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alexbailey7 's review for:
Les Misérables
by Victor Hugo
I’m going to be entirely honest: I only picked up this book because I got to see the musical. It was so beautiful and epic that it made me want more of the story, so I decided to delve into this 1000+ page saga. It was, in short, a masterpiece. It was certainly long and tedious, seeming at some parts unnecessary and wordy, but Victor Hugo managed to tie even his most ridiculous of tangents (i.e. entire chapters dedicated to the Battle of Waterloo and the Paris sewer system) into the main story. The beginning and the end of this story, in particular, were touching and well-written, and were enough to make it all worthwhile.
Here’s where the spoilers start:
I was astonished at how similar the musical and the book were in the beginning. I am perhaps a minority here, but I enjoyed getting to read about the kindly Bishop’s story. The conflict that Valjean faces within himself when he is first introduced is so potent and vividly written, and that it ultimately ties into the end with his death (the candlesticks being lit near him, him seeing the Bishop in death) is so beautiful. I also very nearly cried when he first met Cosette; it was such a wholesome, precious few chapters. Him buying the doll for her destroyed me. I must also give an honorable mention to Javert’s sense of humor in these chapters. Though I lost the page and the quote within this behemoth piece of literature, he had one particularly funny line that I hope I manage to find again. I’ll be honest, the next part of the book is all a blur until Les Amis de l’ABC are introduced. First of all, the pun is immaculate. Second, these were some of the most amazing side characters you will ever find. Enjolras and his crew are so incredible, and as this turns into their final moments at the barricade, I literally cried. I was rather attached to these minor characters—mere college-age students who wanted to change the world—and the barricade scenes were heart wrenching and beautiful. There were memorable quotes and moments (though I wanted to throw the book when 5 characters were killed in the same sentence) and the final moments between Enjolras and Grantaire were perfection. It lives rent-free in my head. Now, as for Marius…this man. Why. He is such an idiot (lovable, but still an idiot). He literally manages to straddle the line between creepy stalker and oblivious fool. He has some great moments, as well as some questionable ones. As for Cosette, you can’t hate her. She’s literally so sweet. I also have to address the ending, because oh my GOD. I cried. The book literally ends with a flash into the future where we see Valjean’s nameless, never visited grave. And on that happy note, I end my review.
Here’s where the spoilers start:
I was astonished at how similar the musical and the book were in the beginning. I am perhaps a minority here, but I enjoyed getting to read about the kindly Bishop’s story. The conflict that Valjean faces within himself when he is first introduced is so potent and vividly written, and that it ultimately ties into the end with his death (the candlesticks being lit near him, him seeing the Bishop in death) is so beautiful. I also very nearly cried when he first met Cosette; it was such a wholesome, precious few chapters. Him buying the doll for her destroyed me. I must also give an honorable mention to Javert’s sense of humor in these chapters. Though I lost the page and the quote within this behemoth piece of literature, he had one particularly funny line that I hope I manage to find again. I’ll be honest, the next part of the book is all a blur until Les Amis de l’ABC are introduced. First of all, the pun is immaculate. Second, these were some of the most amazing side characters you will ever find. Enjolras and his crew are so incredible, and as this turns into their final moments at the barricade, I literally cried. I was rather attached to these minor characters—mere college-age students who wanted to change the world—and the barricade scenes were heart wrenching and beautiful. There were memorable quotes and moments (though I wanted to throw the book when 5 characters were killed in the same sentence) and the final moments between Enjolras and Grantaire were perfection. It lives rent-free in my head. Now, as for Marius…this man. Why. He is such an idiot (lovable, but still an idiot). He literally manages to straddle the line between creepy stalker and oblivious fool. He has some great moments, as well as some questionable ones. As for Cosette, you can’t hate her. She’s literally so sweet. I also have to address the ending, because oh my GOD. I cried. The book literally ends with a flash into the future where we see Valjean’s nameless, never visited grave. And on that happy note, I end my review.