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mchl_btt's review against another edition
5.0
Il conte di Montecristo più lirico e più credibile. Jean Valjean Captain America, ma senza i capelli biondi, grazie per avermi fatto piangere tutte le mie lacrime. Un solo appunto: stupende le digressioni di Hugo, interessantissime e incredibilmente dettagliate. Ecco forse a me delle fogne di Parigi non interessava molto nel momento di massimo pathos post combattimento sulle barricate.
naomijoyhull's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I read/listened to the first half (except Waterloo), then used an abridged guide to skip the extra stuff in the second half. Very good, some great observations and beautiful prose on human nature, good, evil, life and death, but not worth the many many tangents 😂
josephsteane's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
morgtamm22's review against another edition
4.0
The good parts of this book are so good! The historical fluff parts of this book are so fluffy! 🙃
theadorek9's review
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
verydazedragon's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One thing: it was very difficult to get through some portions of the book because I have no interest in the French Revolution. Nor do I have any interest in the language of Argot or how the sewers in France reflects the social structure. But the plot, in it of itself, was exquisite. The recounting of the bishop hooked me, and the portion that told a Fantine and her flight actually had me in tears. What I like about this writing, is that even the most despicable characters are written with an attitude of compassion and pity. There were a lot of emotional scenes in the book, but the scene that elicited the most reaction from me was when that poor little boy died for a cause that he was too young to understand.
kelhutch68's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Very, very, very long…. but make the time commitment. This is a very well-written classic that pulls you into the world of the oppressed in France from 1815 – 1832.
This book had been on my TBR forever and I finally went all in because I had tickets to the theatrical performance. Over the last month, I listened to the audiobook, watched two movies, and saw the play. I highly recommend reading the book before viewing movies or play to understand the backdrop of the story and the intertwined relationships of the characters. It will make you appreciate the other media so much more.
Though the story was a heart wrenching discussion of the immense suffering of the lower class in France during the time, it is also a beautiful story of love, sacrifice, and hope. And, as a bonus, a history lesson that includes politics, religion, social structure, fashion, and architecture. (Though I could have done without the hour plus on the discussion of the sewer system.)
The cast of characters was a diverse mix of heroes and villians. I loved the characters of Jean Valjean, Fantine, and Javert--Jean Valjean for his struggle and redemption, Fantine for her sacrifice, and Javert for his unbending moral code. I did not like Cosette as she seemed trite, and I thought Marius was too much of a follower. I really disliked the Thénardiers in the book and movies but loved them in the play as they were comedic.
The book was emotionally exhausting and there were times I almost threw in the towel due to the detail, but I am really glad I pushed through. When I finished, I really appreciated all that Victor Hugo put into this book. His compassion for the lower classes and his knowledge of a variety of subjects shone through.
greatingsburg's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
much much much too long
besnovaniye's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5