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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
Best example of how we find empathy and emotion in literature.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
This was my second time reading this book. I read the 300-ish page abridgement in college and decided I wanted to take on the full 1,463 pages as I waited with great impatience for the movie. I absolutely adore this story. As sad as it is and in spite of how it makes me cry, I love Jean Valjean and how his life is spent trying to help others. I ache for Fantine and her struggle to care for her daughter. I mourn for Eponine as she takes a bullet for the man she loves who does not love her back. Yes, it can go off on long tangents that I are very hard to get through, but it is worth it at the end as I sit there bawling while reading it out loud to my 7 month old. Beautiful story.
Quotes that I liked:
"Mothers' arms are made of tenderness, and sweet sleep blesses the child who lies within."
"God knows better than we do what we need." -Jean Valjean
"Because things are unpleasant, that is no reason for being unjust toward God." - Jean Valjean
"We have positively decided to be very happy." -Cosette
"Permission to adore each other."
"The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories that it has come to be disbelieved. Few people dare say nowadays that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other. Yet that is the way love begins, and only that way. The rest is only the rest, and comes afterwards. Nothing is more real than the great shocks that two souls give each other in exchanging this spark."
"It rained that day, but there is always a little patch of blue in the sky of happiness, which lovers see, even though the rest of creation may be under an umbrella."
"When we hear voices we love, we don't need to understand the words. To be here together is all I want." - Cosette
"Do not cry, I am not going very far, I will see you from there. You will only have to look at night, you will see me smile." - Jean Valjean
"Be careful how you think of the dead. Don't think of what might have been. Look steadfastly and you will see the living glory of your beloved dead in the heights of heaven." -M. Myriel
"The most beautiful of altars is the soul of an unhappy man who is comforted and thanks God." - M. Myriel
"Nothing is more dangerous that discontinued labor; it is habit lost. A habit easy to abandon, difficult to resume."
Quotes that I liked:
"Mothers' arms are made of tenderness, and sweet sleep blesses the child who lies within."
"God knows better than we do what we need." -Jean Valjean
"Because things are unpleasant, that is no reason for being unjust toward God." - Jean Valjean
"We have positively decided to be very happy." -Cosette
"Permission to adore each other."
"The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories that it has come to be disbelieved. Few people dare say nowadays that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other. Yet that is the way love begins, and only that way. The rest is only the rest, and comes afterwards. Nothing is more real than the great shocks that two souls give each other in exchanging this spark."
"It rained that day, but there is always a little patch of blue in the sky of happiness, which lovers see, even though the rest of creation may be under an umbrella."
"When we hear voices we love, we don't need to understand the words. To be here together is all I want." - Cosette
"Do not cry, I am not going very far, I will see you from there. You will only have to look at night, you will see me smile." - Jean Valjean
"Be careful how you think of the dead. Don't think of what might have been. Look steadfastly and you will see the living glory of your beloved dead in the heights of heaven." -M. Myriel
"The most beautiful of altars is the soul of an unhappy man who is comforted and thanks God." - M. Myriel
"Nothing is more dangerous that discontinued labor; it is habit lost. A habit easy to abandon, difficult to resume."
I chose to read this for school to learn what happens in the musical. I remember the teacher being skeptical due to the length of the book, but I ate it up.
challenging
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Stalking
Minor: Slavery
This is definitely the longest book book I have ever read and probably will read, 1247 pages and so worth it! This is a story that I’ve always loved from watching and loving the musical (one of my fav musicals that ive seen a lot during the years, it only felt right that I finally read the book. This took me a long time to read (literally over two months) because it took a while to get into the old language but when I did I loved it!!
The title les miserables can be translated from French into ”the miserable ones” or ”the poor ones” for example so as you may understand this is not a happy book, its the complete opposite. If you’re not familiar with the story its about the lowest and darkest parts of French society in the first half of the nineteenth century and explores the lives of criminals, prostitutes and those in poverty.
The main storyline in the book is about ex-convict Jean Valjean who has been released from prison after serving nineteen years after stealing a loaf of bread and then trying to escape. At first he turns to revenge and rebellion until he is shown a random act of kindness and after a while becomes the helping hand others need - until one day when the police officer Javert recognizes him. Other than this storyline it has a few side plots and side characters that connects to him as well like Fantine and her daughter Cosette, Marius and Eponine and many more.
If you’re interested in reading or buying this book I recommend looking into all the different translations out there - there are 8 different translations to English that all look different, some of them are easier to read than others, it depends on what you prefer. There’s also an abridged version with ”only” 800 pages instead of 1200+.
I also feel like I have to mention the 50 pages about the Paris sewers and the whole chapter about Waterloo. Dont know what to say about it except….. that happened. I got through it. Honestly give an award to anyone that has gotten through those parts!
A few of my favorite quotes from both the musical and book are;
- Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise
- Not being heard is no reason for silence
- To love another person is to see the face of god
- He was fond of books, for they are and sure friends
- I have been loving you a little more every minute since this morning
The title les miserables can be translated from French into ”the miserable ones” or ”the poor ones” for example so as you may understand this is not a happy book, its the complete opposite. If you’re not familiar with the story its about the lowest and darkest parts of French society in the first half of the nineteenth century and explores the lives of criminals, prostitutes and those in poverty.
The main storyline in the book is about ex-convict Jean Valjean who has been released from prison after serving nineteen years after stealing a loaf of bread and then trying to escape. At first he turns to revenge and rebellion until he is shown a random act of kindness and after a while becomes the helping hand others need - until one day when the police officer Javert recognizes him. Other than this storyline it has a few side plots and side characters that connects to him as well like Fantine and her daughter Cosette, Marius and Eponine and many more.
If you’re interested in reading or buying this book I recommend looking into all the different translations out there - there are 8 different translations to English that all look different, some of them are easier to read than others, it depends on what you prefer. There’s also an abridged version with ”only” 800 pages instead of 1200+.
I also feel like I have to mention the 50 pages about the Paris sewers and the whole chapter about Waterloo. Dont know what to say about it except….. that happened. I got through it. Honestly give an award to anyone that has gotten through those parts!
A few of my favorite quotes from both the musical and book are;
- Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise
- Not being heard is no reason for silence
- To love another person is to see the face of god
- He was fond of books, for they are and sure friends
- I have been loving you a little more every minute since this morning