The Abbreviated Les Miserables

Everything you've ever wanted to know about Abridged editions, Children's editions, Comics and Manga versions of Les Miserables

I've been aware of Les Miserables for quite a while... the musical is a sensation, and it's always high on the "Books you should read before you die" lists.

I'm also aware that the book is even longer than The Count of Monte Cristo, and Victor Hugo goes off on a few... digressions (aka running off at the mouth pen). At this stage, I'm not quite ready to read unabridged, with all the blather about Waterloo, convent history and... the sewers. So, I'm following a very familiar path (same path as Monte Cristo)... Classics Illustrated, Manga, graphic novels, abridged text versions before tackling the unabridged book (and I anticipate skipping chapters).

I am quite aware that some people look down their noses at abridged versions of the classics. Fine. To each his/her own. People who want to read all of the digressions- more power to 'em. Just don't slam and put down people who want to read a more tightly-edited version of the book and are in it for the story. There's no shame in that. I always said, it's far more important for people to finish the book. Unabridged: cool. Abridged: also cool, once you get a good one. DNF: not cool- there's a more suitable edition out there for you, so you too can finish the book!

Note: I'm abbreviating "Thenardier" to "Thenn". My first impulse, since I know the word "Grenadier" is to call them "Threnadier", but they're not deserving of that because they're not brave soldiers- they're cowardly, petty, child-abusing bullies. "Thenn" (a Game of Thrones reference) will do for them!

• TL:DNR? 
• Section One: Les Miz Book Abridgements (for Teens and Adults)
  
• Section Two: Les Miz for Kids
  
• Section Three: Les Miz in Comics and Manga
• Section Four: Les Miz: WTF did I just read? An unvarnished set of First Impressions
  
• Section Five:
• Section Six: 

Favorite Links:

• FuckYouVictorHugo ⮜ I love this blog! It's passionate, honest, totally refreshing and utterly entertaining with nary a sign of Victor Hugo ass-kissing. Brandon Michelle tells it like it is, with no apologies!
• WeLoveTranslations ⮜Thank you Lucy Day! Such a helpful website for noobs like me to get a handle on the bewildering number of English translations available. This site brings Order to Chaos! 
• Copyright, Competition, and the first English language translations of LES MISÉRABLES (1862) A fascinating look at the differences between early (and still influential) translations of Les Miz.
  

Visit my sister-site!

• The Abbreviated Monte Cristo ⮜ Think you (or your kids) might want to read The Count of Monte Cristo and don't want to start with an unabridged tome? Let me guide you!
  

Questions? Comments? Have an abridged book that you'd like me to include (or send to me)? Have an alternative POV and want to review any of these books? Fill in the "Comments" section below!