Best Les Miserables?

I’m curious what is the the best Les Miserables to acquire? Easton Press has the wraxall translation which seems out of favor. Folio published the Denny translation ( modern and slightly abridged). What’s the “version to get”.

There's also the five volume LEC edition, which looks nice. It was the basis for the Easton Press edition, and is probably superior to it. But, like the EP, it uses the outmoded Wraxhall translation, which might make it a non-starter.

>1 dtholloway28: I'm already taken, but I'll speak to the wife and see what I can do. :-)

>3 LesMiserables: Bound in human skin too!

>4 ubiquitousuk: >3 LesMiserables: Heh Heh

But seriously, I would personally recommend Folio's Limited Edition from 2008.

My sense from reviews is that Christine Donougher's recent translation for Penguin (initially published in hardcover under the title "The Wretched") is outstanding and probably the best English-language translation. The paperback, reprinted under the more common title "Les Miserables," is easy enough to find. The hardcover is somewhat rare, though I was able to find one on eBay last year for a decent price.

>7 CJDelDotto: Thank you for that information, I will hunt down a copy of this translation.

>1 dtholloway28:

I'm disappointed I didn't get the 2008 LE back when I had a chance.

Here is a decent review of the various translations. It suggests that the Christine Donougher translation may be the best. This review omits the translation of Joseph L. Blamire who is credited with all Victorian era French translations of Dumas, Sue and Hugo for the publisher Routledge and Sons. I have previously read both the Blamire and Wraxall (Hugo approved) translations both in leather bound editions published by Easton Press. I expect those editions might have been censored or bowdlerized to suit the moral sensitivities of the readers during the 19th century as we find in the novels of Sue and Dumas. Based on this review I will be looking for the Donougher translation from Penguin.

https://welovetranslations.com/2021/07/29/whats-the-best-translation-of-les-mise...

>7 CJDelDotto:
The hardcover is somewhat rare,
Dead chuffed to find one in a very decent condition (inc dustcover) in my local Oxfam shop a few days ago, at £2.49!

It would be awesome if the Donougher translation would show up in a fine press edition. Looks like the best available right now is the Penguin Deluxe paperback.

>13 dtholloway28:
My kindle edition has a leather cover and no scuff marks. :)

>12 Willoyd: That's fantastic! I paid approx. 40 USD and considered that price a bargain. Congratulations on such an excellent find!

I avoid Easton like the plague. I have the Barnes and Noble Library of Essential writers volume. It has The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Man Who Laughs. Nice big, heavy and unabridged volume that looks great on a shelf.

>16 JHemlock:

Could you share a link or ISBN for the unabridged, English only (not bilinguale) edition of Hunchback you mentioned?

Three Novels: The Hunchback of Notre Dame / Les Misérables / The Man Who Laughs By Victor Hugo This whole series is AMAZING. If you are looking for a dependable, readable and extremely affordable addition to your library this is the series to invest in. I don't think I paid more than 15 dollars for any of them.

>18 JHemlock:

Thank you. That's unfortunately a bit hard to get here - I'll have to see what I can find.