How to Decide Which Translation of Les Mis to Read

[@eliasapollo4131]

"EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE SCENE" Don't you mean: pain central

[@augusthuffle3043]

Reading out different translations of The Brick and using a passage from Orestes Fasting and Pylades Drunk is the most Les Mis fan thing I’m

[@bluepaint9923]

just wanna draw attention to the fact that the auto-generated caption transcribe enjolras as 'aunt rose' and 'lingerie'

[@noegiard494]

okay but "having aunt rose come over" is a popular French euphemism for having your period tho

[@khw_]

@@noegiard494 Makes sense, red is Enjolras's colour after all x

[@a_whisper_on_a_starchase8673]

I can TOTALLY feel the "oh my god when did I write this I'm such a dweeb" because for some reason my ten year old self had a huge thing for Gavroche?? and every time Hugo even mentioned him I'd write "

[@elisouthern]

a_whisper_on_a_starchase huge nerd solidarity ✊🏼

[@CandyDiababa]

ok, E... here is a suggestion for you: if you would like to, i'd love to listen to you read the entire brick of a book that is les mis (whichever version you want) and analysing/discussing/commenting on it as you read, or just simply reading through it, because man i would watch that all day (not to be creepy tho) even if the video ends up 500000 hours long. or you could just read sections that you prefer. point being, i would really enjoy hearing you read the brick. your videos are awesome. you are awesome. your unicorn and your cat are awesome. enjoltaire are awesome -bros- ... know that you have this random stranger's devoted love! ~~

[@ashes2ashes-l8z]

looks like the quarantine will give me the chance to finally read the brick..... or i could procrastinate it for another few months.....

[@inmajina1312]

There's a translation in wich Grantaire says "if you don't mind". IF YOU DONT MIND. THATS SO PURE, SO CASUAL, SO GENTLE MY HEART IS MELTING

[@LoverofHistory]

Ngl I actually love the "might as well kill two birds with one stone... if you don't mind" because I think it's really sweet. I also love that translation because it said "Enjolras was a charming young man capable of being a terror" rather than "capable of being terrible" and I think the "being A Terror" does a really good job at showing that Enjolras isn't terrible/mean/cruel, but that he is a revolutionary and capable of doing things like killing Le Cabuc. Anyway, thank you for this video, it was a lot of fun to listen to you read the same passage from so many translations!!! I've only read one translation all the way through so far, but I'd love to acquire some more, so this was very cool. I loved hearing your reactions too hahaha!

[@noegiard494]

I don't have an 1800s copy of the brick but i do have in my possession a copy of the Traité de la communion des deux espèces by Jacques Bénigne Bossuet (yes the original Bossuet who inspired Lesgle's nickname) that was printed in 1727. It's an extremely specific nerd flex and i love it.

[@heartlknj]

The passage you read is always the one I look for when I see the brick in bookstores ahahah great video!

[@ThisCubed]

I apparently have Isabelle's translation. I'm big on recommending good translations of the Iliad but it never occurred to me that their could be other translations of Les Mis until I saw the newest one in a bookstore and realized they changed "do you permit it?" Wasn't to happy about that but at least it didn't say "shook his hand with a smile." 😂 Anyway, I admire your Les Mis collection and that Drink With Me parody at the end was lit. (also this might be weird but I just wanted to acknowledge the fact that we both named ourselves after Les Mis characters, presuming the E comes from Enjolras.)

[@elisouthern]

R Jenson it absolutely does! I’m assuming yours is Grantaire 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ThisCubed]

@@elisouthern you would be correct! love that cynical asshole and relate so hard to him.

[@barricadegirl6184]

I have just been told that all theatre events have been cancelled where I am, and this evaporated my tears and put a smile on my face. Thank you.

[@wriggleby]

"everyone's favourite scene" you're damn right it is

[@ChillGamerBlue]

Currently reading the Donougher translation, was originally reading the Lee and Fahnestock one earlier this year until I could get Donougher's. Loving it so far! After performing in the school edition of Les Misérables my freshman year of high school I've tried to read the brick off and on with varying degrees of success. Apparently I got past "Fantine's death/Confrontation" in the book at one point because I remember whichever (I suspect abridged) version I was reading in high school started Book II: Cosette with Valjean arriving at Montfermeil to retrieve Cosette from the Thénardiers- NOT the Battle of Waterloo. I'm gonna push through as best I can and try not to skip this section, I'm making it a goal to finish reading Les Misérables FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME within a year and it'd be amazing if I could do it without skipping.

