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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
3.5/5 On one hand, so many tangents. On the other hand, sometimes the tangents paid off in really cool ways. On one hand, pretty much everyone was a shallow jerk. On the other hand, Jean Valjean was a great guy... in some senses. (Also Cosette was too shallow to be a jerk, so that’s neutral I guess?). It was big! It was sprawling! The female characterization was terrible! It was funny at times! Therefore, mixed feelings.
Even in translation, Hugo's sense of language and the human condition is incredible. Though it's a little sad to say, this book will always be full of themes relevant to modern day. If you can commit to reading it (or listening to the audiobook), do so.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
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
I finally got through the unabridged version. My first reading was somewhat mildly abridged, but still long.
I love this story, the way it is written, etc. but I'll admit that I like the abridged version better. The story tells the morals better than all the history and philosophizing Victor Hugo adds, which only muddies the themes for any non-infinitely-patient-reader, in my opinion, and would turn many away from an otherwise captivating read.
I love this story, the way it is written, etc. but I'll admit that I like the abridged version better. The story tells the morals better than all the history and philosophizing Victor Hugo adds, which only muddies the themes for any non-infinitely-patient-reader, in my opinion, and would turn many away from an otherwise captivating read.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
inspiring
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
I love the musical and so enjoyed experiencing its origin, especially uncovering details missed in compressing the story to fit the stage.
The characters are well formed, the plot interesting, with strong sociopolitical commentary. Incredibly clever connections and twists.
However, there is such a thing as too much context. 60 pages introducing the priest who instigates Valjean's enlightenment, 60 pages about the Napoleonic Wars to set up Thénardier and Marius. A couple pages for each would have sufficed.
It’s also a product of its time so some outdated social standards and terminology, though a great deal of the content and political criticisms remain relevant today.
The characters are well formed, the plot interesting, with strong sociopolitical commentary. Incredibly clever connections and twists.
However, there is such a thing as too much context. 60 pages introducing the priest who instigates Valjean's enlightenment, 60 pages about the Napoleonic Wars to set up Thénardier and Marius. A couple pages for each would have sufficed.
It’s also a product of its time so some outdated social standards and terminology, though a great deal of the content and political criticisms remain relevant today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
If your review says “boring”, “skipped the battle of Waterloo/sewers chapter” (around 10% of the book) or “would have been good in it’s time” (250 years ago) it is NOT a 5* review.
You’re lying to yourself, and more importantly you convinced me this wouldn’t be as terrible as it was.