Aimee
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Subtle [or not] book referencesIn the show there are lots minute of references to the book which don�t actually have anything to do with the plot of the show itself.
For example the whole Waterloo section is missed out but in the [original] show, there is a mention of it in Master of The House.
Mine host Thenardier
He was there so they say,
At the field of Waterloo
Another [and my favourite actually] is when Valjean says 'I'm not some kind of dog' during the [old] prologue as a clever and very subtle reference to his failed attempt to sleep in a dog's kennel. I love that one.
Do you like them have you noticed any? And what�s your fave?
Any answers, daft or amazing, welcome.
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LesMisForever
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Hello
I certainly noticed The Thenardier's one. I think it is important, because it told you more about the real Thenardier.
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Colle
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One I can remember: "I'll make you scream..." which hints that Thenardier beats Eponine.
I will try to write some more later.
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little_lotte
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When Eponine says to Marius "I like the way you grow your hair"
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Aimee
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I like the two women at the Bishop's table. One is clearly his sister, Mademoiselle Baptistine and one clearly his housemaid, Madame Magloire.
Now anyone who doesn't know the book wouldn't pick up on it but for people who love the book too [like me] it adds an extra dimension to the show.
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Kragey
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I saw a production where Eponine came out with a bit of hay in hair, then pulled it all out really quickly like she was trying to look "presentable" for Marius.
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flying_pigs
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When Eponine says: 'I don't want your money sir'
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Aimee
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I also like the nun at Fantine's bed. A hint at yet another character,
Sister Simplice.
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The Very Angry Woman
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There was a tour Joly who used to check his throat during Red and Black.
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Orestes Fasting
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And, if I recall, a Combeferre who physically intervened to prevent the more hotheaded Amis from summarily executing Javert. Which wasn't in the book, but yay in-character Amis.
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The Very Angry Woman
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I don't mean to burst your bubble, but that's the standard blocking. Although some Combeferres are a little more volatile about it.
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Orestes Fasting
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Didn't know that--must've missed it, since my recollection of the book was hazy when I saw the show. I don't know if I'd count it as a book reference, but I like the idea, since the lack of Ami characterization bugs me from time to time in the musical. I'll be watching for it when I see the tour, then.
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Colle
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Some more book references that have not been mentioned yet:
Valjean giving young Cosette a doll.
Garvroche saying something like "little people" are good for something.
"Master of the House," that is what some people mistakeningly call Madame Thenardier.
Marius giving Eponine a kiss on the forehead after she dies.
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Aimee
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| Orestes Fasting wrote: | | Didn't know that--must've missed it, since my recollection of the book was hazy when I saw the show. I don't know if I'd count it as a book reference, but I like the idea, since the lack of Ami characterization bugs me from time to time in the musical. I'll be watching for it when I see the tour, then. |
I think you're right, this thread is about things from the book. All the things I have mentioned are standard blocking too. 
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Aimee
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| Colle wrote: | Some more book references that have not been mentioned yet:
Valjean giving young Cosette a doll.
Garvroche saying something like "little people" are good for something.
"Master of the House," that is what some people mistakeningly call Madame Thenardier.
Marius giving Eponine a kiss on the forehead after she dies. |
Oh wow, the doll is a perfect example yes!!! 
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Orestes Fasting
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And Eponine's "I could've been a student too"--referring to her pride in the book over being able to write.
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LesMisForever
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| Orestes Fasting wrote: | | And Eponine's "I could've been a student too"--referring to her pride in the book over being able to write. |
Hello
Actually, i am not convinced about this. When Eponine snatches the book, she holds it upside down suggesting that she can't read. So, it is actually a contradiction rather than refrence.
It is true that in the book she is proud that she can write, but in the musical it just looks like another attempt to draw Marius' attention.
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The Very Angry Woman
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I've actually only seen one Eponine ever do that, and that was 10 years ago.
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little_lotte
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The Very Angry Woman, either you have a vivid memory or pay loads of attention to details; or both 
Bah! I wish I had seen the show at least once  you're so lucky for having had the opportunity to see it so many times
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Kragey
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| The Very Angry Woman wrote: | | I've actually only seen one Eponine ever do that, and that was 10 years ago. |
I've only seen it twice, and it was only well-done once. Maybe the pride comes from her having such a cushy childhood before her family got ratted out?
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Aimee
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I've seen her do both, some do some don't, I guess it depends on the actrress, the director and the performance.
