Topic: Victor Hugo

Culture Cafe
'Les Misérables': Why musical-haters will like it

'Les Misérables' has appealed to a lot of critics and has already racked up awards nominations, but it can also win over those who wouldn't be caught dead at a musical.

Les Miserables reviews: What makes the movie different from the stage show?

Les Miserables reviews: British director Tom Hooper says the movie provides emotion via close ups. Les Miserables made its English language debut 27 years ago.

'Les Misérables' features great acting as well as singing

'Les Misérables' stars Hugh Jackman in a piece of ideal casting.

'Les Misérables': 15 memorable quotes

To mark the Dec. 25, 2012, opening of new 2012 movie new movie adaptation of "Les Misérables," directed by Tom Hooper, here are 15 memorable "Les Mis" quotes. 

Chapter & Verse
'Les Miserables': Is the story of Jean Valjean a model for newly released inmates today?

I should have tried to get Jean Valjean into a couple of local prisons. 

Culture Cafe
'Les Miserables' international trailer shows almost every cast member singing

The 'Les Miserables' new international trailer features vocals by stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, and Samantha Barks.

Chapter & Verse
What should your teen read this summer? Just ask this flowchart

The website Teach.com offers a handy flowchart that lets users shift through 101 titles and find one to match their interests.

Top picks: A video by Croatian cellists, Michelle Obama's new book, and more

Singer Melody Gardot embraces multiculturalism, noir writer Philip Kerr pens another winner with 'Prague Fatale,' and more top picks.

Censored: 5 plays and novels banned around the globe

Censorship of the arts has a long history, from ancient Greece to present-day Thailand. Here is a list of five plays and novels banned, for a variety of reasons, in regions across the globe.

Earthquake in Mexico: Powerful, destructive but not deadly (+video)

Earthquake in Mexico: The magnitude 7.4 quake was the biggest since 1986, when at least 10,000 died. But improved construction and where this earthquake hit, say officials, has left Mexico with limited damage, and no fatalities. 

The Monitor's View: 'Friends of Syria': Which good cause will bring unity for action?

At both the UN and at a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Tunisia, a consensus is steadily forming over which universal value can justify strong action on Syria.

10 sequels based on a classic book

10 authors who wrote a novel based in another author's literary world.

Sue Monk Kidd's 10 favorite books

Sue Monk Kidd, author of "The Secret Life of Bees," shares her favorite reads. 

2012 movies: 10 to look for

Hollywood's already looking ahead to the movies for this year -- here are 10 of the most anticipated

Culture Cafe
Tom Hooper's 'Les Misérables' may star Hugh Jackman and Paul Bettany

Hugh Jackman and Paul Bettany could both star in the musical adaptation of ‘Les Miserables’ from director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech). But will ‘The Wolverine’ affect Hugh Jackman’s schedule?

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris

How 19th-century America’s romance with Paris helped to change the course of US history.

Top Picks: 'Unstoppable,' Bonnaroo, and the 'Les Misérables' anniversary concert

A cinematic take on a runaway train in the Tony Scott film 'Unstoppable,' a music festival called Bonnaroo, and the 'Les Misérables' 25th anniversary concert on PBS.

Nicaragua to vote on bills tightening Daniel Ortega's grip on security, media

Nicaragua's legislature votes today on three proposed laws that, critics say, would give President Daniel Ortega sweeping new authority to create a domestic spy network and censor the media.

Classic review: The Black Tower

With a nod to Poe, Bayard pens a mystery about a lost king and a real-life convict.

Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris

A magnificent stroll through Parisian lives.

After secret hearings, France ready to put World Cup behind it

After the French team imploded at the World Cup, the French national parliament held two secret inquiries this week into the catostrophe!

Chapter & Verse
The 10 most pirated eBooks of 2009

Isolated Nicaragua senses opportunity in Honduras crisis

President Ortega has quickly positioned himself – alongside Chávez and Castro – as a champion of democracy.

In Paris, numbers – and spirits – of student strikers are waning

The protests that blocked classes at dozens of colleges ended up underscoring the need for reform in a university system that the government says is outmoded and underperforming.