something something rain at Waterloo

Nicholas or Courf, any/all, mid-20s Certified Marius Hater - Mainly Boats and Les Mis PFP art by PilferingApples

[courfeyracs-umbrella]

could you share some more excerpts (or anything else you wish) from your disability in les mis panel? it sounds very interesting, but sadly i wasn't able to attend the con, so if you were to tell us anything else, I'd love to read it :)

Hi Anon!

Ty for your message. I’m sorry you couldn’t attend the Con. I’ve put a couple more pieces up here, I hope you find them interesting:)

[courfeyracs-umbrella]

A couple more little pieces from my BarricadesCon presentation, as requested! I hope people get something from them:)

(idk, I might share the full written piece at some point, but there’s a couple of parts I’d want to rework/clarify first, after all the discussion/feedback at the con /pos)

On Valjean’s PTSD:

While Hugo would not have been working with our modern day understandings, there have been accounts throughout history of what we would now understand as PTSD. In the 1800s, there was recognition of soldiers who experienced symptoms during or post-combat.

As Bellos* states, given his demonstrations of strength, we can say Valjean is physically healthy, the sole exception being that he limps slightly with his left leg due to having been attached to a chain for so long. He does not appear to have any other physical impairment. However, I believe we can read Valjean as having Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Valjean's Post-Traumatic Stress does not come from combat; it comes from his time in prison. Valjean exhibits traits corresponding to PTSD, such as guilt, self-hatred, hyper-vigilance, avoidance, distrust, and difficulties communicating.

When he witnesses the cortège, I read Valjean as experiencing a flashback. Quoting the chapter: 'Jean Valjean’s eyes had assumed a frightful expression. They were no longer eyes; they were those deep and glassy objects which replace the glance in the case of certain wretched men, which seem unconscious of reality, and in which flames the reflection of terrors and of catastrophes. He was not looking at a spectacle, he was seeing a vision. He tried to rise, to flee, to make his escape; he could not move his feet. Sometimes, the things that you see seize upon you and hold you fast.'

This is not just Valjean experiencing fear at what he sees, but he is being transported back to a traumatic event. He is no longer aware of where he is and that he is safe. The memory has a profound emotional and physical toll on him which continues past the moment itself. He isn't able to discuss the cortège with Cosette, disassociated and unable to talk about his traumatic memories. I cannot say how much Hugo knew about what we now call PTSD, or the psychological effects of trauma, especially outside of combat situations, but personally, I feel Valjean comes across as an impressive portrayal. He displays recognisable characteristics and behaviours which can develop from trauma. We could argue that these traits are partially responsible for his self-isolation and death at the end of the novel. However, with little understanding of the condition and treatment, as well as the stigma of the label of ex-prisoner, how much can we expect Valjean to be able to deal with his trauma on his own?

PTSD is a mental health condition; it doesn't necessarily have any outward signs. Yet Valjean's trauma does leave a physical mark on him: his limp. There are two ways we could see this, either as a purely physical effect of the chain, or as more psychosomatic, influenced by his mental state. We know mental health and physical health can and do influence each other. Valjean's death is even linked to his emotional state: he dies of a broken heart. I'm not going to argue either way on the cause of his limp; what is of more interest to me is how it features as a physical signifier of his ex-prisoner status. Javert says 'your leg, which you drag a little' was one of the reasons he believed Madeleine to be Valjean. Evidently, this must be a common enough consequence for Javert to use it as evidence. Despite overhauling his identity, this one physical difference is enough to make him suspect. Knowledge of that would no doubt make him more afraid of recognition and recapture. He cannot escape the psychological effects of his time in prison, but he is also physically marked by this trauma.

Many other characters in the novel experience significant trauma and can be read as having PTSD or C-PTSD. For example, Cosette has a 'confused recollection of her childhood' and feels responsible for others' emotions. While Marius is recovering from his injuries at the Barricades, there is a line about them not knowing whether his brain will be affected by his injury; while this is probably intended to mean a physical brain injury, it could also be read as psychological consequences.

