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emperor_nero's review against another edition
5.0
review for school (had to keep it spoiler free and brief, so this is what you get):
Most likely you know of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables from its musical adaption, but the 1400+ page novel explores the story’s complexities far deeper. This book follows the interwoven narratives of Fantine, Jean Valjean, Javert, Cosette, Marius, and many (and I mean MANY) more during the first half of the nineteenth century in France, around two decades after the French Revolution. The novel is raw, gritty, and just plain painful, which is unsurprising considering the title can be translated into something along the lines of “The Miserable Ones.” Though the novel starts out slow and Hugo tends to go off on long digressions, the story itself is captivating, and you slowly grow attached to each of the many characters. Though Les Misérables is a huge commitment, it is definitely a book that you should read at least once in your life.
Most likely you know of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables from its musical adaption, but the 1400+ page novel explores the story’s complexities far deeper. This book follows the interwoven narratives of Fantine, Jean Valjean, Javert, Cosette, Marius, and many (and I mean MANY) more during the first half of the nineteenth century in France, around two decades after the French Revolution. The novel is raw, gritty, and just plain painful, which is unsurprising considering the title can be translated into something along the lines of “The Miserable Ones.” Though the novel starts out slow and Hugo tends to go off on long digressions, the story itself is captivating, and you slowly grow attached to each of the many characters. Though Les Misérables is a huge commitment, it is definitely a book that you should read at least once in your life.
avesmaria's review against another edition
5.0
How do I begin to review a book of such historical and literary importance? In short, it is one of those masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel, or one of Beethoven's great symphonies, through which I saw every facet and event of my life deconstructed and reflected back to me in the eyes of its characters and the turns of its plot.
More prosaically, anyone wanting to read Les Misérables should be prepared for a very long book of simultaneous detail and expanse. Hugo goes on a lot of meticulously written diversions to explain every aspect of Paris and the social and physical universe of the book. (All of his sidetracks are, in my opinion, essential aspects of the story's architecture, but people who prefer a more straightforward style will probably not enjoy it as much as I did. I'll also admit I skipped one of the chapters on the battle of Waterloo.) Diversions aside, the expansive scope and central theme of this work - a generations-long meditation on the nature of redemption and the unjust social systems that people either rise above or collapse beneath - holds a message for any age. As long as suffering, evil, punishment, redemption, and love exist, this book will have profound significance to humankind.
More prosaically, anyone wanting to read Les Misérables should be prepared for a very long book of simultaneous detail and expanse. Hugo goes on a lot of meticulously written diversions to explain every aspect of Paris and the social and physical universe of the book. (All of his sidetracks are, in my opinion, essential aspects of the story's architecture, but people who prefer a more straightforward style will probably not enjoy it as much as I did. I'll also admit I skipped one of the chapters on the battle of Waterloo.) Diversions aside, the expansive scope and central theme of this work - a generations-long meditation on the nature of redemption and the unjust social systems that people either rise above or collapse beneath - holds a message for any age. As long as suffering, evil, punishment, redemption, and love exist, this book will have profound significance to humankind.
thegreekmoon's review against another edition
4.0
it felt like a long fucking 2 month car ride but at the end it was worth it.
oliviawrisinger's review against another edition
5.0
Great read. Very heavy though. I would not recommend this book as a first time classical novel. If you loved the musical or movie, you are sure to love this.
kmparsons's review against another edition
1.0
I know that a lot of people like this book, I just found it so boring and way too long. It could've been way shorter, that being said it is a well written book.
smateer73's review against another edition
5.0
This book was really good, Hugo is a master at weaving so many stories together into one narrative. There are definitely points that drag (every street corner in Paris does not need to be explained) but it eventually picks up. It brings to light so many questions about humanity and goodness and the law and religion and so many others.
illyanadallas222's review against another edition
5.0
It took me over 2 months to get through this brick XD
Not because it was 'hard' to read or too 'complicated', but really Volume 1, Fantine's story alongside the neglected Children of France just broke my heart. It was so hard to read and it upset me greatly. Slowly but surely though, the and more I enjoyed Jean Valjean and Cosette. The book was sweetened by the romance between Cosette and Mauris. Which I obviously enjoyed.
But all in all, throughout this read, there was never one moment did the gravitas of the historical context of Paris pre-revolution and how crippled society became, was ever forgone. I don't really know what more to add that brings further acclaim to the novel. Hugo brings this entire monumental novel together beautifully. If Modernism is defined by ironic detachment, this is the ultimate pre-modern work. It's earnest, political, impassioned, comprehensive, and moralistic in the very best sense.
Hugo clearly has a clear thesis to make about human goodness, and it's effort has been rightly canonised in french literature and beyond. This is an epic and almost legendary work, and it stands as one of the best novels ever. And that is fact, not an objective opinion... ;)
Not because it was 'hard' to read or too 'complicated', but really Volume 1, Fantine's story alongside the neglected Children of France just broke my heart. It was so hard to read and it upset me greatly. Slowly but surely though, the and more I enjoyed Jean Valjean and Cosette. The book was sweetened by the romance between Cosette and Mauris. Which I obviously enjoyed.
But all in all, throughout this read, there was never one moment did the gravitas of the historical context of Paris pre-revolution and how crippled society became, was ever forgone. I don't really know what more to add that brings further acclaim to the novel. Hugo brings this entire monumental novel together beautifully. If Modernism is defined by ironic detachment, this is the ultimate pre-modern work. It's earnest, political, impassioned, comprehensive, and moralistic in the very best sense.
Hugo clearly has a clear thesis to make about human goodness, and it's effort has been rightly canonised in french literature and beyond. This is an epic and almost legendary work, and it stands as one of the best novels ever. And that is fact, not an objective opinion... ;)
dnandrews797's review against another edition
5.0
Mon dieu, was this a journey. This rivals War and Peace and The Count of Monte Cristo in terms of large novels, but was it ever excellent. Despite its size and (let’s be honest) frequent tangents, Les Misèrables was a grand epic of a story that grapples with society’s law vs moral law, the different forms of love and sacrifice that exist in the world, and tragedy throughout.
I was throughly moved by every scene and character, especially our hero Jean Valjean. Our antagonists were also equally compelling with the cunning and despicable Thenadier and the upright, lawful-good Javert.
The poetry of the writing is something to look out for also, the phrasing and the way certain scenes are evoked by the author’s word choice is deeply moving.
The only thing wrong with this book is I didn’t read it all in a little bar or coffee shop in Paris.
Despite its size, I’ll probably come back for a reread.
I was throughly moved by every scene and character, especially our hero Jean Valjean. Our antagonists were also equally compelling with the cunning and despicable Thenadier and the upright, lawful-good Javert.
The poetry of the writing is something to look out for also, the phrasing and the way certain scenes are evoked by the author’s word choice is deeply moving.
The only thing wrong with this book is I didn’t read it all in a little bar or coffee shop in Paris.
Despite its size, I’ll probably come back for a reread.
itsgracewillford's review against another edition
1.0
read this book if you want to finish it in a year, at that rate, just watch the musical or the movie. It’s entirely unnecessary and far too descriptive to be remotely captivating.
abrandle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? No
5.0