Yeah, I'm really interested in reading it just to see how it goes.
You're absolutely right, Enjolras is somewhat of a dirty hippie. There's just something about him you know?
You're also right about Cosette. I can't stand her and when I ask myself why, I can come up with no reason. Ali Ewoldt was cute onstage, and that worked well I think for the character, but in the novel Cosette isn't "cute" to me she's just sort of..there. To me, the character of Marius gives me the same feeling as the character of Laurence in "Little Women" because Laurie to me was self-reliant on the women around him - which would be fine if he wasn't so "I'm a man" and I think it's kind of the same thing with Marius except without all the women. Marius to me,to be honest, is a fool, and not in the "I-can-see-visions-of-angels" way. No, fool isn't really the word to describe him. I dunno, but I do agree with you when it comes to that.
ExCUUUUUUSE me, JavertJunky?!?! What kind of person in their right mind would prefer a stupid cop over a thieving, hilarious conman?!?! Thats like choosing vanilla ice cream over Ben and Jerry's 2Twisted Half-Baked!
People give Javert a bad rap. People seem to think that he is a mean old man who just wants to make everyone's life hell. He is just a man doing his job. Norm Lewis is even quoted saying "Javert's not a bag guy, he just has a purpose".
Firstly, to answer the question, my favourite character is Eponine.
But this thread got me thinking about why I don't like Cosette, and a large part of it is that I don't like any of her songs. So whenever she's on stage for any length of time, I know I'm going to be bored.
I've actually read two sequels, by two different authors, called Cosette. Neither were particularly good.
Updated On: 12/16/06 at 09:31 PM
Broadway Star Joined: 11/29/06
My favorite character is Marius. I don't care if people say he is shallow-Everytime I think about him I think of Michael Ball or Adam Jacobs and I can't help but love him!
I'm an Eponine girl all the way.
"Cosette" by Laura Kalpakian is a complete and utter travesty. I was so angry while reading it that I started smacking her picture on the book jacket with my hairbrush.
She turns Azelma (I'm sorry, I mean Zelma) into Mme. Thenardier v 2.0, "kills off" Marius, and turns Cosette into a nymphomaniac "modern woman." Not to mention her blatant ripping off of songs from the musical.
Unless you have a masochistic streak, it really is not worth your time.
As far as the character of Cosette in the novel, I find her completely and utterly charming. The character has a soul and a vivaciousness that is sorely lacking in the musical. Of course, I like Raoul in the novel of "Phantom of the Opera." So maybe I just like underdogs.
Young Eponine (because she wears the cutest hat)
Really - Enjolras
in close second - Gavroche
re: the triangle
I wasn't referring to fan fiction, which I never read. Even in the book there are passages which suggest a subtextual "love affair" between these 3 characters. I'd quote, but I don't have the book with me. But it goes something like this:
Grantaire loves Enjolras - I think that's not in dispute
Enjolras loves Marius - Yes, it's a brotherly love, but such affection is often read for its homosexual, or homosocial content. I'm not saying Enjolras is GAY and in love with Marius, but he IS very attached to Marius, always looking out for him... The type of brotherly love that so often appears in literature that many young gay people identify with (think Frodo and Sam - again, not ACTUAL gay lovers, but the subtext is clearly there). I also seem to recall a VERY slight hint of jealousy towards Marius' new love (hence Enjolras' wish to turn Marius' love away from Cosette and towards their cause - which could EASILY be read as..well, you know)
Grantaire is jealous and somewhat resentful of enjolras' affection towards Marius (hence, the triangle)
Marius remains oblivious to it all.
When we were younger, my sister and I would watch the show and go "AAaaw!! Poor Grantaire loves Enjolras, but Enjolras only cares about Marius!" And as silly as it sounds, it's a valid reading.
Gavroche Period
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
The musical's portrayal of Cosette is shameful. Her character is WONDERFUL in the novel, in the musical she's absolutely empty.
