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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
hopeful
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
dark
emotional
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Που βρίσκεται τελικά το δίκιο και που ο νόμος παραβλέπει τα πραγματικά εγκλήματα;
Η ιστορία αυτή πιθανόν να σας είναι γνωστή. Ο ήρωάς μας, ο Γιάννης Αγιάννης, είναι ένας καθ όλα αξιοπρεπής άνδρας, καλοσυνάτος και γενναιόδωρος. Ωστόσο, κουβαλάει κι αυτός τις αμαρτίες του: πολλά χρόνια πριν γίνει ο αξιοπρεπής άνδρας αυτός, ο Αγιάννης αναγκάστηκε να κλέψει, όντας σε μεγάλη ανάγκη. Και το σωφρονιστικό σύστημα δεν τον άφησε να ξεφύγει: τον κράτησε στα δίχτυα του για χρόνια, μετατρέποντας τον σε ένα αγρίμι.
Και όταν πια μπόρεσε να ξεφύγει έστω και για λίγο από το νόμο, η ζωή του έγινε ένα κυνήγι, καθώς η Νέμεση του, ο επιθεωρητής Ιαβέρης, δεν άφηνε να ξεχαστεί το παρελθόν του άνδρα όσο και αν προσπάθησε να αλλάξει τη ζωή του.
Ο μόνος λόγος του να συνεχίσει να προσπαθεί να ξεφύγει από τον Ιαβέρη; Ένα πλάσμα που είχε την ανάγκη του, η μικρή Τιτίκα, η κόρη μιας γυναίκας που είχε το δικό της δύσκολο παρελθόν και την οποία ο Αγιάννης πρώτα έκρινε από τις δικές της αμαρτίες.
Σε αυτό το σημείο, ειλικρινά δε ξέρω τι να σας πω για αυτό το βιβλίο. Από την πρώτη μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα, είναι μια αναγνωστική εμπειρία. Τόσο ο κύριος κορμός της ιστορίας, όσο και το ιστορικό και κοινωνικό υπόβαθρο που στήνει ο συγγραφέας, είναι ένας άθλος. Είναι μια υπενθύμιση ότι ο άνθρωπος είναι πολύ μικρός για να κρίνει σε “άσπρο-μαύρο” το σωστό και το λάθος. Είναι μια σπουδή στην επανάσταση, στον κόσμο που άλλαξε γρήγορα όταν οι βασιλιάδες έπεσαν στη Γαλλία. Είναι ένα κατηγορώ στον κόσμο που δημιουργεί την εξαθλίωση ανθρώπων όπως ο Αγιάννης και ακόμα περισσότερο την αποκτήνωση ανθρώπων όπως ο Ιαβέρης και ο Θεναρδιέρος. Είναι, με κάθε σημασία της λέξης, ένα διαμάντι. Ακατέργαστο, ίσως και λίγο δύσκολο, αλλά σημαντικό.
Η νέα έκδοση των εκδόσεων Gutenberg σε μετάφραση Ωρίωνα Αρκομάνη είναι εξαιρετική, και πιστεύω πως ο,τι δουλειά και να έχει μεταφράσει αυτός ο άνθρωπος είναι προσεγμένη. Στα πρακτικά μόνο του θέματος, οι δύο τόμοι είναι κάπως δύσχρηστοι όταν σκεφτεί κανείς τον αριθμό σελίδων του κάθε τόμου σε συνάρτηση με το μέγεθος στο οποίο τυπώνει την σειρά Orbis Literae ο εκδοτικός. Αλλά ακόμα κι αυτό, λίγο πρόβλημα είναι μπροστά στην ομορφιά αυτού του έργου.
Η ιστορία αυτή πιθανόν να σας είναι γνωστή. Ο ήρωάς μας, ο Γιάννης Αγιάννης, είναι ένας καθ όλα αξιοπρεπής άνδρας, καλοσυνάτος και γενναιόδωρος. Ωστόσο, κουβαλάει κι αυτός τις αμαρτίες του: πολλά χρόνια πριν γίνει ο αξιοπρεπής άνδρας αυτός, ο Αγιάννης αναγκάστηκε να κλέψει, όντας σε μεγάλη ανάγκη. Και το σωφρονιστικό σύστημα δεν τον άφησε να ξεφύγει: τον κράτησε στα δίχτυα του για χρόνια, μετατρέποντας τον σε ένα αγρίμι.