On Fantine & Ideal Victimhood:

One of the most well-known examples of disability in 19th century literature is the Consumptive. Consumption, or tuberculosis, is a bacterial disease and was one of the leading causes of death and disability in the 19th century, so it's no wonder it features in so much literature. Though there are multiple types of TB, it most commonly affects the lungs, and, in media especially, coughing blood is used to telegraph a character has TB. Some people could survive years with the disease, but a cure would not be found until the next century.

While Fantine is never explicitly stated to have tuberculosis, there are enough similarities for us to do a reading of her character in relation to this. Fantine has an ambiguous long-term progressive ailment causing a short, dry cough, chest pain, fever, and sweating, all of which are symptoms of TB. Whether or not Hugo intended her to have TB, it is often interpreted that way. For example, it is the condition implied in 1964's I Miserabili and in the 1980s musical Fantine says she coughs blood. In 1819, Dr Laënnec published his findings of the cause of tuberculosis, influencing how it and other pulmonary conditions were understood (Laënnec actually gets an explicit mention in Les Mis from Hugo when Fantine is in hospital).

The figure of the 'Consumptive' developed their own set of stereotypes, both in literature and forced onto real-life people who had the disease. The Consumptive was expected to be someone sensitive, sentimental, and spiritual. Their suffering gives them special insight. These may be positive associations, but it is nonetheless still dehumanising to stereotype and make disabled people's existence to provide moral teaching to others: see how good they are even while suffering. As TB was incurable, consumptive characters cannot be anything but a doomed victim. But this victimhood has conditions, as Tankard** explores in her book on the subject of TB in 19th century literature. The Consumptive must be gentle, uncomplaining about their pain, and ever grateful to the able-bodied. Should they not behave in this way, behave as they are expected to by the able-bodied, then sympathy is no longer obligated.

In certain aspects, Fantine does fit this model: she is a victim both to society, the Thénardiers, and her illness, and is martyred for the sake of her daughter. She is a tragic figure. She is at the mercy of Valjean's kindness and charity. But Hugo does gives her agency to break away from the traditional model of the idealised victim. Fantine is never passive. Before her arrest, Fantine has to be economically independent. She stands up for herself, and goes so far as to physically attack Bamatabois. At first, she is resentful and insults Valjean. In other situations, this might be inappropriate for what is expected of the Consumptive, but we are still sympathetic to Fantine. I argue Fantine both fulfils and rejects the stereotype of the Ideal Victim used for consumptive characters.

There is one other aspects which perhaps allows Fantine more grace in her behaviour. She is a woman. The invalid is weak, therefore feminine. Of course, this is entirely based on sexism and enforced gender roles, but Tankard writes the identification of the invalid as female could at times allow women to subvert their enforced roles while still appearing as the epitome of selfless womanhood. Fantine is a mother, the ultimate example of motherhood, as she dies to save her child. Gender adds additional dimensions to how disability is viewed.

*David Bellos – The Novel of the Century

**Alex Tankard – Tuberculosis & Disabled Identity in Nineteenth Century Literature: Invalid Lives

[seracadash]

My hate for the military vs my love for the 🫡 emoji

[courfeyracs-umbrella]

Joly Analysis – A Play on Molière!

(segment from my Disability in Les Mis barricadescon panel)

In the past, there's been debate as to whether Joly is or isn't disabled. I'd argue that he is. Joly is a comic character, even in situations unrelated to his health, but he isn't unsympathetic. Personally, I interpret him as having some form of chronic illness and some nebulous anxiety disorder. Hypochondria, a mental health condition in itself, is implied, but this doesn't negate the existence of another disability, and the disabled experience of having one's concerns dismissed or being accused of hypochondria or malingering is not uncommon. Those 'faking disability' appear in Hugo's works too.

Joly is referred to as 'le malade imaginare.' Now used for what we would call hypochondria, the term originates from Molière's 1637 play of the same title. Molière's play follows the character Argan. Joly's description makes him the anti-Argan. Argan is old, Joly is young. Argan is irritable and 'ill-natured'; Joly is agreeable and cheerful. Argan is miserly; Joly allows his friend to live off him. Most notably, Argan is not actually ill. While Joly may be eccentric and obsessive, he is explicitly described as being 'malingre', sickly, and is ill in one of the chapters. Argan becomes a doctor because '[t]here is no disease bold enough to dare to attack the person of a doctor,' whereas '[w]hat [Joly] had won in medicine was to be more of an invalid than a doctor.' The disease does attack the doctor.

