A review by eponineeurydice
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

5.0

Ohhh wow. This book is definitely a classic for a reason. And honestly, I can't believe I read it. 1,463 pages seemed so daunting and intimidating to me, but this story in itself is so timeless, so beautifully written and witty and emotional. This should definitely receive more hype. In its most basic form, this is a story about complicated people. It's a struggle between right and wrong, and it's a book about injustice and love and goodness where you least expect it. It's massive in scope, covering many topics and many characters who are so complex, so real, and hold such a special place in my heart. I think this book is where the term "morally grey characters" came from, as Hugo is a master at them. The voice of this story was so unique as well. Usually in your everyday modern book, you see a story told from a character inside the narrative, or multiple. This feels as though it's told straight from Hugo's perspective, and it has so much heart. This book about has some very strong female characters, and some of the most lyrical, stunning writing I've ever read. Each scene, each character is painted carefully, meticulously and vividly. This book blew my expectations out of the water. And as a theater kid, I listened to the musical before reading the book; it was part of my childhood, though I didn't know the plot. And I do really love the musical, but the novel is so much better. In fact, many of the characters in the musical are vague outlines of those in the book. Eponine, for example. In the musical, her entire story is her unrequited love for Marius, but in the book she's a girl who has been through unbelievable hardship, a sad soul but a strong character. I have no words that could ever illustrate the beauty which is within these pages. Please, please read this book. It's not a fast read, but ohhh it's worth it.