Και όταν πια μπόρεσε να ξεφύγει έστω και για λίγο από το νόμο, η ζωή του έγινε ένα κυνήγι, καθώς η Νέμεση του, ο επιθεωρητής Ιαβέρης, δεν άφηνε να ξεχαστεί το παρελθόν του άνδρα όσο και αν προσπάθησε να αλλάξει τη ζωή του.
Ο μόνος λόγος του να συνεχίσει να προσπαθεί να ξεφύγει από τον Ιαβέρη; Ένα πλάσμα που είχε την ανάγκη του, η μικρή Τιτίκα, η κόρη μιας γυναίκας που είχε το δικό της δύσκολο παρελθόν και την οποία ο Αγιάννης πρώτα έκρινε από τις δικές της αμαρτίες.
Σε αυτό το σημείο, ειλικρινά δε ξέρω τι να σας πω για αυτό το βιβλίο. Από την πρώτη μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα, είναι μια αναγνωστική εμπειρία. Τόσο ο κύριος κορμός της ιστορίας, όσο και το ιστορικό και κοινωνικό υπόβαθρο που στήνει ο συγγραφέας, είναι ένας άθλος. Είναι μια υπενθύμιση ότι ο άνθρωπος είναι πολύ μικρός για να κρίνει σε “άσπρο-μαύρο” το σωστό και το λάθος. Είναι μια σπουδή στην επανάσταση, στον κόσμο που άλλαξε γρήγορα όταν οι βασιλιάδες έπεσαν στη Γαλλία. Είναι ένα κατηγορώ στον κόσμο που δημιουργεί την εξαθλίωση ανθρώπων όπως ο Αγιάννης και ακόμα περισσότερο την αποκτήνωση ανθρώπων όπως ο Ιαβέρης και ο Θεναρδιέρος. Είναι, με κάθε σημασία της λέξης, ένα διαμάντι. Ακατέργαστο, ίσως και λίγο δύσκολο, αλλά σημαντικό.
Η νέα έκδοση των εκδόσεων Gutenberg σε μετάφραση Ωρίωνα Αρκομάνη είναι εξαιρετική, και πιστεύω πως ο,τι δουλειά και να έχει μεταφράσει αυτός ο άνθρωπος είναι προσεγμένη. Στα πρακτικά μόνο του θέματος, οι δύο τόμοι είναι κάπως δύσχρηστοι όταν σκεφτεί κανείς τον αριθμό σελίδων του κάθε τόμου σε συνάρτηση με το μέγεθος στο οποίο τυπώνει την σειρά Orbis Literae ο εκδοτικός. Αλλά ακόμα κι αυτό, λίγο πρόβλημα είναι μπροστά στην ομορφιά αυτού του έργου.
Like many others who pick up the book in this day and age, I knew the basic story that I was going to be told here - or, at least, I thought I did. This work is so much more than I expected. It's a story, yes, but it's also a political manifesto, a treatise on moral philosophy, a historical look at religion, poverty, urban design, and even a diatribe on slang! While it's certainly the longest book I've ever read, I never once felt bored or anxious about the length. The long digressions (and yes, some of them are very, very long) into such a multiplicity of topics made the world seem more vivid, made Hugo as much a character as those who the book was describing. What a treat also to actually experience for myself these figures which are, in many ways, larger than life - Javert and Jean Valjean primarily. I didn't expect to love Jean Valjean with such ferocity - and, honestly, expected to hate Javert. But, I believe this is due to a misunderstanding or simplification of his character in modern adaptations. (I reserve all my hate for the Thénardiers). I also didn't expect to lament the short time that Monseigneur Bienvenu is in the text - a character who is so small in other adaptations as to be almost forgettable! This book is not something you can sprint through, and I'm glad I was ahead in my "reading challenge" to be able to tackle such a behemoth, but it's a book I am so glad to have read through.
If there is one detraction from the book, it's that because this book is so many things, it's hard for all of them to hit as equally when reading it in 2023. Some of the material stings just as much - the life of Gavroche and the life of children in poverty is, sadly, as relevant now as it was in the 1800s - but other material isn't as vital except as background to the text, I'm thinking of the discussions on convents, for instance. It's still fascinating stuff, absolutely, but there's little need to be critical of a system which is mostly out of fashion anyway.
