I sat by a man during the performance who'd just moved to Salt Lake City this last year to work for Goldman Sachs. He was seeing the play for the 6th time. He said he was in the process of reading the book and was on page 400 of over 1,400 pages. He indicated I would love the play and that if I did, I should read the book which develops the powerful story line in a way the dramatic version cannot.
Well, the curtain opened and I was mesmerized. I was immediately drawn into the story line and found myself with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat during most of the performance. The music was a part of that emotion, but the powerful themes of charity, forgiveness, and unconditional love moved me in a way I can't describe. As the curtain came down I wiped away my tears, as did the fellow beside me, and we jumped to our feet in heartfelt applause for the excellent performance. As I sat there clapping, I kept thinking, I've got to read the book.
And so, all you book lovers, can I cajole you into a reading challenge? Wouldn't you agree that if there ever was a book worth reading all 1,400 pages of, it's Les Miserables? It occurred to me this week that a true book lover could really own the title if he put reading this book on his bucket list. Reading a 1,400 plus page book is, in my opinion, really walking the book lover's walk, not just talking the book lover's talk. Or to quote the motto of North Carolina: Esse quam videri ......... To be, rather than to seem.
The challenge is simple and achievable: read Les Miserables by September 1, 2013.
I thought it might be fun for all who accept this challenge to have a Skype book club chat when we are done (and periodically along the way if all are interested) to discuss it and celebrate our accomplishment.
Let me know if you accept the challenge and I will add your name on the Les Miserables challenge list below mine. Come on, you know you want to really own the title of 'Book Lover Extrodinare!', so join me.
