Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
It was okay, but it could've talked about sewers more...
I am dying inside right now. I just finished Les Miserables and I am in heaven. The fact is, Les Miserables is one of the best books ever written. Now, before I tell you why, I need to explain something.
The reason why I don't write very many book reviews often is because I am horrible with words. I try to express myself but end up using some cliche. And to write - even try to write a proper book review to express how good Les Miserables was is a lost cause. I can't even call it amazing, because it was much more than that.
You feel the characters' pain, you hope for the best even though you know it's worthless, you hate, you love, you just feel. There are some bits that people may find boring, but I think it just makes everything feel more real.
This is the biggest book I have ever read, but it was perfect. Do not be afraid to read it because of its size. I really hope you all enjoy it, too.
The reason why I don't write very many book reviews often is because I am horrible with words. I try to express myself but end up using some cliche. And to write - even try to write a proper book review to express how good Les Miserables was is a lost cause. I can't even call it amazing, because it was much more than that.
You feel the characters' pain, you hope for the best even though you know it's worthless, you hate, you love, you just feel. There are some bits that people may find boring, but I think it just makes everything feel more real.
This is the biggest book I have ever read, but it was perfect. Do not be afraid to read it because of its size. I really hope you all enjoy it, too.
One of the best books I've ever read and I just can't figure out why
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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:
Complicated
I cannot finish reading this book. I have previously read this story, but wanted to read the unabridged book. This is far too descriptive and political for me, and I suffered for it for several months which included time not even reading it. I normally finish books when I start them, but I cannot do this. Les Mis is one of my favorite musicals and books, but not this version.
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
currently reading and enjoying the Victor Hugo classic novel Les Misérables
A wonderful book. A combination of many things--well-drawn characters, page-turning action, strong emotion, social portrait, and philosophical commentary. I did find the later sections a bit weaker than the earlier, particularly those dealing with the love between Marius and Cosette, who are both somewhat dopey. But it kept me reading all the way.
Wow! It's hard to know where to start with this book. Les Misérable by Victor Hugo was absolutely outstanding. Such a phenomenal story and depiction of the 19th century. There is an almost insurmountable amount of information inside but it creates such a vivid world to step into it makes it hard to hold it against Hugo.
While the story itself was enjoyable I must say the chapters where Hugo delves into French society in the 19th century really stood out for me. The book starts with a quote by Hugo “…as long as there are ignorance and poverty on earth, books of this kind may serve some purpose.” and I’d thought that a lofty statement until I read those chapters focused on society. There were numerous instances and quotes that were poignant even today almost 200 years later. I’ll quote a few at the end of the review as not to digress. These chapters create such an immersive experience for the reader that they are what makes the story come alive. They give context and reasoning for all the choices made throughout.
While I won’t say I was happy with everyone’s fates they all felt honest to the characters and story. I was a bit drained towards the end. No matter how much I enjoyed the book 1300+ pages is a lot to get through but I’m glad I stuck with it. It has been a goal of mine to read more classics and while some were misses (Vanity Fair) this is one I will read again and push others to take on. 5 glowing stars from me and I only wish I could more eloquently put into words how impressive this book was.
Side notes/thoughts
- I love the copy I got. For being such a thick book it fell well while reading. Having all the characters illustrated was also fun
- Hugo talks about centaurs at one point and their having human faces and equine breast…are original centaurs just human faces and not upper bodies?!? The reference was speaking about Orpheus epics
Quotes that stuck out to me;
- “…for aside from wars of liberation everything armies do is done by violence. The term “unquestioning obedience” indicates this. An army is a strangely contrived masterpiece by which force results from an enormous amount of powerlessness. This is the explanation of war, waged by humanity against humanity despite humanity”
- “Rightfulness is everlastingly persistent in its protests against such doings. There is no statute of limitations or the theft of a nation. These great swindles have no future. A nation’s identity cannot be removed like the initials on a handkerchief.”
- “A whole schools of politics called ‘the happy medium’ derives from this. Between cold and hot water, this is the party of the lukewarm. In its entirety superficial pseudo-profundity, which analyses the effects without looking at the causes….”
While the story itself was enjoyable I must say the chapters where Hugo delves into French society in the 19th century really stood out for me. The book starts with a quote by Hugo “…as long as there are ignorance and poverty on earth, books of this kind may serve some purpose.” and I’d thought that a lofty statement until I read those chapters focused on society. There were numerous instances and quotes that were poignant even today almost 200 years later. I’ll quote a few at the end of the review as not to digress. These chapters create such an immersive experience for the reader that they are what makes the story come alive. They give context and reasoning for all the choices made throughout.
While I won’t say I was happy with everyone’s fates they all felt honest to the characters and story. I was a bit drained towards the end. No matter how much I enjoyed the book 1300+ pages is a lot to get through but I’m glad I stuck with it. It has been a goal of mine to read more classics and while some were misses (Vanity Fair) this is one I will read again and push others to take on. 5 glowing stars from me and I only wish I could more eloquently put into words how impressive this book was.
Side notes/thoughts
- I love the copy I got. For being such a thick book it fell well while reading. Having all the characters illustrated was also fun
- Hugo talks about centaurs at one point and their having human faces and equine breast…are original centaurs just human faces and not upper bodies?!? The reference was speaking about Orpheus epics
Quotes that stuck out to me;
- “…for aside from wars of liberation everything armies do is done by violence. The term “unquestioning obedience” indicates this. An army is a strangely contrived masterpiece by which force results from an enormous amount of powerlessness. This is the explanation of war, waged by humanity against humanity despite humanity”
- “Rightfulness is everlastingly persistent in its protests against such doings. There is no statute of limitations or the theft of a nation. These great swindles have no future. A nation’s identity cannot be removed like the initials on a handkerchief.”
- “A whole schools of politics called ‘the happy medium’ derives from this. Between cold and hot water, this is the party of the lukewarm. In its entirety superficial pseudo-profundity, which analyses the effects without looking at the causes….”