My Favorite Classic Book: The Classics Club August meme

Yeah I know August is almost over! But when I still got time, I want to share my favorite classic for The Classic Club’s August meme. Like many other Classic Clubbers who had difficult time deciding which classic work is their most favorite, I had it too, but then managed to choose ONE that is, according to myself, the best so far.

Tadaaa, my favorite classic is:

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Indonesian edition cover of Les Misérables

Wikipedia explains Les Misérables as follows:

Beginning in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion, the novel follows the lives and interactions of several characters, focusing on the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption.

Examining the nature of law and grace, the novel elaborates upon the history of France, architecture of Paris, politics, moral philosophy, antimonarchism, justice, religion, and the types and nature of romantic and familial love. The story is historical fiction because it contains factual and historic events.

I first read the Indonesian version of Les Misérables (translated from the abridged version) on January 2011 and have been LOVING it ever since. I love how the author described social injustice in nineteenth-century France, and especially how he emphasized that love can change everything and everyone, including Jean Valjean. Including even Javert. And the writing, duh. It made me cry. Jean Valjean made me cry. Fantine made me cry. Eponine made me cry. See, I’m going emotional just by remembering that I have read it.

So when Tien mentioned in her comments in my blog that she planned to host a Les Misérables read along before the recent adaptation (a musical! Wohooo!) is released this December, I was excited. This time I want to read the unabridged version. In English. Although I hesitated in joining the read along at first, because I’m intimidated by its thickness (1600+ pages), I finally made up my mind and joined it. Well, because it is my favorite classic, right? And I do want to read it in the unabridged version (wait, I mentioned this already, haven’t I?). So I should give it a try. And the read along will be held in about 2 and half months. I think I’ll manage!

If you’re interested in joining Tien’s Les Misérables read along, click the button below.

Read my review of the abridged version of Les Misérables (in Indonesian language) HERE.

Oh. Just in case you’re curious. Jane Eyre, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Secret Garden are also some of my favorite classics. 😉