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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
Like most people, I came to this book because of the musical.
It was interesting for a while. And then the long, pointless tangents began. And kept coming. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if Hugo had stuck to the story (which still affected me) instead of going off on hundreds of pages of tangents about the Paris sewers, a description of the battle of Waterloo that was 80 pages and served no purpose to the story except for the last couple of sentences, the origins of the word "argot", prostitution and others.
I made myself finish the book, and many was the time I found myself regretting that decision.
It was interesting for a while. And then the long, pointless tangents began. And kept coming. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if Hugo had stuck to the story (which still affected me) instead of going off on hundreds of pages of tangents about the Paris sewers, a description of the battle of Waterloo that was 80 pages and served no purpose to the story except for the last couple of sentences, the origins of the word "argot", prostitution and others.
I made myself finish the book, and many was the time I found myself regretting that decision.
3.5 It was interesting to me to read this now after seeing the stage show so many times. I knew there would be quite a bit that had been left out, but for some reason, I was still surprised. Such a rich story. Got a little bogged down in the political stuff in the second half, but there was enough of the characters' stories intertwined that I was able to stay with it. I admit, I "heard" the various songs in my head as I read and recognized the scenes. :)
I read this whole unabridged paperback book the summer I was pregnant with Sammie. I took it with me everywhere.
Oh my gosh! This is honestly the greatest book ever written. This is my favorite book. There will never be anything else that can surpass it! The story line is so beautiful and well done and enchanting. The ending is so beautiful and poetic. It is so sad! I love this book! I love this book! I love this book!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
4.75 stars.
What a wonderful book. The characters were brilliantly crafted, and the world of 19th century France was brought vividly to life. Reading this book led to many tears, and also a few laughs. I finished reading only moments ago, and I am currently feeling like I lost a dear friend, but he was only a real man inside my head.
The translator of my copy (Wraxall) was an idiot. He seems to have missed the point that the reader is using a translation because he/she does not understand French. Therefore, it makes absolutely no sense to leave passages untranslated. I should not have had to google the last paragraph just to find out how it would end. I didn't deduct stars for the translator (that's unfair to Hugo and his masterful work), but I'd give the translator 2 stars. Most of his translation was well-phrased, but the failure to translate large passages cannot be overlooked. The lost 1/4 star is for Waterloo and that theological section.
What a wonderful book. The characters were brilliantly crafted, and the world of 19th century France was brought vividly to life. Reading this book led to many tears, and also a few laughs. I finished reading only moments ago, and I am currently feeling like I lost a dear friend, but he was only a real man inside my head.
The translator of my copy (Wraxall) was an idiot. He seems to have missed the point that the reader is using a translation because he/she does not understand French. Therefore, it makes absolutely no sense to leave passages untranslated. I should not have had to google the last paragraph just to find out how it would end. I didn't deduct stars for the translator (that's unfair to Hugo and his masterful work), but I'd give the translator 2 stars. Most of his translation was well-phrased, but the failure to translate large passages cannot be overlooked. The lost 1/4 star is for Waterloo and that theological section.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
Strong character development:
Yes
This book is HEFTY and no one can stop Victor Hugo from his luxuriously-paced, absurdly detailed detours from the plot when you least want them, but oh, it is so worth it all. One of those books that I wish I could go back and read again for the first time all over.
Definitely takes a lot of time to finish this. I still loved the movie more than I liked this. There were too many backstories and scenes which were really dragging at places. I realised why they weren't all included the movie. Give it go if you like historic class literature. This was one long nice ride.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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