[@Genitianadinarica]

Such a great idea. I read the one on the Project Gutenberg cause I'm poor and our translations are godawful. I had fun. Reading Les Mis was a fantastic experience for me and the translation was good. It had some great turns of phrase. "His indifference loved" will stay with me always I think. But this was very educational. Also, how masochistic am I to listen to my fave characters dying again and again in 17 minutes? I loved it. It is a beautiful passage after all. Also also: Kitty! It was listening so thoughtfully, I died from cute. Sorry this got way too rambly. Tldr: this was fun, you're awesome!

[@michelerodrigez6735]

“THEY’RE JUST BROS!!!!!”

[@warlckvomitt]

Time to re-read all of my copies of Les Mis during quarantine :)) once again a lovely video!! 💛💛💛

[@carolyns.9377]

The last one was my first ever copy of Les Mis that I got in 6th grade and ngl that brought back some memories

[@queendom7125]

COUNT ME IN AGHSKKKSKAFH

[@virginiacreech6881]

I sort of think the "shook his hand" thing was to try and stop people from thinking its gay. Considering they also seem to have trimmed down the "Joly and Bossuet shared everything" bit. They seem to have deleted the line about eating together and sleeping together (unless I was having a stupid moment the day I was rereading that passage.)

[@ninarances9074]

I have the translation by Norman Denny from Penguin Books, and, yes, I skipped the part of the Parisian sewer and the Battle of Waterloo😅. And, to be honest, I was sorta mad because the translation doesn't say "Will you permit it?" like what I've been seeing in fanarts😅😅; also, there are some words that end up only having the first letter and the rest is a line (e.g. instead of 'Digne' it's 'D---'). I'm actually surprised that you have ALOT of Les Mis bricks, even the manga! Also, when you're talking about the ultra abridged version, I thought you were talking about the book "Cosette", the story that took place after the musical version, the one that made Victor Hugo's descendants or grandchildren filed a sort of petition to remove it but failed. Oh yeah, there's this story written by D.A. Ravenscroft called 'Chasing A Ghost', I haven't read it, but the plot is about Combeferre (who happens to be alive) trying to find his friend Enjolras (who also happens to be alive). When you started singing at the end, imagine Victor Hugo on the piano, with a glass of wine on top of it, and just sang and played.

[@ace-di8eu]

This inspired me to actually get to finishing my copy of The Brick so I shall now do that

[@swelldays7970]

4:40 dkskljdk you're judging it so hard lmao

[@Scifiguy11th]

idk if it's the quality but this video has massive 2006 KZbin Energy

[@Cat-nb5qs]

The Denny translation is great but it upsets me so, so much that "Do you permit it?" was changed.

[@kevinrosero9723]

What a great choice of passage to read, not the obvious go-to but one of the best in the book. So I read the Donougher translation and loved it. But I really like Grantaire's "if you don't mind" in Denny. "All right with you" is also sweet.

[@lauranagel9962]

"all right with you?" is just so... bro stuff.... OH GOD, I JUST IMAGINED THE SAD LIFE THAT THE EPONINE+ENJOLRAS SHIPPERS HAVE LIKE- THEY PROBABLY IMAGINE GRANTAIRE MOCKING HIM AND- ......i fell like i sinned.....

[@jennadanler]

this might be my favorite video on youtube

[@virginiacreech6881]

Thank you! This was very helpful. I, too, first read an abridged version. Later, I read the hapgood translation. (The one you show at 5:00) Still later, I finally bought my own copy. Its the Faughnstock (sorry if I spelled that wrong) version (the common grey paperback) and I'm slightly disappointed. I still love it, but it just doesnt sound as nice. I'm especially annoyed at "shook his hand" and the fact that they say "only his head was tilted" instead of "bowed" (bowed, along with "as though the shots had nailed him there" provide a sort of crucifixion metaphor, the savior of the people is dead, sort of thing) and the omission of "struck by a thunderbolt". Im dying to get my hands on Wilbour's translation, but havent managed yet.

[@virginiacreech6881]

I've gotten a Wilbour translation, and I love it.

