Les Miserablés (Penguin Classics)
by Victor Hugo
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One of the best books written. Everyone can learn and benefit from Jean Valjean's experiences and the way he chooses to handle them. I found it interesting that both Les Mis and The Phantom were popular musical plays at the same time. I love both plays; they have parallels that are interesting. Both main characters have been ill treated by fellow humans. Eric/Phantom on the one hand turns to bitterness, darkness and evil, while Jean allows his experiences to make him into a saint as he chooses t...more
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Read in January, 2000
recommends it for:
everyone
This is my all-time favorite classic. It is filled with such beautiful and profound thoughts on life and love. I love edifying books that inspire me to be a better person, as well as books that discuss ethics and the human condition. So, of course I adored this book. As I read it, I felt as though I was sitting at the feet of Hugo, learning from the wisdom of an old man.
One such "pearl" of wisdom from Hugo is: "The delight we inspire in others has this enchanting...more
One such "pearl" of wisdom from Hugo is: "The delight we inspire in others has this enchanting...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommended to Kate by:
Leeza Monge and David Vander Laan
"With very little trouble nettles can be put to use; being neglected they they become obnoxious and are therefore destroyed. How many men share the fate of the nettle! . . . My friends, remember this, there are no bad plants or bad men. There is only bad husbandry" (160).
"Curiosity is a form of gluttony: to see is to devour" (183).
"Nothing can be sadder or more profound than to see a thousand things for the first and last time. To journey is to to be born and ...more
"Curiosity is a form of gluttony: to see is to devour" (183).
"Nothing can be sadder or more profound than to see a thousand things for the first and last time. To journey is to to be born and ...more
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Read in April, 2008
This was an amazing book. I feel a little guilty about only giving it four stars. I may find I change it to five as my memory of some of those long dragging passages fades, leaving behind only the uplifting themes and amazing plot. But with it all being so fresh in my mind I can't help but remember those times when I just had to struggle through a chapter not feeling it really did anything for the book at all, other than add length (and come on, with over 1000 pages of tiny writing, that isn't r...more
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Some memorable quotes:
On excess and poverty:
"This ship [The Orion], crippled by the sea's pounding, made a strong impression as it entered the roadstead. It flew a pennant that entitled it to a regulation salute of eleven guns, which it returned shot for shot--in all, twenty-two. It has been estimated that in salutes, royal and military compliments, exchanges of courteous hubbub, signals of etiquette, roadstead and citadel formalities, rising and setting of the sun saluted daily by ...more
On excess and poverty:
"This ship [The Orion], crippled by the sea's pounding, made a strong impression as it entered the roadstead. It flew a pennant that entitled it to a regulation salute of eleven guns, which it returned shot for shot--in all, twenty-two. It has been estimated that in salutes, royal and military compliments, exchanges of courteous hubbub, signals of etiquette, roadstead and citadel formalities, rising and setting of the sun saluted daily by ...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
recommends it for:
Everyone
This is easily the best book that I have ever read. No one should let its size intimidate!
I have never been moved by a story the way that this book has moved me. This book will stay with you forever, whether through Enjolras's courage, Javert's determination, Fantine's despair, Marius's heart, Cosette's longing, Eponine's love and rejection, and most of all, Jean Valjean's journey toward perfection. I have heard it said that this book is depressing, and I believe that if you feel this way...more
I have never been moved by a story the way that this book has moved me. This book will stay with you forever, whether through Enjolras's courage, Javert's determination, Fantine's despair, Marius's heart, Cosette's longing, Eponine's love and rejection, and most of all, Jean Valjean's journey toward perfection. I have heard it said that this book is depressing, and I believe that if you feel this way...more
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recommends it for:
People who can read or listen to audio cd's or a combination of the two.
Most people are familiar with the story of Les Mis because of the theatrical version which is itself a masterpiece, but most people don't bother to read the book. I read the unabridged novel and consider it among the most influential books of my life. (If you decide to read the unabridged version be warned; it holds hundreds of boring pages dedicated to subjects not directly related to the plot--such as the history of the Paris sewer system, the rules of convents, and battlefield strategy.) L...more
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What fascinating stories! Poor Fantine suffered greatly because of the poor choices she had made in life. She brought misery upon herself, but she has our pity. Jean Valjean was not an innocent man in the wrong place at the wrong time, like I assumed before reading the book. On the contrary, he was a depraved imbecile. He was the scum of the Earth, yet he found redemption. Fantine is the warning, Valjean is the hope. In giving all that he had and everything that he was for the benefit of ...more
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I remember deciding to read this in high school, on my own (meaning not for any class). Being a bit of a masochist, I didn't want an abridged version. I figured that if I was going to read it, I wanted to read the whole thing. Though Hugo has an incredibly beautiful prose style of writing, he is the unquestioned master of tangents. That being said, this is one of the most moving stories I have ever read. There were several points that had me in tears, and still do when I think of them. One of th...more
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Read in January, 1990
This is probably my favorite book of all time. I admit, after reading it once or twice, I do skip the long history chapters (basically, if it says anything about Napoleon, I start skipping to the good stuff). I've never read an edited version, except for the last two chapters once to finish in time for a book club meeting. The thing I love so much about Victor Hugo is his ability to affect my feelings by getting into MY head, instead of taking me into the head of his characters. As the reade...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
Everyone
This is one of the "biggest" book i've ever read, and i remembered Mick Foley's "warning" about a big book.
"A big book is like a serious relationship; it requires a commitment. Not only that, but there's no guarantee that you will enjoy it, or that it will have a happy ending. Kind of like going out with a girl, having to spend time every day with her - with absolutely no guarantee of nailing her in the end. No thanks."
