiman's, you are selling things that nobody buys anymore."
Eastern Sun, Winter Moon (foreword) by G. Paulsen: "It was in an old box in the basement of my sister's house in northen Minnesota, wrapped in plastic, mouse-chewed at the edges, dusty gray and yellowing, fly-specked and dirty and tired and brittle. My life."

I love the opening lines of novels because they are like the first mile on a road trip: I can tell if it's going to be a good journey or not right from the start. I, like Mr. Barsch, was surprised to NOT meet the characters I thought I'd be introduced to in this first section. Where was Javert? No mention of Valjean? Was I reading the right book?!?

The opening lines of the novel, and the first book for that matter, don't introduce readers to the characters that are central to what I think I know about the story, but the opening of Les Miserables is important because it sets the spiritual tone for the story to come. Mr. Fruits hit the nail on the head when he characterized Monsieur Myriel-Monsegnuer Beinvenu (Bishop of Dingne); unselfish nature, affectionate and spiritually whole without being "preachy." This is the character that needs to be introduced first, although the action of the novel doesn't truly center on him, because I think he'll embody the ideals that the readers should hope to take away from the novel. He is a saint, but not in Hugo's own words. To create a character like this, the author was careful in how Beinvenu was described and created for the reader. I know I've never met anyone with such a moral center and rightness of character. Can Beinvenu be too good to be true? As I read this first portion of Les Miserables, I was impressed by Hugo's creation of this fictional character and wished that there were more like him in reality.

I have enjoyed reading the novel thus far, but I admit that I'm behind the schedule. I'll sign off on my first blog (yea!), hope it works, and send my congrats and thanks to my fellow bloggers for taking this journey. Adieu!

Text to Script to Stage: Ch. 1 - Characterization!

2008-01-09T06:42:00.000-08:00

After reading your (Mr. Barsch's) comments and the chapter itself, I, too, think was very creative and smart for Hugo to begin with a focus on the Bishop of Dingne and his life.

Let's note a few things about Monsieur Myriel-Monsegnuer Beinvenu (Dingne) and what Hugo really tries to emphasis about him:

Bishop of Dingne (Characterization)

1. He was completely unselfish in every way.
2. Gave to the poor.
3. The people loved him (affectionate).
4. Talked never preached.
5. Felt others were capable of teaching in some way (removing the ignorance in the world as you brought up before).
6. He condemned nothing hastily (he always looked at the gray area not simply the black and white in particular problems or cases brought before him).
7 Felt that "Death belongs to God" (heavy stance).
8. God and his land was all he needed to be happy (not vain).

From a director's standpoint, and in relation to the Les Mis script, I still believe that even though this role of the Bishop is considered small or minor in the play...it is extremely important. Important because it is important to Hugo and important because the Bishop is a key symbol of the entire story (book and play). His story and his background is a common thread and theme throughout.

The Bishop of Dingne was a sinner, too, but he is at peace with himself. He loves himself and others. Redemption? As much as I respect the history of the French Revolution, the French Revolution is simply a powerful backdrop for such an impressive story that all can relate to in some way. Keep searching for ways to understand the history and the characters. "We read to know we are not alone." We read to know that others have felt certain ways and certain feelings that we have all gone through. It is reassuring and it is the same with with dramatic characters, too. I am being quite random, I know!

Okay, maybe only those who have ever loved, sacrificed, or forgiven others before...you know, things people should do on a regular basis…wink, wink.

I love it, man!

Mr. Barsch, great stuff...I liked to guillotine section, too. Creepy and symbolic!

Opening thoughts

2008-01-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

My first reaction is surprise that this giant novel does not at all begin with the characters we are familiar with... No Valjean, no Javert, no Fantine, etc.

So why start with Bishop Myriel? Victor Hugo definitely seems to describe him favorably. Does showing Myriel's generosity reflect Hugo's priorities? Hugo will show a great concern for the poor and lower classes throughout the novel.

One thing that struck me early was the point that Myriel became a priest around 1793. Hugo hasn't really dealt with it yet, but there was a strong movement against the clergy during the French revolution. It's interesting that this guy chose not only to become a priest, but return to France from Italy at a time which it was dangerous to do so.

Here are a few lines that stuck out to me in the early parts of the book:

He said, moreover, "Teach those who are ignorant as many things as possible; society is culpable, in that it does not afford instruction gratis; it is responsible for the night which it
produces. This soul is full of shadow; sin is therein committed. The guilty one is not the person who has committed the sin, but the person who has created the shadow."
I don't know if I agree with this personally, but it does show Hugo's great concern for the poor.

Death belongs to God alone. By what right do men touch that unknown thing?
Interesting that Hugo put this in here. The French Revolution also made great use of the guillotine. Myriel takes an anti-death penalty stance.

"The beautiful is as useful as the useful." He added after a pause, "More so, perhaps."
Now that's a line to remember, especially for a choir director!

That's all for now. Don't get hung up on all the history. Try to focus on character! What character traits does Victor Hugo think are important? This is a book you can re-read at later points in your life and you'll get more out of it each time. The important thing for now is to keep going and get what you can out of it: big themes, big character traits, etc.

Reading timeline

2007-12-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

You don't have to stick to this timeline exactly, but it might help keep you on track to finish before auditions for the spring musical.

12/26-1/2 Fantine: whole section
1/3-1/9 Cosette: whole section
1/10-1/16 Marius: whole section
(We have Book Club on 1/16, so we'll talk about the book and the blog up to this point.)
1/17-1/23 Saint and Idyl Denis: Eponine-Enchantments and Desolations
(Finals are 1/17-18, then students have MLKjr.day off on 1/21)
1/24-1/30 Saint and Idyl Denis: Where are they going?-The rue de l'homme arme
1/31-2/6 Jean Valjean: War between four walls-Javert off the track
2/7-2/13 Jean Valjean: The grandson and the grandfather-The last drop
2/14-2/20 Jean Valjean: The twilight wane-Supreme shadow, supreme dawn
(We have Book Club again on 2/20, so we can have a good wrap-up discussion)

Welcome!

2007-12-04T11:13:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the OEHS: One Book, One School blog! I have been wanting to start an online book discussion for a while, and thanks to a great idea from Mr. Barsch, one of our choir teachers, I'm finally getting it started!

A few weeks ago, Mr. Barsch emailed a handful of members of the OEHS community. Here's his original message:

Ladies & Gent,
I'm reading Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" right now, partially in preparation for the musical, and partly for my own entertainment. I've encouraged kids in the theatre dept. to read it as well. It struck me that since several people will be working our way through this monster simultaneously, why don't we work through it together as well? I was thinking of blogging my reactions as I go through each section of the book. It wouldn't necessarily be writing an explanation, just saying what I find interesting along the way. I might put up links to websites which explain the history a bit, too. Maybe also put up a running glossary of words the kids might find challenging? I'd invite any of the kids to blog along or simply comment. Teachers would be welcome, too.

Of course, I LOVED the idea. I hope you do, too. Get a copy of the book, start reading, and let's start discussing!