If you are planning to dive into Les Mis - and I do suggest it's worth it - make sure you tackle the whole text, not the abridged copy. It's time well spent.
If there is one detraction from the book, it's that because this book is so many things, it's hard for all of them to hit as equally when reading it in 2023. Some of the material stings just as much - the life of Gavroche and the life of children in poverty is, sadly, as relevant now as it was in the 1800s - but other material isn't as vital except as background to the text, I'm thinking of the discussions on convents, for instance. It's still fascinating stuff, absolutely, but there's little need to be critical of a system which is mostly out of fashion anyway.
If you are planning to dive into Les Mis - and I do suggest it's worth it - make sure you tackle the whole text, not the abridged copy. It's time well spent.
“Curiosity is a sort of gluttony. To see is to devour.” And devour I did!
Just as overwhelming as it was to start this journey, so is my attempt to write a review that accurately paints my thoughts while simultaneously keeping it brief.
I see and understand why this novel is a classic. It has all the qualities of what you might expect. A great plot, insight, historical depiction. I did my own preparation of what to keep in mind while reading through the book, noting the specific areas that I can more intentionally skim through and which areas to slow down the gears and savor. I found that to be helpful as I recognized pretty early on Hugo’s pattern of providing an abundant supply of context to every significant moment (He goes into the Battle of Waterloo, the nature and usage of slang, and expounds much on the culture of religion/Catholicism). Some areas were more useful than others, but I found it endearing that his passion for the aforementioned subjects shone so clearly both in length and depth.
I appreciate books that refrain from dawdling which made it difficult for me to give this book 4 stars. (Though I would most accurately like to give it a 3.85). However, there were several aspects to the book that surprised me for the better. These I will mention in modicum:
— Personally, I find it encouraging to read about God in books that aren’t known to be about God. Though it was primarily written with a strong Catholic influence, there were a couple moments that I found myself moved by how Hugo wrote on the sovereign and merciful nature of God. This is heavily seen in the relationship of the Bishop and the ex-convict, Jean Val Jean, who knew only hatred, distrust, and betrayal. Upon meeting, the tortured soul experienced mercy, grace, and unmerited kindness for the first time in his entire life (like.. this guy’s life was truly so miserable). The Bishop’s exhortation to Jean Val Jean convicted me: “Yes," resumed the Bishop, "you have come from a very sad place. Listen. There will be more joy in heaven over the tear-bathed face of a repentant sinner than over the white robes of a hundred just men. If you emerge from that sad place with thoughts of hatred and of wrath against mankind, you are deserving of pity; if you emerge with thoughts of good-will and of peace, you are more worthy than any one of us.”
Seeing this transformation of this bitter, cursed man into one who, from his first taste of mercy, became a proponent of service and kindness would make any soul glad. Once given a purpose of finding and caring for dying Fantine’s beloved child, Cosette, we see Jean Val Jean trying to re-enter the ranks of the honest.
— There were 2 relationship dynamics that I enjoyed reading about the most: One was of Jean Val Jean and dear Cosette. Another being Cosette and Marius.
Perhaps it was the adroit writing, perhaps I have an imbued puerile inclination. Regardless, there is such a beautiful innocence and treasure of this budding relationship of the transformed ex-convict and a helpless orphan as well as between two “good-natured” and pure-intentioned lovers.
In the same way that a candle can light up a room that is in absolute darkness, these relationships and encounters provide such hope in the lugubrious nature of the book.
If I can have the effrontery, certain moments that I felt Hugo really cooked with his writing are as follows:
“Cosette's instinct sought a father, as Jean Valjean's instinct sought a child. To meet was to find each other…. The entrance of that man into the destiny of that child had been the advent of God.”
“The poor man trembled, inundated with angelic joy; he declared to himself ecstatically that this would last all their lives; he told himself that he really had not suffered sufficiently to merit so radiant a bliss, and he thanked God, in the depths of his soul, for having permitted him to be loved thus, he, a wretch, by that innocent being.”
“And then, strange to say, the first symptom of true love in a young man is timidity; in a young girl it is boldness.”
“It was She! Whoever has loved knows all the radiant meanings contained in those three letters of that word: She.”
These morsels of poetic and masterful writing are littered throughout the novel. For this reason alone I bumped up my score.