Haha... Well, i took my chances readi...more
"A big book is like a serious relationship; it requires a commitment. Not only that, but there's no guarantee that you will enjoy it, or that it will have a happy ending. Kind of like going out with a girl, having to spend time every day with her - with absolutely no guarantee of nailing her in the end. No thanks."
Haha... Well, i took my chances readi...more
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5 comments
recommended to Stephanie by:
Laurel
I am about half way through this book. It is horribly long, 1232 unabridged pages. I go in spurts of reading it. With this version, there are some parts that I would like to skim or skip over. It seems that Hugo takes pages and pages to explain the storyline. I am very happy with this read though. Even though I sometimes get board with the details, I love the way Hugo seems to explain a character’s soul. He gives them a depth I have found in no other work. Before a character has a line on the...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommended to Nancy by:
TJED 5 Pillar Tutorial Grouprecommends it for: Anyone interested in politics, social issues or history
Les Miserables (unedited, 1463 pages)
Don't read this book if you've less than a month deadline as I did. I found myself skipping chapters of "tangents" that didn't move the storyline forward. Big mistake. This book is meant to be savored, pondered. It can't effectively be a quick read. Though initially I was frustrated by the writing style, when I decided to slow down, ponder and write down my own thoughts, the book came to life.
I was haunted by Mr. Hugo's passionate, albeit de...more
Don't read this book if you've less than a month deadline as I did. I found myself skipping chapters of "tangents" that didn't move the storyline forward. Big mistake. This book is meant to be savored, pondered. It can't effectively be a quick read. Though initially I was frustrated by the writing style, when I decided to slow down, ponder and write down my own thoughts, the book came to life.
I was haunted by Mr. Hugo's passionate, albeit de...more
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Read in January, 2006
The last 200 pages, I cried until my eyes were bone dry. What a masterpiece. If you read this - don't get an abridged version. You can't miss Waterloo, or the sewers. The whole of Waterloo is worth the last page.
The characters are all extreme. Marius and Cossette are ultra-virtuous. Jean Valjean is incredibly heroic (even has prodigious strength). Javert is relentless and viciously just. Threnedier is the most despicable of men - right down to the end where he actually lives in the anus of the...more
The characters are all extreme. Marius and Cossette are ultra-virtuous. Jean Valjean is incredibly heroic (even has prodigious strength). Javert is relentless and viciously just. Threnedier is the most despicable of men - right down to the end where he actually lives in the anus of the...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone
I must say I am proud of myself even though it took quite awhile to finish this. It really was an amazing journey. Initially, I had commented that I didn't like Hugo's use of lengthy "asides" in which he gave details of a particular moment in history of the background on a particular place in the novel. It did enhance the experience in the end, but I just felt that some of them went on too long. (Especially the one about the occupants of the convent Cosette eventually enters for her ed...more
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Read in December, 1998
recommends it for:
Everyone
Okay, it's a bit of a feat at 1300+ pages (when you include the removed portion tacked on in an appendix, which is vivid and fascinating and worth reading), but every moment of it is thick with imagery and beautiful language. I feel like a faker for having read it in English and being unable to read it in French, but it feels completely natural in English, and while I used to also appreciate one of the many film adaptations and the musical, they pale over time while this retains its vivid life. ...more
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Read in April, 2008
I FINALLYYYYYY finished this novel. It took forever between work and everything else that I had to do. I think its been about 2 1/2 weeks since I started reading it, but I'm finished!! I have to say that it is one of the best books I have ever read. Hugo really knows how to wrap you up in the character, make you love them, hate them, or even both sometimes. Javert was a love/hate character for me. My favorite character was definately Jean Valjean. His journey from hardened convict, to near "...more
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My favorite book.
I came to this book through a fairly twisted path. My brother was a huge fan of the musical. I enjoyed it and wanted to read the book it was based on. I couldn't do it. The unabridged version took so long to get to the parts I knew. Hugo's long explanations and histories left me lost. I wussed out and read the abridged edition.
When I had finished the abridged edition, I immediately turned around and read the unabridged edition. What a difference! What I had previously s...more
I came to this book through a fairly twisted path. My brother was a huge fan of the musical. I enjoyed it and wanted to read the book it was based on. I couldn't do it. The unabridged version took so long to get to the parts I knew. Hugo's long explanations and histories left me lost. I wussed out and read the abridged edition.
When I had finished the abridged edition, I immediately turned around and read the unabridged edition. What a difference! What I had previously s...more
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Read in January, 2008
A story of such gloom so how is it that it can be so uplifting? Such is our lives...a Light shines in the darkness. Some quotes:
If Infinity had no Self, then self would not be.
The spirits of the righteous asleep commune with a mysterious heaven.
God moves the soul as He moves the oceans.
God is behind all things, but all things conceal God. Objects are black and human creatures are opaque. To love a person is to render them transparent.
There are moments when, whatever the p...more
If Infinity had no Self, then self would not be.
The spirits of the righteous asleep commune with a mysterious heaven.
God moves the soul as He moves the oceans.
God is behind all things, but all things conceal God. Objects are black and human creatures are opaque. To love a person is to render them transparent.
There are moments when, whatever the p...more
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Read in January, 2008
If I could give this book 6 stars I would. I fell in love with this story and the amazing writing by Victor Hugo from the very first page. The story of Jean Valjean's rise from the depths of Hell is touching and inspiring. After reading this book, I want to be a better person. I admire the values of Victor Hugo, which are very apparent in his writing. I ended up buying a copy and using my highlighter to mark my favorite passages. There are however some phrases that I dreaded seeing. Namely w...more
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