Argan himself comes from the Commedia dell'arte stock character of Il Doctore, the doctor, a character who was often old and academic, and whose cures were unpleasant. Molière was strongly critical of the medical establishment of his time and in his plays criticised doctors as being self-righteous, opaque, and intentionally taking advantage of their higher-learning over others despite not actually being able to help anyone. Molière, who had TB, lived several centuries before Hugo, so was writing about a different climate. Molière's and Hugo's respective feelings towards the medical establishment come out through their characters. Joly is far more sympathetic than Argan or any of Molière's doctors. He is intelligent, and his scientific knowledge, rather than being useless, is what Enjolras needs him for. Scientific and medical progress are an aspect of the revolution. Hugo was conscious of the medical advancements of his day. Joly, while a comic character, represents Hugo's hopes and respect for the medical field. The medical field has often ignored disabled voices; it is refreshing that here it should be represented by a disabled character.

Thank you to everyone who listened to my panel! Below are two of my favourite Jolys, Olivier LeBeau from Les Mis '72 & Bastien Jacquemart from the 2024 Châtelet revival.

[barricadescon]

IT'S HERE! The list of panels , activities and meetups for Barricades Con! I'll be posting more info about each panel over the days to come, as well as a text list of the panels! You can register to see them all right here!

[sinni-ok-sessi]

I do think the ability to emoji-react is a net win for human communication. not only does it give you an outlet for 'I see and acknowledge this but don't have a verbal response' but it also adds a pleasing alethiometer element to things

my coworker announces that he's off to the dentist. someone reacts with a tooth emoji. is this a statement of dentist solidarity? a wish for my coworker to return with more (or fewer?) teeth than he set out with? simple word association? who can say

[the-golden-vanity]

Peruvian sail training barque BAP Unión, the largest currently-sailing tall ship in the Western Hemisphere*, in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for the Maryland Sail 250 tall ship festival. June 27, 2026.

Swedish sail training schooner HMS Gladan is visible in the first photo for scale.

Photos ©️ @the-golden-vanity.

*Four-masted barque Moshulu is slightly longer, but is permanently docked in Philadelphia.

[kuniidealz]

this is some racist bullshit, and even if you're not into les mis, this needs to be spoken about.

the 40th anniversary album of les mis pre-order is out, and on this, jordan shaw (the black actor playing enjolras) has been replaced with a white actor. the entire thing is directly recorded from the stage 40th show, and yet they've cut out jordan and replaced him with james gish. ONLY jordans songs have been changed!! no shade to james because he's also extremely talented but hes not jordan? he didn't play enjolras in the 40th? and the fact that only jordans songs have been changed makes this just UGH. this is terrible and we need to do something about it

i am also not the type of person to say "we need to do something about this" and stay silent, so do something! I sure as hell am!!! make a fuss about this!! post about it and yell about it and find the "contact us" page on the distributor form, and if you're feeling kind, shoot jordan a kind word on insta at jordanshawuk. this is bullshit and something needs to be done.

jordan did am AMAZING job in his role and truly captured tje joy and passion that is our enjolras. its meant so much to so many fans to see a person of color playing enj who rarely see themselves represented in such ways. so. throw a fit. make a fuss and yell about this <3

[lesmiserables-adaptations]

“Do You Hear The People Sing?” clip from the 2026 French Production tour (Théâtre du Châtelet) at Lille.

[courfeyracs-umbrella]

Random (likely incoherent) collection of thoughts I had during/after LM au Châtelet the other day. I just had to put them somewhere!! All just my opinions obv!

