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zbmorgan's review against another edition
4.0
This is absolutely one of the most under-rated classics of all time. The writing isn't as smooth at times as Dickens, although that could be the translation, but there is so much more here than any musical or film version can capture. While Fantine and Marius and Cosette usually are the focus of the viewer, the reader spends the most time with Jean Valjean, one of the greatest literary heroes of all time. His struggles with how difficult it is to make the right choice - and how impossible it is to make the wrong one - are the epitome of heroism.
Hugo was also light years ahead of his time in the way he talks about crime and equality. During one of the trials, he makes fun of the lawyers who vilify a poor man for stealing bread, because they cannot see the cycle of poverty. We've spent years continuing to not see the cycle of poverty in America and are just beginning to talk about what we can do as a society, not just the occasional individual, so perhaps if more people read and discussed this book, we'd have a different outlook.
Hugo was also light years ahead of his time in the way he talks about crime and equality. During one of the trials, he makes fun of the lawyers who vilify a poor man for stealing bread, because they cannot see the cycle of poverty. We've spent years continuing to not see the cycle of poverty in America and are just beginning to talk about what we can do as a society, not just the occasional individual, so perhaps if more people read and discussed this book, we'd have a different outlook.
fonril's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This may be the most difficult review I've ever had to write. I loved it. It was too long. I was engrossed. I grew tired.
I think now that an abridged version would've been better, but the version I chose had over 1,200 pages, and I'd estimate I skipped at least 300 of them. I loved where the characters were featured, Jean Valjean or Marius or Javert, but entire pages, even whole chapters of incredibly detailed accounts of historical events or background information not vitally necessary for the story had me skipping past them.
I love the musical, I went to see Alfie Boe as Valjean and Michael Ball as Javert while I was reading the book. I love the Valjean of the book even more, it is his story, his heart and soul that fills the pages.
In summary (if anyone exists who does not know the story) Les Miserables is a story of a man, a thief, a convict, an entrepreneur, a benefactor, a father figure who lives a life at battle with his conscience and unable to sit easily with happiness.
He steals to feed his family. He attempts to escape the cruelty of the galleys and has his sentence increased until nineteen years have passed. He is freed as an embittered man and steals again but is spared by a man of god who vouches for him. In gratitude, he works to rebuild his life, to do good. He vows to look after the daughter of a woman who is dying. The daughter, Cosette, gives him a reason to live.
All the while, he is pursued by the darkness of his past and by Inspector Javert, who remembers Valjean from the galleys and will never stop the pursuit of his prey until he has him back behind bars.
It's a remarkable story but I would advise reading an abridged version.
I think now that an abridged version would've been better, but the version I chose had over 1,200 pages, and I'd estimate I skipped at least 300 of them. I loved where the characters were featured, Jean Valjean or Marius or Javert, but entire pages, even whole chapters of incredibly detailed accounts of historical events or background information not vitally necessary for the story had me skipping past them.
I love the musical, I went to see Alfie Boe as Valjean and Michael Ball as Javert while I was reading the book. I love the Valjean of the book even more, it is his story, his heart and soul that fills the pages.
In summary (if anyone exists who does not know the story) Les Miserables is a story of a man, a thief, a convict, an entrepreneur, a benefactor, a father figure who lives a life at battle with his conscience and unable to sit easily with happiness.
He steals to feed his family. He attempts to escape the cruelty of the galleys and has his sentence increased until nineteen years have passed. He is freed as an embittered man and steals again but is spared by a man of god who vouches for him. In gratitude, he works to rebuild his life, to do good. He vows to look after the daughter of a woman who is dying. The daughter, Cosette, gives him a reason to live.
All the while, he is pursued by the darkness of his past and by Inspector Javert, who remembers Valjean from the galleys and will never stop the pursuit of his prey until he has him back behind bars.
It's a remarkable story but I would advise reading an abridged version.
veerlebotter's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
The story was good, well written and interesting.
The only problem I had with the book was how the female characters were written, the whole ‘she was ugly but you could tell she once was beautiful’.
This is probably due to it being written by a man in 1862.
Overall a good book.
The story was good, well written and interesting.
The only problem I had with the book was how the female characters were written, the whole ‘she was ugly but you could tell she once was beautiful’.
This is probably due to it being written by a man in 1862.
Overall a good book.
jeremiah042's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cl9556's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jekaluleka's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible book. Absolutely loved watching these characters' lives intertwine in so many ways. It's length is justified!
comrademun's review against another edition
1.0
DNF - excruciatingly dull to read (I’ll stick to the musical)
theoryofabook's review against another edition
5.0
- Ce n'est rien de mourir ; c'est affreux de ne pas vivre.
Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo
t0astghost's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Look. Is this book incredibly slow due to Hugos irrational need to go on incredibly long tangents about details the average reader has absolutely no need to know? Yes. But is there something about it that I love anyways? Also yes. He mixes political and social commentary with an actual story quite well, technically. He uses the story to prove a point, then explains that point to exhaustion. While I wouldn't say that's technically necessary, I would say its enjoyable. Even so, there is a lot to interpret from it. The cast of characters is incredibly vast and expansive, very tinged with God and realism and informed by Hugos view of the world.
It will always be funny how he finds the need to descibe each of Les Amis personalities, yet revealing their whole names is too far.
I wouldn't say this book is for everyone, but I would say Victor Hugo had a vision and he executed that in a mostly entertaining way. Try it out, see how it feels and maybe it'll have you in it's clutches!
It will always be funny how he finds the need to descibe each of Les Amis personalities, yet revealing their whole names is too far.
I wouldn't say this book is for everyone, but I would say Victor Hugo had a vision and he executed that in a mostly entertaining way. Try it out, see how it feels and maybe it'll have you in it's clutches!
papajones's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25