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hannahgruber's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.0
Honestly, this one really dragged in a way the first part didn't. I also really dont like Marius, and a lot of this half centers around him. Jean Valjean is clearly Hugo's favorite and best character, so its too bad this half doesnt feature him more.
carlq's review
5.0
A fantastic finalisation to the story. An in depth tale that explores characters as they undergo huge emotional, social and romantic conflicts. Suffering remorse for past sins, battling against social and monarchical disagreements and looking to repay old debts. The characters each have their own intricate and exciting stories that are deeply intertwined with one another. You'll find yourself in love, scared, remorseful, full of regret and full of hope throughout the book.
The characters all have a depth and motivation that you understand and appreciate but may not always agree with there is not a single character whose story you do not enjoy reading, even the "villains" of the tale have detailed motivations and well characterised stories. In addition, the Parisian setting itself acts as an additional character enhancing the atmosphere and allowing you to paint a detailed picture in your minds eye as the events unfold. Hugo does continue to explore certain aspects of the setting with a much deeper history that seems necessary yet does add to the overall picture created as you read, these chapters do stand out and occasionally pull you out of the main story but they are important for a first read but perhaps something to skim over with future rereads.
Overall: An exciting and engaging read that leaves you wanting to return to the beginning the moment you have finished. A true classic tale that you will be glad to have completed.
The characters all have a depth and motivation that you understand and appreciate but may not always agree with there is not a single character whose story you do not enjoy reading, even the "villains" of the tale have detailed motivations and well characterised stories. In addition, the Parisian setting itself acts as an additional character enhancing the atmosphere and allowing you to paint a detailed picture in your minds eye as the events unfold. Hugo does continue to explore certain aspects of the setting with a much deeper history that seems necessary yet does add to the overall picture created as you read, these chapters do stand out and occasionally pull you out of the main story but they are important for a first read but perhaps something to skim over with future rereads.
Overall: An exciting and engaging read that leaves you wanting to return to the beginning the moment you have finished. A true classic tale that you will be glad to have completed.
regitzexenia's review
5.0
Reviewed on my blog: Bookish Love Affair.
What can I even say? I mean, how do you boil down a book this long, this intricate and this full of intermation and story and characters in a review that won't be too long?
I honestly don't know.
Les Misérables is a wonderful book. It is a story of love, romantic and familiar, redemtption, honesty, patriotism. Life in general, told in a totally non-general story. A story of human nature.
It is a long book, which is why it is in two volumes in this edition - and probably others. But is also a really heavy novel, I think part of the reason why 'classics' are often deemed too difficult to bother reading is the way they are written. In this book for instance, Victor Hugo often spends chapter after chapter describing the scenery, the Paris sewers, the life of a character barely in the story and an entire chapter on the battle of Waterloo,before it is made entirely clear why.
But it works. It probably shouldn't, not by today's standards, but it does.
The chapters are pretty short, so it is easy to feel like you've made a lot of headway. And I don't know, despite it being a long read, page wise, it never really felt like a long read, time wise.
I cannot not recommend this book. I really enjoyed reading it this month, even when it might have felt drawn out and just too-damn-slow, plot wise (because sometimes, it is. Hugo gets a lot of information across, but if you're looking for a plot-driven story, don't chose this one).
So put it on your list. Read it.
I am sure, you won't regret it.
What can I even say? I mean, how do you boil down a book this long, this intricate and this full of intermation and story and characters in a review that won't be too long?
I honestly don't know.
Les Misérables is a wonderful book. It is a story of love, romantic and familiar, redemtption, honesty, patriotism. Life in general, told in a totally non-general story. A story of human nature.
It is a long book, which is why it is in two volumes in this edition - and probably others. But is also a really heavy novel, I think part of the reason why 'classics' are often deemed too difficult to bother reading is the way they are written. In this book for instance, Victor Hugo often spends chapter after chapter describing the scenery, the Paris sewers, the life of a character barely in the story and an entire chapter on the battle of Waterloo,before it is made entirely clear why.
But it works. It probably shouldn't, not by today's standards, but it does.
The chapters are pretty short, so it is easy to feel like you've made a lot of headway. And I don't know, despite it being a long read, page wise, it never really felt like a long read, time wise.
I cannot not recommend this book. I really enjoyed reading it this month, even when it might have felt drawn out and just too-damn-slow, plot wise (because sometimes, it is. Hugo gets a lot of information across, but if you're looking for a plot-driven story, don't chose this one).
So put it on your list. Read it.
I am sure, you won't regret it.
kingfan30's review
4.0
This seems to have taken an age to read, but I've finally got there. Overall I enjoyed the story and was pleased to find out what happened to all the characters. At times I was completely hooked and could not put the book down, but he does tend to go off on a tangent or give you the history is something which although relevant is not necessarily needed in my opinion. Am really interested to see how this has been translated I to a musical and an looking forward to seeing the film or the stage show or both! :-)
sezziy's review
5.0
I made it to the end (not without a few tears shed over the boys of the barricade)
shanlouise26's review
Trying to think of a rating for both volumes together. Thank God for audiobooks tho I don’t think I ever would have finished this otherwise
szyca's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
anirams's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
liaavxx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0