General

-the Châtelet theatre was a beautiful building

- Apparently the designing was linked to Dante's inferno (esp. Doré) - would love to know more about this

- I'm going to have to compare the lyrics more to see all the changes

- costumes 💜 were amazing. I want one of those coats

- overall I had a great view just a little obstructed - this mainly comes into play when I get very specific about 1 minor character bc he happened to be directly in front of me quite often

- the cast seemed to be having so much fun!! Especially at the end/bows

- I'm not a massive theatre goer so maybe this is done other places too but first time I'd encountered the lyrics 'subtitled'. I thought it was cool, good for accessibility - making accessibility features general and not an afterthought helps everyone

- some of this maybe applies to other versions of the musical, was just what I remarked upon :)

Act I

- Loved the boat being a moving set piece and being physically pulled in to dock. Lots of the staging was fun! Also the inn folding up into a little box

- Dates & places at each change - I so think the play can be confusing if it's your first time with the story

- One of the Bishop's lines is changed to something like 'It's [Valjean] you should believe'. much to think about.

- Sideways would've hated the passport bit not being in time haha

- Loved Javert, Valjean, & Fantine (though I did think Valjean looked quite young to me!). All the cast were wonderful :)

- glassworks furnace! Nice adaptation of the factory, lots of little details (idk how they actually make glass beads)

- other woman straight up tries to strangle Fantine

- someone in the audience laughed during one of the SA parts. Maybe it was discomfort but :/

- When Fantine is arrested the other sex workers (& 1 working man?) try to protect her. Thought it was a nice touch given the themes of complicity that were emphasised. There was definitely a line on it somewhere (i.e. complicity in what happens in society if we have power to change it)

- some of the lyric changes I noticed seemed more explicitly political (? - the French lyrics are in general anyway) or directly speaking to the audience - which does get neglected - remember when people got angry there was a protest…during the protest musical ? - especially liked the paupers in the aisles during Bonjour Paris, directly speaking to the audience - bringing back the radical politics to LM which the musical especially (unfortunately) has contributed to diluting. But that's a whole big discussion of its own

- That said some of the lyric changes felt unnecessary - and made it less lyrical/flowy?

- loved the new staging. It felt so novel. Also using the entire stage & having more people around, e.g. Champmathieu being dragged past Valjean during Comment Faire/Le Procès or there being other patients with Fantine in the hospital. I can understand why some people might not like that in some of the solos but I thought it helped emphasis it's not just a story about individuals but society. The inclusion of a 'wider world' – that the characters affect by their (in)actions (complicity again)

- Appreciated the changes to the opening lines of Tu Viens Chéri - I just didn't like the OG French sailors' lines

- idk if I can say Fantine's Arrest is underrated? But I just really like it as a piece

- Javert threatening the nuns (& JVJ) with a carbine was a choice that was made

- Little Cosette was so sweet! Also baby Eponine showing off her doll to customers 😢

- Little laughter for Mme T's entrance compared to London. I appreciated it. Can't say why, maybe more knowledge of the source material? I think the Thenardiers can be comic characters but not the child abuse (!)

- Why was Montparnasse at Montfermeil?? Isn't he like 20 in Paris? At least they didn't give him a relationship with Eponine after that. Personally didn't find the Montparnasse stuff funny, thought it was a bit over the top

- Snow!! Would have preferred more little Cosette and Valjean to the Thenardiers there but oh well - like when they have a little dance together

- So many open flames!! I'm sure they knew what they were doing but was terrifying to watch people's sleeves just hanging next to massive flames

- Lots of canes in Bonjour Paris. Obviously fashion of the time i just thought was interesting. I feel Bamatobois & maybe Valjean are often the only ones who get them

- Cosette's looking at Valjean like WTF? during Bonjour Paris when he's interacting with Javert – I find the actresses always do the most they can with what they're given to try & increase Cosette's character

- stars lyric changes :/

- for some reason the 'those who falter or those who fall must pay the price' line hit me hard this time. It's so sad and it feels like it's not an uncommon worldview even now. Was also thinking about it when seeing Javert in the finale

- French lyrics remain better, I am a French lyrics enjoyer. Especially the song Poupée dans la Vitrine and the finale reprise

- In Bonjour Paris, Thenardier refers to himself as a mouchard (spy) to Javert. This bit isn't on the 91 recording so don't know if it's new but thought it was interesting - something something police working with criminals if useful to them – of course Javert rejects this but it is a discussion in the book

- background plot of the Musain waiter joining the revolution is cool but also felt a bit like cutting out the few women this story has

- Cosette's waistcoat + rolled up sleeves combo was a good look

- I loved Valjean spotlighted and looking lost in the centre of the stage during Le Grand Jour as everything else (Paris) happens around him.

