..I was first exposed to
Les Miserables from the musical. (Another lost tape I need to download at some point! I have decided to not go anywhere and not drive so I have money for iTunes. I wish. :-)
The musical led to the book, although I don't think I picked up the book until college. I remember enjoying it, but that's about it.
I'm pretty sure I still loved the musical more.
Then last night, I joined the free trial of Netflix, since I'm canceling my cable service. And I'd missed the 1998 movie version of Les Miserables (Oh. My. God. Awesome movie!), so I watched it instantly for free.
(Netflix rocks. I was addicted after five minutes.)
What stunned me most about watching it was how much it spoke to me. It's as if it's a completely different experience, even though the story is variably the same (I watched the movie last night, didn't read the book--although it's next on my list.)
It's not just my age: it's our society today, rising gas prices, rising food prices, unaffordable health care, and my fear that it's all going to topple over in a big way for our society.
I can't wait to read it again.
Ever have a story seem to drastically change when you read it again, even though it's the same story? Les Miserables the movie should've come out this year or next. Talk about a story for our times.