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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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’ll admit I skimmed some parts a little bit this time around, but in my defense I have actually read the entire thing twice already, so forgive me for bypassing the chunks of pages detailing all the things I never needed to know about, say, the old French sewer system.
This is one of those books that just doesn’t get old. As depressing as it is, Victor Hugo’s story about a dude and some bread is still relevant today. Discussions about mass incarceration, police brutality and corruption, class divides, the struggles of womanhood, the idea of chosen family, the value of kindness, the courage and gall it takes to stand up for what you believe in, the political power of the people, and more.
I think the musical adaptation does a wonderful job of capturing the feeling of this book, and the important parts of the story, but I have to say that I find myself drawn to the book for a couple of reasons. First, the Amis play a much bigger role in the novel (as they should, given it’s a million and one pages long), and second, the character of Éponine is far more interesting and more real. The romanticized stage version is likable to the audience and allows the actress to bang out out a killer song, but there’s something about book Éponine being just a messy, crazy bitch (said with endearment) that I love.
Anyway, five stars out of five. Please read, but give yourself a good month or two to get through it.
This is one of those books that just doesn’t get old. As depressing as it is, Victor Hugo’s story about a dude and some bread is still relevant today. Discussions about mass incarceration, police brutality and corruption, class divides, the struggles of womanhood, the idea of chosen family, the value of kindness, the courage and gall it takes to stand up for what you believe in, the political power of the people, and more.
I think the musical adaptation does a wonderful job of capturing the feeling of this book, and the important parts of the story, but I have to say that I find myself drawn to the book for a couple of reasons. First, the Amis play a much bigger role in the novel (as they should, given it’s a million and one pages long), and second, the character of Éponine is far more interesting and more real. The romanticized stage version is likable to the audience and allows the actress to bang out out a killer song, but there’s something about book Éponine being just a messy, crazy bitch (said with endearment) that I love.
Anyway, five stars out of five. Please read, but give yourself a good month or two to get through it.
Definitely a must read classic. Although Victor Hugo can be occasionally long winded (30 pages over Napoleon & Waterloo) this book was epic. Although I would get the characters occasionally confused, he was able to weave their stories together flawlessly. I loved this book!
Good heavens, this is a loooooong book. I give it five stars because it so brilliantly captures the human condition, but I would have been happy with less exposition about Waterloo and the sewer system of Paris. Still, I did genuinely love the writing and the characters.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It doesn't matter how many times I read this book or watch the musical; this story takes my breath away and brings me close tears each time. It's true that there is a lot of sadness and darkness, but there is also a lot of hope and beautiful truth found in it. Its page count may be intimidating (as are some of the non-story tangents), but it is oh so worth reading.