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lilijana_ 's review for:

Los Miserables by Victor Hugo
5.0

Finally, I gathered the courage to read Les Misérables.

I thought it would be a depressing classic that had transcended time because we love tragedy and often confuse depression with depth of spirit. I was excited to realize my mistake in the first few pages.

While this book explores the psychology of misery, moral degradation, and the contradictions of ethics (masterfully, I might add), it also highlights the value of kindness, redemption, and the light that penetrates the deepest darkness, reclaiming souls confused by misfortune and calamity.

The strong component of historical fiction that brings post-Waterloo France to life makes this book a masterpiece: beautiful and provocative.

The psychology of the characters is impeccable. I am grateful to myself for overcoming my preconceived notions and gifting myself this reading experience.

Victor Hugo stands before me as a man and a writer whose work and legacy we should appreciate as societies that aspire to be civilized. Precious.