I FINALLY finished

For one who does not consider herself a reader, it is a great accomplishment for me to announce that after over a year I FINALLY finished reading Les Miserables. Sure it is a long book (1,463 pages), but I am embarrassed it took me so long. It wasn't as if I read faithfully from it all year long. I have a hard time sitting down to read and feeling like I am using my time wisely. I mean, I could be doing the dishes, or laundry, or cleaning, or primary stuff, or............

I did it, I finished the book and I can cross that goal off my list. In the words of Mallory, "good girl mommy."

The book is wonderful. I especially loved the beginning when it describes the soul changing events for Jean Valjean. Here are a few passages I enjoyed:

"Whether true or false, what is said about men often has as much influence on their lives, and particularly on their destinies, as what they do."

"Is there not in every human soul, and was there not in the soul of Jean Valjean, an essential spark, an element of the divine, indestructible in this world and immortal in the next, which goodness can preserve, nourish and fan into glorious flame, and which evil can never quite extinguish?"

"The cheese-mite has its worth; the smallest is large and the largest is small; everything balances within the laws of necessity, a terrifying vision for the mind. Between living things and objects there is a miraculous relationship; within that inexhaustible compass, from the sun to the grub, there is no room for disdain; each thing needs every other thing."

"There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another."

"What a pity!" said Combeferre. "What a hideous thing these bloodbaths are! I'm sure, when there are no more kings, there will be no more war. Enjolras, you're aiming at that sergeant, you're not looking at him. Just think that he's a charming young man; he's intrepid; you can see that he's a thinker; these young artillerymen are well educated; he has a father, a mother, a family; he's in love, probably; he's 25 at most; he might be your brother." "He is," said Enjolras. "Yes," said Combeferre, "and mine, too. Well, don't let's kill him." "Leave me alone. We must do what we must." And a tear rolled slowly down Enjolras's marble cheek."

"... to betray society in order to be true to his own conscience"

"... a compassionate convict, kind helpful, clement, returning good for evil, returning pardon for hatred, loving pity rather than vengeance, preferring to destroy himself rather than destroy his enemy, saving one who had struck him, kneeling on the heights of virtue, nearer angels than men."

"It is nothing to die; it is horrible not to live."