Either way it's still the kind of thing that I meant by this thread, it's a reference to something in the book that's slightly more subtle.
Keep going peeps, it's interesting.
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Colle
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| LesMisForever wrote: | | Orestes Fasting wrote: | | And Eponine's "I could've been a student too"--referring to her pride in the book over being able to write. |
Hello
Actually, i am not convinced about this. When Eponine snatches the book, she holds it upside down suggesting that she can't read. So, it is actually a contradiction rather than refrence.
It is true that in the book she is proud that she can write, but in the musical it just looks like another attempt to draw Marius' attention. |
Out of curiousity, what actresses have you seen do this? It is hard to see this detail unless you are up close, which I have never been when I have seen Les Mis.
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LesMisForever
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Hello
I have seen the show 8 times, and apart from one, or two times i had very good/excellent view.
I must admit neverhless after some reflection that i can't say with 100% certainty that all Eponines held the book upside down.
But the one to watch here is not Eponine. You only know that the book was upside down, because of Marius' action, and how he reposition it.
This scene always gave me the impression that Eponine can't read. I was actually very surprised when i read the book to learn that Eponine can read.
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Fantine
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Maybe there just isn't a meaning to it.
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LesMisForever
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| Fantine wrote: | | Maybe there just isn't a meaning to it. |
hahaha
Indeed Fantine, indeed
But, hey, where would be without speculations? I mean i bet that Shakespeare didn't have in mind all those things written about Hamlet.
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Aimee
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| LesMisForever wrote: | | Fantine wrote: | | Maybe there just isn't a meaning to it. |
hahaha
Indeed Fantine, indeed
But, hey, where would be without speculations? I mean i bet that Shakespeare didn't have in mind all those things written about Hamlet. |
I agree totally. God I wrote some crap about it for my Alevel hehehe 
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Kragey
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| Aimee wrote: | | LesMisForever wrote: | | Fantine wrote: | | Maybe there just isn't a meaning to it. |
hahaha
Indeed Fantine, indeed
But, hey, where would be without speculations? I mean i bet that Shakespeare didn't have in mind all those things written about Hamlet. |
I agree totally. God I wrote some crap about it for my Alevel hehehe |
I've always found Shakespeare easy to bullcrap. When I was a junior in high school, I managed to worm my way in to Shakespeare class, which is only for seniors. The teacher--who was reeeally crazy and I loved it--used to always read my essays to the class, and it was funny as Hell to me, because they were full of junk half of the time.
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Aimee
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A recent one [which wasn't in the original show] is having the young Cosette come on with Eponine in the first Paris scene which many have said represents Azelma. There is no other mention to her in the show so I like this.
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Fantine
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| Aimee wrote: | | A recent one [which wasn't in the original show] is having the young Cosette come on with Eponine in the first Paris scene which many have said represents Azelma. There is no other mention to her in the show so I like this. |
Ah yes. Is that new? I don't remember seeing that last year, only the last time I saw it.
I did think it was Azelma... Altough I did find it a little... weird.
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Aimee
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Yes she's been in the setting since it moved. I guess it doesn't HAVE to be Azelma, but that what I like about the sublte hints. If you are inimate with the story, you see a lot more in the show and if not, it doesn't matter, its just part of the whole colourful performance.
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mizzie
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That's a really interesting idea. Obviously meant for book fans, but still neat for others watching the show.
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DarthRevan00m9
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Umm isn't this sort of pointless considering the WHOLE THING is about the book? Also I just found out some one made a sequal to the book (Not sure if it was Victor Hugo) called Coset. I have it on hold at my local library.
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The Very Angry Woman
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| DarthRevan00m9 wrote: | | Also I just found out some one made a sequal to the book (Not sure if it was Victor Hugo) called Coset. |
Oh, goodness.
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Orestes Fasting
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"Tie this man and take him to the tavern in there"--might or might not count as a mere nod to the book, unsubtle as it is, but it's the only reference to the Corinth in the musical.
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Elin
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A recent one [which wasn't in the original show] is having the young Cosette come on with Eponine in the first Paris scene which many have said represents Azelma.
I last saw the show (in London) in September 2004. While there *is* a little girl on stage with Eponine in Look Down, it's the one who plays young *Eponine* in that performance, not young Cosette.
( I was sitting *very* close and found it easy to recognize her, even though she was now in rags.)
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Aimee
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Sorry, yes I think I meant that. Though actually , I don't see any reason why they can't BOTH come on as beggars, it would be good.
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