LOL... and so many people wonder why I suggest slogging through the long version of the book.
One bored night years ago when I was working as a security guard, I tool the details of Marius' budget... and other prices mentioned in the book... and figured out how much they've changed over the years.
I re-calculated everything as a percentage of yearly income for a book translator (which was his job at the time). Figuring a newbie translator with no other responsibilities probably made around 30-40k a year in the mid-1990's, I came to the following conclusions:
The price of a suit of mens' clothing has remained relatively constant.
Food is (about 3-6 times) MORE expensive today.
Rent is (2-4 times) MORE expensive today.
The only thing in fact, that saw it's price drop (a LOT) is a cab fare across town. Marius' coach across Paris would have cost some $1200 with $400 down before the door even opened. Even figuring it was equivalent to a high end limo, this is still way more expensive than today.
I just with I remembered what I calculated a sous to be... I think it was like $1.73 or something. I remember his meal of half a bottle of wine, half a loaf of bread, eggs, sausage, and toast was about $1.73... a $10+ meal today.
It's the details that I think make Les Miserables so fascinating...
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One bored night years ago when I was working as a security guard, I tool the details of Marius' budget... and other prices mentioned in the book... and figured out how much they've changed over the years.
I re-calculated everything as a percentage of yearly income for a book translator (which was his job at the time). Figuring a newbie translator with no other responsibilities probably made around 30-40k a year in the mid-1990's, I came to the following conclusions:
The price of a suit of mens' clothing has remained relatively constant.
Food is (about 3-6 times) MORE expensive today.
Rent is (2-4 times) MORE expensive today.
The only thing in fact, that saw it's price drop (a LOT) is a cab fare across town. Marius' coach across Paris would have cost some $1200 with $400 down before the door even opened. Even figuring it was equivalent to a high end limo, this is still way more expensive than today.
I just with I remembered what I calculated a sous to be... I think it was like $1.73 or something. I remember his meal of half a bottle of wine, half a loaf of bread, eggs, sausage, and toast was about $1.73... a $10+ meal today.
It's the details that I think make Les Miserables so fascinating...