Why Read Les Misérables? (Questions & Reading Assignments) (Patreon)

Les Misérables is a life-changing novel.

Hugo's masterpiece is the ultimate societal, historical, and morality tale all rolled into one.

So, in the lead-up to our first lecture on Les Misérables, let's talk about why we should live this great book.

Reading Assignment:

The first lecture covers the first 70 pages of the novel, which has us meeting Monseigneur Bienvenu and Victor Hugo himself. 

So you may wish to meet the Bishop and start finding your bearings in the world.

Questions to Consider:

1) Have you ever had a moment of significant change in your life? What was the catalyst or crisis that sparked it?

2) What is your intention for the novel? Where are you right now? And where would you like to go? What are the obstacles in the way?

3) Does art have any social purpose or utility?

Marginalia Assignment

As you read along, mark any special passages that resonate particularly strongly with you. 

And please do share them with us, so we can create a tapestry of those passages that hold the most meaning.

You may also wish to mark the day, month, and year that you are reading or rereading Les Misérables, as these books are always grounded in a specific moment in our lives.

Thank you for deep-reading Victor Hugo's Les Misérables with us.

Happy reading!