[@eliasapollo4131]

I read Dennys all the way through, and thought that it was easy to understand yet still poetic and in the spirit of the original story. I bought Hapgoods simply because it was gorgeous a few months ago as well and read a few of my favourite passages, and thought her translation was definitely more beautiful and 'french' but not as easy to just read major chunks of. Also-- I SCREAMED WHEN I SAW FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST ELI WHAT ARE YOU DOING ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT AN FMA LES MIS AU WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA-

[@elisouthern]

holy shit YES??? I actually just put it in there cause “soul for soul” is equivalent exchange BUT BRUH I WANT THAT AU

[@eliasapollo4131]

@@elisouthern PATRON-MINETTE AS THE HOMUNCULI, ENJ AND FERRE AS ED AND AL

[@elisouthern]

Elias Apollo GET THE HELL OUT THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING (if you have a tumblr please come talk to me about this further if not pls grant me permission to post about this)

[@eliasapollo4131]

@@elisouthern I'm Alex (twink-with-an-agenda) we were chatting earlier the day on tumblr

[@inmajina1312]

Okay, im a few months later, but, here i am, among me people at last. So, im from Spain, and I have a spanish translation of the brick. And since all of you seem to enjoy comparing translation of our favorite part, i want to add mine :) This is a translation from a century ago, and is higly censored; specially in the view of the church that victor have in the book. So, I dont like it really much, but here it goes: "Retirado como estaba Grantaire en un rincón, y al abrigo de la mesa de billar, los soldados, que no separaban la vista de Enjolras, no habían advertido en él; y ya el sargento se preparaba a repetir la orden "¡Apunten!", cuando oyó de improviso gritar con voz robusta: -¡Viva la república! Aquí estoy yo. Grantaire se había levantado. La inmensa claridad del combate, a que él no había asistido, apareció en la brillante mirada del borracho transfigurado. Repitiendo "¡Viva la República!", atravesó la sala con paso firme, y fue a colocarse delante de los fusiles, en pie, junto a Enjolras. -Matad a dos de un golpe- dijo. Y volviéndose a Enjolras, añadió con timidez: -¿Lo permites? Enjolras le estrechó la mano sonriéndose. No había acabado de sonreirse cuando sonó la detonación." Okay, now poorly translated in English word by word, for me, so you can have the general idea: "Retired as Grantaire was in a corner, and sheltered by the billiard table, the soldiers, who did not take their eyes off Enjolras, had not noticed him; and the sergeant was already preparing to repeat the order "Aim!", when he suddenly heard a strong voice shouting: - Long live the republic! Here I am. Grantaire had risen. The immense clarity of combat, which he had not witnessed, appeared in the bright gaze of the transfigured drunkard. Repeating "Long live the Republic!", He crossed the room with a firm step, and went to stand in front of the rifles, standing next to Enjolras. "Kill two with one blow," he said. And turning to Enjolras, he added shyly: - Do you allow it? Enjolras shook his hand wilhe smiling at himself. He hadn't finished smiling when the detonation sounded." Okay, so what do you think about "here i am" and "HE ADDED SHYLY" PS: sorry for the long text, and sorry if i mispelled something, love you all :)

[@lauranagel9962]

i'm SO GLAD i discovered you, you gave me some pretty good advice, even tho i'm brazilian. Love you already (i want to be like you when i grow up) also, how much money did you spent on the books? -and i thought it wasnt normal to be so addicted to something, turns out its just rare -

[@elisouthern]

Laura Morph Hey! Thanks for watching! Honestly....I started this collection back in 2012 soooo it’s been a while. ....and a lot of money 😅😅

[@lauranagel9962]

@@elisouthern so i gotta devote my whole life to Les mis huh? ~easy

[@aislinng1905]

Jeez this is a mood that I am willing to invest in. Thank you

[@vicomtexdaae3630]

ok but the thing to vicky hugo u wrote is wholesome and this video was very helpful thank u

[@aham7948]

You’re a gem and a delight

[@awweeezome]

I’M thinking of buying the hapgood or norman denny version but probably hapgood!! Thank you for this

[@juancarlosl4133]

I am a huge nerd too, Eli.

[@elizabeth7951]

last year I decided to read les mis for my independent reading thing for English and I started that book in October an I lugged that book to and from school practically everyday and it took me till may to get near the end. also,i never actually finished the book but i knew everything that happens so I didn't really care.