Though the pacing and seemingly abrupt ending of the book were not entirely my favorite, I am glad to have read this book! It is a gem in it’s own way and at the cost of coming off as pedantic, I can see myself recalling pieces of this book in conversation with others. It was also a great challenge for me in learning how to be more assiduous in my reading.
Now, I am going to spend the week listening to the soundtrack and weep.
Just as overwhelming as it was to start this journey, so is my attempt to write a review that accurately paints my thoughts while simultaneously keeping it brief.
I see and understand why this novel is a classic. It has all the qualities of what you might expect. A great plot, insight, historical depiction. I did my own preparation of what to keep in mind while reading through the book, noting the specific areas that I can more intentionally skim through and which areas to slow down the gears and savor. I found that to be helpful as I recognized pretty early on Hugo’s pattern of providing an abundant supply of context to every significant moment (He goes into the Battle of Waterloo, the nature and usage of slang, and expounds much on the culture of religion/Catholicism). Some areas were more useful than others, but I found it endearing that his passion for the aforementioned subjects shone so clearly both in length and depth.
I appreciate books that refrain from dawdling which made it difficult for me to give this book 4 stars. (Though I would most accurately like to give it a 3.85). However, there were several aspects to the book that surprised me for the better. These I will mention in modicum:
— Personally, I find it encouraging to read about God in books that aren’t known to be about God. Though it was primarily written with a strong Catholic influence, there were a couple moments that I found myself moved by how Hugo wrote on the sovereign and merciful nature of God. This is heavily seen in the relationship of the Bishop and the ex-convict, Jean Val Jean, who knew only hatred, distrust, and betrayal. Upon meeting, the tortured soul experienced mercy, grace, and unmerited kindness for the first time in his entire life (like.. this guy’s life was truly so miserable). The Bishop’s exhortation to Jean Val Jean convicted me: “Yes," resumed the Bishop, "you have come from a very sad place. Listen. There will be more joy in heaven over the tear-bathed face of a repentant sinner than over the white robes of a hundred just men. If you emerge from that sad place with thoughts of hatred and of wrath against mankind, you are deserving of pity; if you emerge with thoughts of good-will and of peace, you are more worthy than any one of us.”
Seeing this transformation of this bitter, cursed man into one who, from his first taste of mercy, became a proponent of service and kindness would make any soul glad. Once given a purpose of finding and caring for dying Fantine’s beloved child, Cosette, we see Jean Val Jean trying to re-enter the ranks of the honest.
— There were 2 relationship dynamics that I enjoyed reading about the most: One was of Jean Val Jean and dear Cosette. Another being Cosette and Marius.
Perhaps it was the adroit writing, perhaps I have an imbued puerile inclination. Regardless, there is such a beautiful innocence and treasure of this budding relationship of the transformed ex-convict and a helpless orphan as well as between two “good-natured” and pure-intentioned lovers.
In the same way that a candle can light up a room that is in absolute darkness, these relationships and encounters provide such hope in the lugubrious nature of the book.
If I can have the effrontery, certain moments that I felt Hugo really cooked with his writing are as follows:
“Cosette's instinct sought a father, as Jean Valjean's instinct sought a child. To meet was to find each other…. The entrance of that man into the destiny of that child had been the advent of God.”
“The poor man trembled, inundated with angelic joy; he declared to himself ecstatically that this would last all their lives; he told himself that he really had not suffered sufficiently to merit so radiant a bliss, and he thanked God, in the depths of his soul, for having permitted him to be loved thus, he, a wretch, by that innocent being.”
“And then, strange to say, the first symptom of true love in a young man is timidity; in a young girl it is boldness.”
“It was She! Whoever has loved knows all the radiant meanings contained in those three letters of that word: She.”
These morsels of poetic and masterful writing are littered throughout the novel. For this reason alone I bumped up my score.
Though the pacing and seemingly abrupt ending of the book were not entirely my favorite, I am glad to have read this book! It is a gem in it’s own way and at the cost of coming off as pedantic, I can see myself recalling pieces of this book in conversation with others. It was also a great challenge for me in learning how to be more assiduous in my reading.
Now, I am going to spend the week listening to the soundtrack and weep.
It took me one year, six months, and 28 days to finish this book and I am very emotional because I will miss it very much. I love u jean valjean.