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Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Only show reviews with written explanations

mwalkerelders's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

minaminamina's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-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

5.0

paradise_library's review against another edition

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4.0

Second time reading this and somehow it wasn’t quite as good this time. I struggled to get into it and the excessive wording was not as poetic as the first reading experience. Still very good, but it seems if romanticised it. Off to see the musical (again) in a few weeks… definitely recommend if you love the show as it clears up a few things and provides a lot more context.

sam_mehdi's review against another edition

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5.0

Les Miserables is a fascinating story. Each character is very unique, and all of their experiences are delights to follow. With many historical flashbacks to Napoleon, in addition to the evident influences of French politics at the time, this book is a quintessential historical novel that history fans and novel lovers will love.

Like War and Peace, Hugo incorporates personal stories in a wider conflict. Nonetheless, these personal stories are much better written and received than Tolstoy's, in my opinion.

meeggie's review

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5.0

Absolutely the best book.

mgoorchenko's review against another edition

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4.0

I devoured this book for the first half, then found myself snoring away at the story between Cosette and Marius. Neither the characters nor their storyline particularly moved me--especially when compared with earlier ones. I also found the heavy reliance on "fortunate coincidences," so to speak, to be unbelievable. Still, the whole of the book moved me and I want to read it again. Jean Valjean is a tremendous character and makes up for any of the book's shortcomings.

selbyr's review

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5.0

Both amazing and decidedly French. A political book with an accompanying story. One can’t help but to compare what happened before, during and after the French Revolution, an event that essentially lasted 60-70 years dragging the country from a monarchy to a republic, to one’s own country.

By modern American sensibilities, Victor Hugo is an enigma. He portrays himself on one side as a nationalist and staunch Christian, while on the other he is progressive and a socialist. Traits that apparently can’t coexist and yet here he is. More frustrating is that he eloquently and reasonably states his position. Whether you agree with him or not, I dare you to explain your beliefs with the same ability.

I’ve read critiques about Hugo’s digressions throughout the book. But all of his digressions have a point and lead back to the ultimate theme of the book. Plus you get the best brainworms that leave the reader contemplating deeply. His comparison between a riot and an insurrection had me reflecting a great deal.

The book is filled with melodrama, art, charm, amazing feats, catastrophic blunders, and all wrapped up in a beautiful bow. French.

I will go no further dear followers (I’m up to 5). If you like French History, French Art, political intrigue, adventure and exceptional endings, read this book.