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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
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
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“You who suffer because you love, love still more. To die of love is to love by it.”
Absolutely enchanting tale of love, redemption, and how goodness can move the world.
Absolutely enchanting tale of love, redemption, and how goodness can move the world.
Honestly, I’ve never really understood the whole “French” thing.
I want to give this five stars—it is definitely up in my favorites—but Hugo’s tendency to digress insists I take a point from the unabridged version; maybe the unabridged versions flow more smoothly. At the same time, I think every generation should have a book that spends entire sixty-page chapters describing a crucial battle and a myriad of other chapters delving into the overlooked aspects of societies like every big name of 1817, convents, contemporary slang (or argot), and the state of the sewage system. I always appreciated the subjects of Hugo’s digressions, and they always had a purpose in the end, but they detracted a bit from the plot line. In fact, I believe the plot took up only about four hundred pages. Overall, the story had some very powerful moments, and Hugo’s dizzying style fit these emotional moments well (descriptions got wearisome). A greater familiarity with eighteenth and nineteenth century French celebrities would have helped me understand more references as well as general French pronunciation would have helped me keep track of all the French names.
I’m going to drop some quotes for myself that may be spoilers (especially the last few), so be warned:
“A fellowsopher: There is such a thing” (p. 378).
“Besides, there is a point when the unfortunate and the infamous are associated and confused in a word, a mortal word, les misérables; whose fault is it?” (p. 744)
“‘It’s a good long time now that I’ve been a parishioner of the die-of-hunger-if-you-have-any-fire-and-die-of-cold-if-you-have-any-bread parish!…” (p. 767).
“To love is the only thing that can occupy and fill up eternity” (p. 932).
“Man is not a circle with a single center; he is an ellipse with two focii. Facts are one, ideas are the other” (p. 984).
“A compliment is something like a kiss through a veil” (p. 1006).
“‘And then, do you know, Monsieur Marius, I believe I was a little in love with you.’
She tried to smile again and died” (p. 1144).
“Cosette turned toward Marius.
‘You, sir, I make faces at you’”
(p. 1402).
“‘You will come every evening,’ said Marius, ‘and Cosette will expect you’” (p. 1405).
“It is nothing to die; it is horrible not to live” (p. 1458).
“The night was starless and very dark. Without any doubt, in the gloom, some mighty angel was standing, with outstretched wings, waiting for the soul” (p. 1462).
I’m going to drop some quotes for myself that may be spoilers (especially the last few), so be warned:
“A fellowsopher: There is such a thing” (p. 378).
“Besides, there is a point when the unfortunate and the infamous are associated and confused in a word, a mortal word, les misérables; whose fault is it?” (p. 744)
“‘It’s a good long time now that I’ve been a parishioner of the die-of-hunger-if-you-have-any-fire-and-die-of-cold-if-you-have-any-bread parish!…” (p. 767).
“To love is the only thing that can occupy and fill up eternity” (p. 932).
“Man is not a circle with a single center; he is an ellipse with two focii. Facts are one, ideas are the other” (p. 984).
“A compliment is something like a kiss through a veil” (p. 1006).
“‘And then, do you know, Monsieur Marius, I believe I was a little in love with you.’
She tried to smile again and died” (p. 1144).
“Cosette turned toward Marius.
‘You, sir, I make faces at you’”
(p. 1402).
“‘You will come every evening,’ said Marius, ‘and Cosette will expect you’” (p. 1405).
“It is nothing to die; it is horrible not to live” (p. 1458).
“The night was starless and very dark. Without any doubt, in the gloom, some mighty angel was standing, with outstretched wings, waiting for the soul” (p. 1462).
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'll never give up the bragging right that I read it twice
Un libro te deja con la espera que pasara cada capitulo