What do you think?
Rate this book
Les Misérables
Victor Hugo Les MisErables
Translated by Charles E. Wilbour
Abridged, edited and with an introduction by Paul Benichou
Published simultaneously in nine languages in 1862, "Les MiseRables" is a vast tapestry set against the chaos of post-Napoleonic France. A cast of hundreds is woven into the epic story of the ex-convict Jean Valjean and his valiant struggle to redeem himself. A potent social document of the poverty, ignorance, and brutality of man, "Les MiseRables" is also a rousing adventure and a passionate parable of love. Here, Victor Hugo displays his skills as a dramatist and poet, and shows his deeply felt compassion for all mankind.
Pocket Books' Enriched Classics present the great works of world literature enhanced for the contemporary reader. This edition of "Les MiseRables" contains the original introduction by Hugo scholar and Harvard professor Paul Benichou, as well as his accomplished abridgment.
Translated by Charles E. Wilbour
Abridged, edited and with an introduction by Paul Benichou
Published simultaneously in nine languages in 1862, "Les MiseRables" is a vast tapestry set against the chaos of post-Napoleonic France. A cast of hundreds is woven into the epic story of the ex-convict Jean Valjean and his valiant struggle to redeem himself. A potent social document of the poverty, ignorance, and brutality of man, "Les MiseRables" is also a rousing adventure and a passionate parable of love. Here, Victor Hugo displays his skills as a dramatist and poet, and shows his deeply felt compassion for all mankind.
Pocket Books' Enriched Classics present the great works of world literature enhanced for the contemporary reader. This edition of "Les MiseRables" contains the original introduction by Hugo scholar and Harvard professor Paul Benichou, as well as his accomplished abridgment.
595 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2009
About the author
Victor Hugo
6,316 books13.4k followersAfter Napoleon III seized power in 1851, French writer Victor Marie Hugo went into exile and in 1870 returned to France; his novels include
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
(1831) and
Les Misérables
(1862).
This poet, playwright, novelist, dramatist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, and perhaps the most influential, important exponent of the Romantic movement in France, campaigned for human rights. People in France regard him as one of greatest poets of that country and know him better abroad.
This poet, playwright, novelist, dramatist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, and perhaps the most influential, important exponent of the Romantic movement in France, campaigned for human rights. People in France regard him as one of greatest poets of that country and know him better abroad.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 30, 2024
What can be said that has not been said?
It is a masterpiece, a classic.
It is a tragedy, a romance, and a historical fiction.
It explores the redemptive power of love, social injustice, and where law conflicts with morality.
Jean Valjean - has there ever been a more perfect protagonist? He is capable of both amazingly heroic and maleficent actions. He is constantly conflicted, doggedly pursued, and more than once inspired to greatness through the worst of circumstances. An ex-convict with a golden heart and the strongest of moral consciences.
You are forced to experience the slow descent of individuals, where the well-intentioned are often too late to save those that are being crushed by the cogs of society - it is The Miserable Ones after all. The background is that of a society that has perhaps suffered its' own descent, culminating in an 1832 Parisian rebellion. This book really delivers on every point.
If I had to make one criticism it would be the repetitive use of the word ineffable (I know others will point to the rando treatise on the Parisian sewer system, but that actually didn't bother me that much) - for some reason I cling to things like a word that just seems to keep creeping in over the course of a book and it makes me twitch a bit.
It is a masterpiece, a classic.
It is a tragedy, a romance, and a historical fiction.
It explores the redemptive power of love, social injustice, and where law conflicts with morality.
Jean Valjean - has there ever been a more perfect protagonist? He is capable of both amazingly heroic and maleficent actions. He is constantly conflicted, doggedly pursued, and more than once inspired to greatness through the worst of circumstances. An ex-convict with a golden heart and the strongest of moral consciences.
You are forced to experience the slow descent of individuals, where the well-intentioned are often too late to save those that are being crushed by the cogs of society - it is The Miserable Ones after all. The background is that of a society that has perhaps suffered its' own descent, culminating in an 1832 Parisian rebellion. This book really delivers on every point.
If I had to make one criticism it would be the repetitive use of the word ineffable (I know others will point to the rando treatise on the Parisian sewer system, but that actually didn't bother me that much) - for some reason I cling to things like a word that just seems to keep creeping in over the course of a book and it makes me twitch a bit.