- Prouvaire's little dried flower bookmark !

- One of the children messed up their lines. The audience gave them a little encouraging interim applause and the actors seemed to be making sure they were ok :( hope they're ok, they did really well and continued even after realising their mistake

Act II

- At the start of Mon Histoire Eponine is amongst others interacting with each other :(

- Not specific to this but I don't like how they did Eponine in the musical, completely defined by Marius

- Grantaire tries to volunteer to get information

- Feuilly gets injured :( and then hugs Grantaire during Souviens-toi :( :(

- MUSICHETTA! - I may be delusional but I'm pretty sure it's her. After they say good-bye Joly has a moment with a guy I've decided is Lesgle - the musicals (in general) hate Lesgle :( let him exist

- Joly (I'm 90% sure I identified him correctly - if I'm wrong idc just let me have this 😭) getting materials when he sees Eponine is injured

- Joly and his pocket watch. Think he even tries to get watch out after he's shot (for pulse, presumably) Does anyone remember that meta about how Joly's mirror is foreshadowing they'll all die? I've always thought it would be diabolical if there was a stanging where his mirror gets taken from his corpse. Anyway Thenardier takes his pocket watch (pain & misery!)

- I have a lot of opinions on Joly for reasons I'm not getting into here lol

- Valjean showing Javert sewers as an escape route lol

- Enjolras & the Amis cheering at Javert's execution, interesting ... On one hand I do find some of the anti-violence depoliticising but on other Enjolras didn't want to kill le Cabuc but it was necessary & Enjolras only agrees to kill Javert after the failed hostage negotiation ... Complex but subject I find really interesting

- Was the sniper bit gone? Or did I miss it - kind of important that valjean doesn't kill but also not necessarily always clear in EN musical either - the 91 recording doesn't seem to have it either

- The white flag (for the women & fathers leaving the barricade) was a nice touch - emphasises it a bit more. I think some ppl miss it (& 2012 fucks it up). Enjolras & co don't want unnecessary death & suffering - but I've often seen this employed as a critique of Enjolras

- Marius using his coat as a little blankie

- Where was grantaire at the end ??? Did I miss him ??

- Valjean moved about a lot during Comme un Homme, some may dislike as its a departure from how it's traditionally done but I quite liked how the actor did it

- Gavroche's dying gasping :(

- Enjolras devastated by Gavroche's death

- Tooth cracking sound as it's pulled out aah

- Valjean vs Thenardier in the sewers on 2 platforms moving away from each other was cool

- The body being dragged off stage with a rope tied to its ankles was funny

- I think they changed some of Tourne's lyrics. Better with lyric changes but still ... Staging great tho (people carrying stretchers & searching for loved ones)

- They had silhouettes during Seul Devant ces Tables Vides - unfortunately I couldn't see full effect

- I had a completely irrational hope they would bring back the original ending from 1980 when Marius is a dick to Valjean. Obviously they did not do this. Cowards /j

- Was thinking about PilferingApples excellent meta on the Thenardiers being removed from the ball in the 2012 film as they took over the wedding

- The maestro/maestra bit was nice, get to acknowledge the orchestra more - which is so deserved! Also the Thenardiers already speak directly to audience so I didn't mind the 4th wall break

- They kept the Jew/f-g line (literally how it was translated on the screen which was uh...) – which is stil better than the 'less offensive' English one which is just pure homophobic - I hate how they changed the EN one (I'm queer btw)

- Fantine gives Valjean the book at end, adding to implication in the musical he is giving Cosette her history

- Javert being in heaven is okay, you can make arguments for & against - but not the Thenardiers - I get it's for the final number but that took me out

Congrats if you made it through this! Pls come talk to me about LM!

