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A review by illyanadallas222
Les Miserables (Abridged) (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) by Victor Hugo
5.0
It took me over 2 months to get through this brick XD
Not because it was 'hard' to read or too 'complicated', but really Volume 1, Fantine's story alongside the neglected Children of France just broke my heart. It was so hard to read and it upset me greatly. Slowly but surely though, the and more I enjoyed Jean Valjean and Cosette. The book was sweetened by the romance between Cosette and Mauris. Which I obviously enjoyed.
But all in all, throughout this read, there was never one moment did the gravitas of the historical context of Paris pre-revolution and how crippled society became, was ever forgone. I don't really know what more to add that brings further acclaim to the novel. Hugo brings this entire monumental novel together beautifully. If Modernism is defined by ironic detachment, this is the ultimate pre-modern work. It's earnest, political, impassioned, comprehensive, and moralistic in the very best sense.
Hugo clearly has a clear thesis to make about human goodness, and it's effort has been rightly canonised in french literature and beyond. This is an epic and almost legendary work, and it stands as one of the best novels ever. And that is fact, not an objective opinion... ;)
Not because it was 'hard' to read or too 'complicated', but really Volume 1, Fantine's story alongside the neglected Children of France just broke my heart. It was so hard to read and it upset me greatly. Slowly but surely though, the and more I enjoyed Jean Valjean and Cosette. The book was sweetened by the romance between Cosette and Mauris. Which I obviously enjoyed.
But all in all, throughout this read, there was never one moment did the gravitas of the historical context of Paris pre-revolution and how crippled society became, was ever forgone. I don't really know what more to add that brings further acclaim to the novel. Hugo brings this entire monumental novel together beautifully. If Modernism is defined by ironic detachment, this is the ultimate pre-modern work. It's earnest, political, impassioned, comprehensive, and moralistic in the very best sense.
Hugo clearly has a clear thesis to make about human goodness, and it's effort has been rightly canonised in french literature and beyond. This is an epic and almost legendary work, and it stands as one of the best novels ever. And that is fact, not an objective opinion... ;)