June 1, 2015
Can't find any words to say right now ... this was one of those all-absorbing books to me that will take some time to digest. :)
September 9, 2022
Hugo didn't lie. This IS miserable.
March 18, 2017
البؤس حين يكون المصدر الوحيد للحياه علي ظهر الارض
الظلم حين يتنفس البشر فيما بينهم حتي يتوهمو انه حق وعدل
الملوك والطغاه واصحاب الممتلكات وظنهم انهم ملكو العالم ب اموالهم وسلطانهم
كلها معاني لمعني واحد الفقر ومنه يولد الظلم والاستبداد
ما كتب في طيات هذا الكتاب الرائع هوا
تجسيد لواقع امه كانت تعيش في كبد الظلام
حتي واجهت مخاوفها وطالبت ب الحياه حتي وان كان لذلك تمن وهوا الروح
جان فلجان ...والاسرار والعزيمه بعد الاعتقل والسجن
راي ان له سبب في الحياه بحث عن باب الامل حتي وان كان مكسور
كوزت ميثال لكل فتاه وام تبحث عن حياه لها واطفلتها
التي تحلم بفقط حياه مجرد حياه
من ابهر واجمل الاعمال الادبيه التي قرئتها "فيكتور هوجو"
لقد جسدت في حروفك كل ما يعيشه بعد البشر في الوطن العربي ولكن مع اختلاف الوقت
الظلم حين يتنفس البشر فيما بينهم حتي يتوهمو انه حق وعدل
الملوك والطغاه واصحاب الممتلكات وظنهم انهم ملكو العالم ب اموالهم وسلطانهم
كلها معاني لمعني واحد الفقر ومنه يولد الظلم والاستبداد
ما كتب في طيات هذا الكتاب الرائع هوا
تجسيد لواقع امه كانت تعيش في كبد الظلام
حتي واجهت مخاوفها وطالبت ب الحياه حتي وان كان لذلك تمن وهوا الروح
جان فلجان ...والاسرار والعزيمه بعد الاعتقل والسجن
راي ان له سبب في الحياه بحث عن باب الامل حتي وان كان مكسور
كوزت ميثال لكل فتاه وام تبحث عن حياه لها واطفلتها
التي تحلم بفقط حياه مجرد حياه
من ابهر واجمل الاعمال الادبيه التي قرئتها "فيكتور هوجو"
لقد جسدت في حروفك كل ما يعيشه بعد البشر في الوطن العربي ولكن مع اختلاف الوقت
March 15, 2018
I DID IT. I FINALLY CONQUERED LES MIS!
And oh my god was it a whirlwind of emotions.
And way more depressing than the movie (but I think it's unfair to compare this to the movie and vice versa since they're both good in their own ways).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This version is a lot smaller than what I was expecting which is good since I have to read this within a month. One day I’ll read the full version, but for right now, I’ll stick to this.
And oh my god was it a whirlwind of emotions.
And way more depressing than the movie (but I think it's unfair to compare this to the movie and vice versa since they're both good in their own ways).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This version is a lot smaller than what I was expecting which is good since I have to read this within a month. One day I’ll read the full version, but for right now, I’ll stick to this.
June 19, 2024
”Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”
as far as summer reading goes, this was amazing.
love jean valjean, fantine, cosette 🫶🏼
hate the thenardiers of course, but eponine was a really interesting character.
also javert’s character arc was so good 🙌
and about 3/4 of the characters died in the last 100 pages yikes 🫣
the only part i didn’t like was marius. he needed to GET A GRIP. he falls in love with cosette just by seeing her from far away in a park and then agonizes over her for soooo long. when he found out she moved away marius was like, “oh well, time to die” and proceeded to throw himself in a bloody battle because the girl he’d been stalking moved away.
obviously their relationship wasn’t the point of the book but it was the biggest part that bothered me. other than that, 10/10, wow.
and now i have to read great expectations…….. 😑
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
as far as summer reading goes, this was amazing.
love jean valjean, fantine, cosette 🫶🏼
hate the thenardiers of course, but eponine was a really interesting character.
also javert’s character arc was so good 🙌
and about 3/4 of the characters died in the last 100 pages yikes 🫣
the only part i didn’t like was marius. he needed to GET A GRIP. he falls in love with cosette just by seeing her from far away in a park and then agonizes over her for soooo long. when he found out she moved away marius was like, “oh well, time to die” and proceeded to throw himself in a bloody battle because the girl he’d been stalking moved away.
obviously their relationship wasn’t the point of the book but it was the biggest part that bothered me. other than that, 10/10, wow.
and now i have to read great expectations…….. 😑
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 3, 2022
This was an abridged version, if you are reading Les Misérables for the first time, please choose an unabridged version as much of the story is missing.