Marius is pretty flat in the musical too, but at least he's not a jerk like in the novel.
Anyway, my favorite character from Les Mis is Jean Valjean.
Marius. i can't believe i'm only the second to say that! he's so clueless and hot, i love it. in the book he once though Cosette's name was Ursula. lol
and being a POTO fan, i'd like to say that HE is the equivalent of Raoul, not Cosette.
she was actually was okay in the book (and i must have glazed over Eponine because i can't remember that part at all) but i can't say why Eponine out-shines her so much on stage. it's true that probably her boring songs are to blame.
"Marius remains oblivious to it all."
Another reason why I can't stand Marius.
I think the deal with Enjolras being "jealous" over Marius' new found love is just because Marius didn't have that passion for the revolution. I understand why people would connect the whole Enjolras-Marius thing to homosexuality, but when I read the novel the 50 times that I did, I never got that impression. From Gantaire, obviously, but not Enjolras.
When I read the novel, I barely even noticed any of les Amis noticing Marius except for Courfeyrac. The only time Enjolras really seemed to care was after he saved the barricade.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
The Ursula chapter of Les Mis is the best thing ever.
It's funny, Cosette's songs impress me more than Eponine's. Give me Cosette's C6 in "Everyday" over Eponine's belted C4 in "On My Own" anyday.
Unless you have a masochistic streak, it really is not worth your time.
Oh, I dunno, the part about Marius' loins was really entertaining.
I think the deal with Enjolras being "jealous" over Marius' new found love is just because Marius didn't have that passion for the revolution. I understand why people would connect the whole Enjolras-Marius thing to homosexuality, but when I read the novel the 50 times that I did, I never got that impression. From Gantaire, obviously, but not Enjolras.
I've also read the novel numerous times, and I did get that impression. It most definitely wasn't written as Enjolras is in love with Marius and jealous of Cossette. Nevertheless, it's still a valid reading.
It's definitely there in the musical. "Marius, sleep". Enjolras is very protective of Marius, and that affection can easily be read as something more than just...brotherly love. Again, it's just one possible interpretation, and by no means definitive. But I'm sure that if I saw it that way as a 12 year old girl, many others have as well.
The Runaway Cart
Broadway Star Joined: 10/30/06
Is Sylar trying to cut off the head of this thread?
Aside from Eponine ( Hail Celia! ), my favorite "character" is the Army Officer, voice at the barricade.
Is that a real live person? Who?
Is it a taped voice? Whose?
p.s.
I've never heared any variation in the parts --
they always sound exactly the same.
Updated On: 12/17/06 at 04:42 PM
Nah-- just being silly....
Broadway Star Joined: 9/8/04
>>>"Cosette" by Laura Kalpakian is a complete and utter travesty. I was so angry while reading it that I started smacking her picture on the book jacket with my hairbrush.
She turns Azelma (I'm sorry, I mean Zelma) into Mme. Thenardier v 2.0, "kills off" Marius, and turns Cosette into a nymphomaniac "modern woman." Not to mention her blatant ripping off of songs from the musical.
Sounds eerily like any number of travesties on fanfiction.net.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/3/06
cosette and marius!
so cutteee
Broadway Star Joined: 10/30/06
Update:
Aside from Eponine, my favorite "character" is the Army Officer, voice at the barricade.
Is that a real live person? Yes.
Who?
p.s.
Little you care.
But I got the answer myself.
So, never mind.
If I had a megaphone, I would shout it out to you all.
Updated On: 12/19/06 at 01:36 AM
Broadway Star Joined: 10/30/06
I found my sister's old hailer (megaphone) in the attic.
The Army Officer voice at the barricade (I've been told, and I'll listen for it myself tonight) is Nehal Joshi (Lesgles, and other parts).
Just curious -- did anybody here wonder about that?
Did anybody know that?
p.s. As long as I've got the hailer -- Hail Celia!
Swing Joined: 4/25/05
definitely gavroche!
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