Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" : Book v. Musical Quiz

Answer: In Both

Ultimately, it is the Bishop's kindness (expressed through the gift of the candlesticks and his lying to the Police) that has a significant impact on Valjean.

There is a major difference between book and musical though in that Hugo devotes the first 100 pages or so to the Bishop and his charitable activities and this before he's even met Valjean. The figure is based upon a real-life Bishop of Digne who was equally well known for his love and compassion for the poor.

I'm indebted to teammate doublemm for pointing out that 24601 is both Valjean's number as a prisoner and that of Sideshow Bob in the Simpsons.

Answer: In the Musical

I did say that I would be strict with you because the name is never completely revealed in the book, only as M. sur M. Some English translations do insert the name but shouldn't as Hugo never connected the two. Naturally, the good folk of Montreuil-Sur-Mer have claimed the reference as theirs and the musical follows their lead but based on little more than Hugo having once stayed there briefly.

Answer: In Neither

I'm assuming that this is the point where you're staring at me questioning my sanity. This is a common misconception, so common that I've seen it repeated in College study aids.

First of all, the musical glosses over this period. It is content merely to communicate that Fantine has been deserted and has a child out of wedlock.

The book does not go into specific details but it does state that Cosette was two years old when left with the Thenardiers. If you then deduct the time that has elapsed since the break-up, you will confirm that Cosette was a few months old at that time.

Answer: In the Musical

As a lover of the book I rile at this point of the musical. In the book, the reformed Valjean is always portrayed as a peaceful character. Even at the barricade, where he is wielding a gun, it is noted that he shoots only at objects and not people. To attack Javert is completely inconsistent with the change he has undergone.

What really happens in the book is that Valjean's pleas for time to fetch Cosette fall on deaf ears and he is thrown into the town's jail.

Answer: In the Book

This incident occurs when Valjean, having escaped from the town's jail, returns to his factory in order to settle his affairs before going on the run.

When Javert comes to search the property, Valjean is hiding behind a door. Sister Simplice is praying in the centre of the room in full knowledge of Valjean's presence. Javert asks her two questions - "Is anyone else here?" and "Do you know the whereabouts of Valjean?". Both times the Nun lies by saying no. It is a horrible moment for her - she is portrayed as having sacrificed herself - and one which raises some deep philosophical and moral questions.

As Javert holds her in high esteem because of her reputation for honesty, he departs empty-handed without conducting a full search.

Answer: In the Book

Gavroche is the Thenardier's oldest son who as a young boy lives with them in Montfermeil but in Paris prefers to live on the streets and rarely returns home. He has two older sisters, Eponine and Azelma, and two younger brothers who are unnamed.

Eponine is the only one of these characters to also make it into the Musical but without the familial link ever being revealed.

Answer: In the Musical

At this point the musical condenses a lot of material and presents Marius as an unmitigated political campaigner with no back story.

In the book the story is quite different. Marius is at first drawn to the radical students of the ABC Society but he separates from them for three reasons:
(1) He is falling in love with Cosette;
(2) He realises that his political views differ from those of the other students and
(3) Over time the intensity of his political views wanes.

The reason he turns up at the barricade (long after it has been built) is that he is depressed and wants to die a glorious death.

Answer: In Both

Hopefully you at least got this one!

In the book, two things happen to shatter Javert's rigid world view. Firstly (in a scene which also features in the musical), Valjean spares Javert's life. Secondly and in response to this, Javert later finds that he has developed a conscience and cannot re-arrest Valjean when he has the chance. He is pictured on the brink of the same transforming experience that Valjean had experienced years previously. The only difference is that Javert is not prepared to change nor can he, in conscience, carry out this duty as an agent of the Law. He decides that suicide is the only way out.

Answer: In the Book

Marius never does discover that Thenardier didn't save the life of his father (as his father supposed). Instead, towards the end of the book, Marius provides him with 25,000 francs. You now know what this was invested in.

Thenardier goes with daughter Azelma who is the only other remaining member of the family. Mrs Thenardier has died in prison; Eponine and Gavroche were both shot at the barricade and the two younger boys have been lost, never to be seen again.

Answer: In Neither

Sadly not true in either portrayal and I must confess to the tears running down my cheek whenever I reach this point. It is, however, consistent with the overall story as Hugo tells it. That's why it's so exasperating when Hollywood producers decide to let Valjean live on just to give everyone a happy ending.