[courfeyracs-umbrella]

Take 2: 2 Misérables 2 French (is this anything?)

Note: this isn't a review, though I adore this show, just observations on things I noticed this time round, mainly for my own sake. I had such a great view this time!

- The ensemble cast my beloved 💜💜💜 Also props to the lighting team, so much going on there

- During 'Who Am I', the projector screen had kind of an ink blot-thing, moving similar to the emotional intensity. At first there was also what looked like a face looking down (God? Myriel? Valjean himself?)

- Fantine's costume made her considerably lighter/seperate to the rest of workers in their darker blue smocks when she was thrown out

- I think the actor for the pimp is the man who plays Thenardier lol

- The Sisters with their other patients was lovely - especially shielding & comforting them when Javert came after JVJ - noticed one of them hid the gun in the bedding after Javert dropped it

- The Return of the Foldable Inn! Honestly one of my favourite things, it's so cool! They just pack up the set

- My most sincere apologies to Montparnasse's actor, I wasn't familiar with your game. Iconic performance: checking others' outfits, silly little dance routine, camp as hell

- Eponine's errand: Gavroche is listening to her sing before the students come and collect him. When she's singing with Marius, there's a silhouetted couple - comes back later in her being isolated in 'On My Own'

- historically inaccurate cigarette ?

- ship masts (physical props!) in the background of the docks

- not only do the other sex workers try to protect Fantine, one of them also spits at Bamatabois when he passes, & they try to warn the pimp about him - one of them also eavesdrops on Javert's convo w/ JVJ, bc no-one is paying attention to her, & then goes & gossips lol

- Thenardiers' customer they con wasn't visibly disabled (I've written on this somewhere before), but many crutches & someone who appeared blind during 'Bonjour Paris'

- No Stanley Kassa :'( was disappointed when I realised, though of course the guy who replaced him (Courf before?) was good - Kassa is just my fav Enjolras

- Jacquemart's Joly means everything to me, you have no idea. Prancing around, very familiar with the others, but then panicking & bringing out the little pocketwatch when they find out Lemarque is dead 😢 And he gives his coat to Musichetta when it starts raining & tries & fails to light the fire. Joly, where is your umbrella? (sorry, I had to)

- Prouvaire's pressed flower bookmark 💜 At one point he vaults across the stage to hug Combeferre

- Intro to sewers Thenardier was wandering the audience. I love his weird hairstyle - could I pull it off? Marius coat was also noticeably filthy during that part

- Barricade shots are signalled by spotlights at characters

- When they build the barricade, they have them putting together little items, before the screen comes up to reveal the full thing

- When Javert comes back, he's out of breath and a woman runs to get him a cup of water. Also Enjolras pushing Feuilly's gun down when he's taunting them

- Gavroche crying when he's dying :(

- Both Feuilly & Joly get shot in the neck/shoulder, Feuilly during first attack, Joly just before Gavroche goes out

- Cosette does an ableism by taking Marius' walking stick as he's using it and putting it away on the other side of the stage (/j)

- Marius says Valjean could be the father he didn't have (qui ma manqué) :(

- Gay guest had a fight with his wife at the wedding, but didn't catch himself a boyfriend (have heard there are versions where he does)

- JVJ in bed at end being cared for by nuns reminded me of how Fantine's death was staged - both after they've lost their child

- In the finale JVJ & Javert hold Gavroche's hands between them

[courfeyracs-umbrella]

Going to see my show again this weekend! Yay! Yippee!

[melannen]

Les Amis polyship steal for @lesmisshippingshowdown (mods, I'm assuming tcg cards count as .1 for either photoshop or game element?)

[melannen]

@lesmisshippingshowdown Turnchetta steal for lmss!

[leona-florianova]

anatomy of this wind-propelled colonial organism confounds me

[the-wraxall-illustrations]

[kingcatnine]

the thing about nonfiction is you come out of it with several more books to put on your to be read list and it's only gonna branch out from there so really the only solution is to read every book in human history starting at the beginning

[dearhadrian]

Greetings from Town-on-Gorkhon!