French! Ohlala.

Recently, I picked up Les Miserables so I could read it again. Some people have a certain movie, a certain song, a certain place, etc.etc. I have this book.

I honestly think its the best book ever written. Hugo's language is absolutely beautiful. His story is complex and engaging. But, since its focused on the Uprising in Paris in 1832, it also has these beautiful long passages about human nature, the divine and political utopia's.

"What you fellows call progress moves by two springs, men and events. But sad to say, from time to time the exceptional is necessary. For events as well as for men, the stock company is not enough; geniuses are needed among men, and revolutions among events. Great accidents are the law; the order of things cannot get along without them; and, to see the apparitions of comets, one would be tempted to believe that Heaven itself is in need of star actors. At the moment you least expect it, God placards a meteor on the wall of the firmament. Some strange star comes along, underlined by an enormous tail. And that makes Caesar die. Brutus strikes him with a knife, and God with a comet."

Note: Hugo's political beliefs eventually led him to be exiled out of France.

Then, three years ago I saw the play on Broadway. I have never heard a song this beautiful live since.

Bring Him Home