May 13, 2026
4.5????? 5????? I LOVED THIS AND JEAN VALJEAN IS ONE OF THE BEST CHARACTERS EVER WRITTEN
July 4, 2022
Even being familiar with the movie/musical, viewing the characters through Hugo’s writing gave me such a deeper appreciation for each of them. The pervasive question throughout the book is “who is most miserable, who should be pitied most of all” — every character in the book knows hardship in a different way. Hugo writes about a 19th century France where suffering and injustice seem like they are winning, and that resonates with me at times. But the greater story of redemption and sacrificial love, most powerfully told through Valjean’s life, are all the more moving against the backdrop of so much evil and injustice. 5 stars for timeless themes, symbolic characters that make you think, and because it’s a classic and a lot of people have already said it’s 5 stars.
October 19, 2013
If you only know the movie version of the story, then the book is a must-read. This is now one of my all-time favorites.
October 11, 2023
The novel Les Mis is a five-star work. I gave four stars to this edition (ISBN 9781416500261 Simon and Schuster) because it does not cite the translation/translator and the cover says "complete and unabridged," even though it is abridged. Notwithstanding those caveats, this edition worked very well for our school purposes and hopefully my students will be inspired to read the full work one day.
March 20, 2016
I would give this book all the stars. All of them! I've read Les Miserables three times, I think; twice in the original length in English, and once abridged in English. My high school librarian was a great guy; he introduced me to a lot of great literature; Les Miserables was one of them I found while talking to him. You know how you stand in a library and discuss books and characters and all of life while looking through books that you may or may not be talking about at the time? That's how it was; I picked up two volumes of ancient Les Miserables. I feel blessed that it was an old library (1938, with books from before that time too). It was such a doorstop that it was bound in two volumes. I read it all the way through, at least I think I did. I remember being told that Victor Hugo was paid by the word and I remember thinking that yup, he earned every penny and then some. It's astonishing how he could pad the book and make it fascinating, without sounding like he's stretching out the book. I was stunned by the in-depth study of Paris sewers; didn't know I wanted to know all that, but I did want to! I reread it later as a trade paperback abridged version. It was easier to follow the overarching plot in the abridged version. I understood it better and was able to follow my friends' description of the stage musical, Les Mis, which was huge at the time. I never saw the musical, though, and only heard the music from my friends singing it. So later for an adult book discussion I was hosting, I chose Les Miserables, the entire thing, though I told the others they could read the abridged if they'd rather. I found it on Project Gutenberg and printed out the whole thing----!!!! Cheaper to buy it bound, at that point. But it was larger type and I could take notes on the pages, which was nice. I stapled it in sections; I remember the whole section on Waterloo was in one staple, and the only character who shows up elsewhere in the book was in the very last section of the last chapter on Waterloo (in my memory there are either 19 pages or 19 chapters on the battle). What that character does shows his personality and occupation, but doesn't further the overarching plot... until you realize that the character of the characters is the plot. That's the point. The whole book is a study in people, their choices, the consequences. I think a big reason I ducked the musical is because I was certain it wouldn't do the book justice, which it doesn't, but it is great art in its own, separate, genre. I saw the movie with Anne Hathaway in it, and it was really good, very moving. The book is better, because you're alone with your thoughts and have to face your own reaction to what the characters do. The musical expresses the emotions of the book well, but changes the focus, especially the huge musical number at the end. I get it, for a stage musical, you want a big musical number, not a soft crying at the end. But the focus of the book means more to me. This book makes me want to become a better person.
February 5, 2025
I'm a big fan of the musical, and I realized I had never actually read the book so I decided to change that. It's hard to not review the book in comparison to the musical but I'll try my best.
Overall, Hugo's long French romantic epic is very well written and enjoyable to read, even if some parts can slightly drag on a little. I enjoyed Hugo's style of narration, where he interjects himself into the story at times to make something clear (ex: By this point the reader should've figured out etc etc) which I found to be different and more akin to someone telling you a story.