[@salemgordon1840]

eli i’m going to add with another commenter that i also would listen to you if you made a podcast or youtube vid or audiobook reading the brick ✨✨

[@ghostoftheschiavona]

yknow i come back to this video three times a month, because i just do, and last week, i decided “IM GONNA WRITE AN ESSAY ON SOMETHING” for fun because i write essays for fun. anyways, i was talking to my mom and she said “so, you’d have to choose a very nitpicky phrase and analyse it in various translations; what about the do you permit it scene?” since my autistic ass infodumps about that scene every day. anyways this video ended up being pretty useful, so thanks my guy maybe one day i’ll publish my findings on orestes fasting pylades drunk once i compile all the facts (i would have to look through each translation’s depiction of the exr dynamic; and also the history of the authors and all the things yada yada yada, but yeah i just randomly decided to write a thesis for fun. this is the second time i’ve done this. because its fun. yall should go write a thesis for fun)

[@hayleihuling49]

Me and my friend (cuz I have only three and but one likes Les mis) are both reading Isabelle's out of the same book and she owns it so with the whole corona virus thingy I can't keep reading that so I am very sad

[@hayleihuling49]

Update, I have gotten my own and am happy

[@dumplingsuwu6691]

Thank you thank you you're the best 👌

[@tothebbarricades]

I was wondering if you had tumblr? Love this channel so much!!

[@elisouthern]

thunderbirdauror7 • yep! thecandlesticksfromlesmis :) thanks for watching!

[@nadjasolace6751]

Thank you for this video and i like your cats! 😊

[@maryslittlebookshelf]

i read the abridged version of it in russian when i was like 11 or 10 and no one at the library told me that it was abridged. now i'm finally gonna read the full book

[@maryslittlebookshelf]

and in that book they cut out Eponine didn't even mention her

[@sannidhiupadhyay1629]

Where did you get the Wilbour copy of Les Mis? I've checked everyman's library's website and can't find that copy of it...

[@irlkel]

which one is your favorite?

[@repulore13]

This book is just.... ... *Read more*

[@emili2188]

wait just a minute... your cat... Kaz as in... Kaz Brekker???????????????

[@elisouthern]

Emili Darrow !!! YES!!! we have another cat named Wylan omg

[@emmaw2152]

me, watching this a 2nd time to decide which one to ask for? YUP

[@rubychan-frey5057]

the boys got RIGHTS for this video??? wylan rising like the tide at the alleged heterosexuality

[@elenagaudieri1849]

I propose to officially change the line in the brick from "the smile was not finished" to " the smile was NUT finished". It think it'd add that little something extra

[@marnirobertson]

ive read the denny translation and it was… not ideal, in my opinion. i got another translation for christmas (dounagher) (i did not spell that right) and im gonna read it (or some of it) soon so i can decide which to use for my dissertation. HOWEVER, i am NOT reading the fucking sewers again. no translation can make that bearable.

[@elisouthern]

That’s so valid. Fuck the sewers of Paris tbh. I hope you find the translation that’s right for you!

[@CandyDiababa]

liked before i clicked

[@justyncase8686]

my copy didn’t even include grantaire as a character so we be needing to know what copy to spend money on

[@vicomtexdaae3630]

did tom hooper write it? cause we all know he is the king of cutting grantaire out smh

[@justyncase8686]

vicomtexdaae translated from french by charles e. wilbur with introduction by james k. robison

[@augusthuffle3043]

As someone who used to spend his lunch periods reading out the Isabelle translation with his friends and crying I’m rather partial to that one and I can confirm there is Grantaire

[@augusthuffle3043]

The covers are freaking gorgeous on your bookshelf

[@vicomtexdaae3630]

justyn case teehee yes I was only kiddin ^.^

[@stellaadler5894]

IF YOU DON'T MIND??!?!?!?!?! what is this heresy. Also I'm reading Wilburs and its no wonder its kind of confusing...

[@lauranagel9962]

question from non-native english speaker: what exactly does "pressed" mean, is it in any way different from "shook"? 'cause in portuguese it's... the same, i guess?

[@elisouthern]

Hey! "Pressed" is more like taking someone's hand and squeezing it and "shook" way more formal. Like we usually use the phrase "shook hands" when we're talking about the act of taking someone's hand and moving it up and down for a moment when you first meet them. "Pressed" is more intimate. Hope this helps!

[@pedroalonso1359]

8:32 Look at the cat

[@mengmengsu3893]

Shaking too much！ cant even focus

[@paladin1726]

I cannot take you seriously when you look stoned out of your mind in the first 10 seconds.

[@elisouthern]

As someone who has never once dabbled in recreational drug use in his life, I’m flattered. I’ve been begging ppl to not take me seriously for years thank u 🙏🏼