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phoenix2's review against another edition
4.0
Victor Hugo creates a beautiful and dark story, straight out of a reality that is timeless. The fall of men in this story can't be limited only to Hugo's time, but, somehow, the messages that it conveys can be applied years later.
Even though there are thousands adaptions of this book, both on stage and for movies and tv series, somehow the book was not boring or predictable to read. There were small details here and there that surprised me. Hugo can create a story that sounds it's straight out of the history books. Still, he treats his characters like novel heroes.
What I liked about this one was the pace. The writing was so beautiful, simple and easy to read that this huge book didn't tire me up or bored me. However, there were some chapters where Hugo explained his views, that were too long and got me frustrated after a while reading them.
In any case, Les Miserables is proves that it is rightly put among the best books of all times.
Even though there are thousands adaptions of this book, both on stage and for movies and tv series, somehow the book was not boring or predictable to read. There were small details here and there that surprised me. Hugo can create a story that sounds it's straight out of the history books. Still, he treats his characters like novel heroes.
What I liked about this one was the pace. The writing was so beautiful, simple and easy to read that this huge book didn't tire me up or bored me. However, there were some chapters where Hugo explained his views, that were too long and got me frustrated after a while reading them.
In any case, Les Miserables is proves that it is rightly put among the best books of all times.
laureenreads's review against another edition
3.0
This one is long, tedious, and so difficult to make it through the whole thing. However, it's still a good story and still relevant today (well, the overarching themes are).
hrhaphrodite1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
larkspire's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
achillesheeled's review against another edition
5.0
favorite book of all time. what more is there to be said. i firmly believe les mis shaped me into the person i am today
p.s. hugo's off-topic monologues are integral to the experience dont skip them
p.s. hugo's off-topic monologues are integral to the experience dont skip them
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.
lucyshah23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
ambipure's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jennrocca's review against another edition
5.0
I finished! Finally! Wow. That was a journey. I had the benefit of reading this without having ever seen the musical or knowing anything about the story. So a I had completely fresh eyes and no preconceived notions.
The story is amazing. Just fantastic. The story is what got me through the entire book. But so much of the book is not the story. So much of the book is philosophical treatise and social commentary. Vast vast sections of the book are only very loosely tied to the plot. I’m sure they helped deepen my understanding of the characters actions and the significance of the events but... it was tough going.
I’m glad I read the whole thing, but if I were to recommend it to someone else I would recommend an abridged version that primarily just told the story. I would have enjoyed it more that way.
The story is amazing. Just fantastic. The story is what got me through the entire book. But so much of the book is not the story. So much of the book is philosophical treatise and social commentary. Vast vast sections of the book are only very loosely tied to the plot. I’m sure they helped deepen my understanding of the characters actions and the significance of the events but... it was tough going.
I’m glad I read the whole thing, but if I were to recommend it to someone else I would recommend an abridged version that primarily just told the story. I would have enjoyed it more that way.