My biggest complaint with the story is that while most of the main characters are well written and interesting I found Marius, Cosette and their love story to be kind of boring (Eponine >>>>). In the musical I always assumed the rushed nature of it and the lack of depth to their characters was as a result of a limited amount of time and therefore more acceptable, but I found neither of them to be particularly interesting or complex characters.
Overall though worth reading if your attention span is up for it.
Overall, Hugo's long French romantic epic is very well written and enjoyable to read, even if some parts can slightly drag on a little. I enjoyed Hugo's style of narration, where he interjects himself into the story at times to make something clear (ex: By this point the reader should've figured out etc etc) which I found to be different and more akin to someone telling you a story.
My biggest complaint with the story is that while most of the main characters are well written and interesting I found Marius, Cosette and their love story to be kind of boring (Eponine >>>>). In the musical I always assumed the rushed nature of it and the lack of depth to their characters was as a result of a limited amount of time and therefore more acceptable, but I found neither of them to be particularly interesting or complex characters.
Overall though worth reading if your attention span is up for it.
August 8, 2007
So I started this book in Provo and then read most of it throughout Europe, finishing it on our third floor bedroom in Geneva, Switzerland. It was strange to be reading the unabridged English translation of Hugo's novel in a part of the world where everyone spoke French, but I tried a bit of the French and was completely blown out of the water, my language being wildly insufficient. It's a sprawling, moving opus epic devoted to the divine in man and the possibility of love, redemption, and revolutionary goodness. I would say it is an example of committed art, and while at times it is tedious and laborious, it is on the whole magnificent.
January 6, 2013
Lots of sadness in my life while reading this book. It took longer than anticipated, but I enjoyed the story very much.
I can't wait to see the movie.
Jean Valjean was the character who drew me into the story and kept me there. He embodied what happens when we choose to do wrong or to do what is right, and how those choices decide our fate, what happens next, or how we are preceived by others.
The French words used throughout the story are numbered and indexed in the back of the book with their meaning. This got a little tiresome, but didn't deter me from finishing the book.
Hope you, who read this classic, enjoy it as much as I did.
I can't wait to see the movie.
Jean Valjean was the character who drew me into the story and kept me there. He embodied what happens when we choose to do wrong or to do what is right, and how those choices decide our fate, what happens next, or how we are preceived by others.
The French words used throughout the story are numbered and indexed in the back of the book with their meaning. This got a little tiresome, but didn't deter me from finishing the book.
Hope you, who read this classic, enjoy it as much as I did.
July 24, 2011
Interesting read, more impressive is that I finished the almost 600 pages and it was the abridged version. I really liked the story, a lot more than I thought I would. Parts in the book I was blown away by how good or bad people can be and the story kept me going. Would recommend if you like classics, but I would not call it a feel good story, another book that speaks of the times which aren't so great times. As the title says it is about "The miserable ones". The questions to the reader is who are the miserable ones? Self-created or society created? Read and decide for yourself.
September 15, 2007
WOW! I have seen the musical, and have always thought the whole "Les Mis" thing was overrated and a little sappy. I stand corrected--this book was FANTASTIC! I read an abridged version, about 600 pages. My friend who read the unabridged said they just left out a ton of boring war stuff. Be brave, be bold, go for it--read this book!!!
April 13, 2020
I don't give many five star ratings, however this one deserves six. This is a timeless, inspiring piece of literature that lifts the soul. It is one I will read again. I was completely familiar with the story having seen the broadway production multiple times and most of the movie versions, however the book holds something truly special and is one of the best books I have ever read.
January 3, 2012
Interesting quotes:
"Love is the foolishness of Man and the wisdom of God."
"The misery of a child is interesting to a mother, the misery of a young man is interesting to a young woman, and the misery of an old man is interesting to no one."
"Love is the foolishness of Man and the wisdom of God."
"The misery of a child is interesting to a mother, the misery of a young man is interesting to a young woman, and the misery of an old man is interesting to no one."
December 27, 2014
There are no words.
This is one of the most amazing books I have ever read in my entire life. I laughed, I cried, and then came back eagerly for more. This book is a masterpiece.
Basically, go read it.
This is one of the most amazing books I have ever read in my entire life. I laughed, I cried, and then came back eagerly for more. This book is a masterpiece.
Basically, go read it.
April 6, 2021
The social commentary in this novel is eternally relevant, but sadly, many of the things that are not explicit commentary (read: the romance between Marius and Cosette and the battle at the barricade) are exceptionally dull.
February 20, 2008
One of my all-time favorites. It is so beautiful and timeless. I love the movie and the musical as well, but they can't quite touch the way the book moves you.
January 19, 2009
Good abridgment of a beautiful story.
Read
January 3, 2014DNF @ page 200
June 7, 2022
Better, deeper, more fascinating than any movie or broadway show, the book reaches the depth of the heart in the tale of the humbled Jean Valjean.
To further understand a book, one must seek to understand the author. Victor Hugo's father was himself a general in Napoleon's army, although his mother was a royalist. His parents separated and Hugo, heavily influenced by his mother, became a royalist as well. Later, after her death, Hugo spent much more time with his father who helped him to see Napoleon in a more positive light. Hugo's passion of writing reflected the change, first in his poems, comparing Napoleon to Charlemagne and other reknown French leaders who contributed to the greatness of France.
Through his writings Hugo became one of the key leaders in the Romantic era of literature which is characterized by nature, darkness and the supernatural. Not afraid to juxtapose the grotesque alongside the beautiful, he wrote the Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1831. Not only was Hugo passionate about writing, but his passion of helping the underprivileged gain liberty, justice and rights fueled his presence in politics. Having opposed Napoleon III's coup detat in 1851, Hugo was exiled from France.
During the exile Hugo wrote the satire, The Little Napoleon in 1852. "What! after Augustus are we to have Augustulus? Because we have had Napoleon the Great, must we have Napoleon the Small!"
Apparently in the satire, Hugo expounds on the greatness of Napoleon I juxtaposing him against the inferiority of Napoleon III. Later in his exile, Hugo pulled out a previous work which he completed and published under the title, Les Miserables.
Although France had several revolutions, Les Miserables is basically set in the revolution of 1830.
Liberty, equality, and fraternity did not come easily to France, nor did it stay.
In 1815 Napoleon was exiled, and King Louis XVIII was restored to the throne. He ruled in typical monarchial fashion, returning France to the days of inequality for the masses, destroying the freedoms that Napoleon had brought to the commoners. The unemployment rate rose, food became scarce, the economy favored the elite...again, just as it had been under King Louis XVI.
When Louis XVIII later dies, another Bourbon, Charles X, takes the throne. Life for the lower classes continues to be difficult. This is when Les Miserables is set in the opening chapters.
The impoverished Jean Valjean is imprisoned to nineteen years of hard labor for stealing bread due to starvation. The author, Victor Hugo, had a political statement to make and effectively grips the readers heart through the sufferings of starvation and the unjust treatment of the miserables, the key characters in the book. This poignant story has captured the hearts of readers, and then audiences around the world, in book, theater and movie format.
The sufferings of the miserables is described in great detail. Hunger. Poverty. Lives destroyed by hopeless choices. Such was life for the lower classes under the rule of the Bourbons. This book is Victor Hugo's political statement.
Midway through we meet Marius, whose father fought under Napoleon years before. In a flashback scene we are taken to the Battle of Waterloo where we meet Marius' father and the despicable Thenadier. It is this man whom the reader previously met in angry outburts from the depths of the soul as he plots against the desperate Fantine, as he abuses, starves, and deprives her sweet Cosette for his own wicked gain, sending Fantine to utter desolation and depravity of body, soul and spirit.
Meanwhile we learn that Marius' father was rewarded by Napoleon for his valour in battle. Marius had been raised by his wealthy monarchist grandfather. It is not until after his father's death that Marius learns more of his father whom he once scorned. Marius's newfound esteem of his father and Napoleon turns his grandfather against him. Marius leaves home disinherited, living off meager earnings. Little does he know that his neighbor is the despicable Thenadier.
Eventually the lives of Marius, Cosette, Jean Valjean, and the Thenadiers converge as another revolution erupts in France. The barricades. Dissatisfied with the Bourbons, Charles X is replaced as a result of the The Revolution of Three Glorious Days (July 27-29, 1830) by the citizen-king, Louis Phillippe. He had been exiled once himself, lived the life of a commoner, knew and understood the life of the commoner. Surely he would rule equitably and justly.
Throughout the story, we learn of Valjean's struggles with the past and opportunity to accept God. This turning point charts his course in his transformation, which develops throughout the book. As I read, I highlighted all the points in the book that referenced Valjean's spiritual journey. This is the hope in the book fueled by the light of God's love, God's agape love that loves not "because of" but "despite of."
Some notes from the well written introduction of the Enriched Classic, by Margaret Brantley, will perhaps further entice avid movie and theater buffs of Les Miserables to also enjoy the book where one can soak in even deeper into the tug of the human heart.
"Les Miserables...is a grand romance, a history lesson, a sociopolitical treatise, and a touching human drama in one epic novel." -pix
"Les Miserables is a love letter to France as much as it is an indictment-it has become the source of fierce national pride. Though Les Miserables may have universal appeal, it never quite loses its unique Frenchness. It grants all its readers the license to cry, 'Vive l'amour! Vive la France!'"-px
To further understand a book, one must seek to understand the author. Victor Hugo's father was himself a general in Napoleon's army, although his mother was a royalist. His parents separated and Hugo, heavily influenced by his mother, became a royalist as well. Later, after her death, Hugo spent much more time with his father who helped him to see Napoleon in a more positive light. Hugo's passion of writing reflected the change, first in his poems, comparing Napoleon to Charlemagne and other reknown French leaders who contributed to the greatness of France.
Through his writings Hugo became one of the key leaders in the Romantic era of literature which is characterized by nature, darkness and the supernatural. Not afraid to juxtapose the grotesque alongside the beautiful, he wrote the Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1831. Not only was Hugo passionate about writing, but his passion of helping the underprivileged gain liberty, justice and rights fueled his presence in politics. Having opposed Napoleon III's coup detat in 1851, Hugo was exiled from France.
During the exile Hugo wrote the satire, The Little Napoleon in 1852. "What! after Augustus are we to have Augustulus? Because we have had Napoleon the Great, must we have Napoleon the Small!"
Apparently in the satire, Hugo expounds on the greatness of Napoleon I juxtaposing him against the inferiority of Napoleon III. Later in his exile, Hugo pulled out a previous work which he completed and published under the title, Les Miserables.
Although France had several revolutions, Les Miserables is basically set in the revolution of 1830.
Liberty, equality, and fraternity did not come easily to France, nor did it stay.
In 1815 Napoleon was exiled, and King Louis XVIII was restored to the throne. He ruled in typical monarchial fashion, returning France to the days of inequality for the masses, destroying the freedoms that Napoleon had brought to the commoners. The unemployment rate rose, food became scarce, the economy favored the elite...again, just as it had been under King Louis XVI.
When Louis XVIII later dies, another Bourbon, Charles X, takes the throne. Life for the lower classes continues to be difficult. This is when Les Miserables is set in the opening chapters.
The impoverished Jean Valjean is imprisoned to nineteen years of hard labor for stealing bread due to starvation. The author, Victor Hugo, had a political statement to make and effectively grips the readers heart through the sufferings of starvation and the unjust treatment of the miserables, the key characters in the book. This poignant story has captured the hearts of readers, and then audiences around the world, in book, theater and movie format.
The sufferings of the miserables is described in great detail. Hunger. Poverty. Lives destroyed by hopeless choices. Such was life for the lower classes under the rule of the Bourbons. This book is Victor Hugo's political statement.
Midway through we meet Marius, whose father fought under Napoleon years before. In a flashback scene we are taken to the Battle of Waterloo where we meet Marius' father and the despicable Thenadier. It is this man whom the reader previously met in angry outburts from the depths of the soul as he plots against the desperate Fantine, as he abuses, starves, and deprives her sweet Cosette for his own wicked gain, sending Fantine to utter desolation and depravity of body, soul and spirit.
Meanwhile we learn that Marius' father was rewarded by Napoleon for his valour in battle. Marius had been raised by his wealthy monarchist grandfather. It is not until after his father's death that Marius learns more of his father whom he once scorned. Marius's newfound esteem of his father and Napoleon turns his grandfather against him. Marius leaves home disinherited, living off meager earnings. Little does he know that his neighbor is the despicable Thenadier.
Eventually the lives of Marius, Cosette, Jean Valjean, and the Thenadiers converge as another revolution erupts in France. The barricades. Dissatisfied with the Bourbons, Charles X is replaced as a result of the The Revolution of Three Glorious Days (July 27-29, 1830) by the citizen-king, Louis Phillippe. He had been exiled once himself, lived the life of a commoner, knew and understood the life of the commoner. Surely he would rule equitably and justly.
Throughout the story, we learn of Valjean's struggles with the past and opportunity to accept God. This turning point charts his course in his transformation, which develops throughout the book. As I read, I highlighted all the points in the book that referenced Valjean's spiritual journey. This is the hope in the book fueled by the light of God's love, God's agape love that loves not "because of" but "despite of."
Some notes from the well written introduction of the Enriched Classic, by Margaret Brantley, will perhaps further entice avid movie and theater buffs of Les Miserables to also enjoy the book where one can soak in even deeper into the tug of the human heart.
"Les Miserables...is a grand romance, a history lesson, a sociopolitical treatise, and a touching human drama in one epic novel." -pix
"Les Miserables is a love letter to France as much as it is an indictment-it has become the source of fierce national pride. Though Les Miserables may have universal appeal, it never quite loses its unique Frenchness. It grants all its readers the license to cry, 'Vive l'amour! Vive la France!'"-px
March 23, 2017
I went to the bookstore to get a copy of Moby Dick and instead went home with Les Miserables. I paid less attention to this book in the past because I knew it is big. A big book, a big play, a big story. I saw the movie 10 years ago but I didn't remember anything. I was young and didn't like anything to do with stage plays. My close friend at that time was a stage actress who was so crazy about the musical and would sing "On my own" almost every day. How's that? Now that a new movie is going to be shown, I decided to read the book first before I watch it.
Les Miserables is big. Big words. Big ideas. Big drama. I wanted more and more of Jean Valjean and little only of the others until Eponine came into the picture. I liked the part of Eponine. Not the little spoiled Eponine but the little older poor Eponine. The Eponine who despite being like her parents, died for Marius. The love drunk didn't even notice or pay attention to her. He was all Cosette's. Eponine, even if she was into crime, was honest about what she wanted and pursued it without hesitation. She was a badass. All human. I wish she still had her teeth.
Marius. I only liked him when he saved Courfeyrac and Gavrouche and then made the soldiers leave. Marius was so annoying. He was alright at first for me until he fell in love with Cosette. Well, love is good but it's just a bit "cookie-cutter". Cosette, beautiful and Marius, heroic. (Or was it the original cookie?) He thought his father didn't love him and that Jean Valjean was absolutely a terrible man. I guess the idealist wasn't a good "feeler". At some point, he only believed what he wanted to believe and was less forgiving, almost like Javert. Oh Javert, admirable but also annoying like a bug. I couldn't help admiring the man. He was very essential. The shadow of Valjean that always followed him. Javerts are rare in this world nowadays. Javert was bittersweet to me.
Okay, Cosette and Marius are the "good" characters. I won't talk about the obvious. So I'm just going to say Cosette was so boring except when she was younger and ugly. There was almost no activity in her except to be loved and adored by Jean Valjean and Marius. How sweet! (duh)
Then there's Enjolras, the beautiful Enjolras. (**Sigh**) And the adorable little Gavrouche. But among all, it is Jean Valjean that stood out for me the most. I love Valjean. I love his character and everything about him. I am crazy about him. This book is great. I know it is Great but to me as an individual reader, it is really great.
Love. I just felt it with this book. So pure, so raw, so high, and so strong. A thing that takes fear and all hesitations. You love when, even if you are afraid and never ready, there is just no thing you wouldn't trade for it. You can take all the bullets in the world and still smile because love is just worth it all. Yet love is something that you work hard for. Something that you build concretely over time. Something that needs action, sacrifice, or even suffering. It's not all feelings or ideas. Love is real and most of all, it doesn't have to be returned. That's Jean Valjean and Eponine. And I am getting corny here.
Les Miserables is big. Big words. Big ideas. Big drama. I wanted more and more of Jean Valjean and little only of the others until Eponine came into the picture. I liked the part of Eponine. Not the little spoiled Eponine but the little older poor Eponine. The Eponine who despite being like her parents, died for Marius. The love drunk didn't even notice or pay attention to her. He was all Cosette's. Eponine, even if she was into crime, was honest about what she wanted and pursued it without hesitation. She was a badass. All human. I wish she still had her teeth.
Marius. I only liked him when he saved Courfeyrac and Gavrouche and then made the soldiers leave. Marius was so annoying. He was alright at first for me until he fell in love with Cosette. Well, love is good but it's just a bit "cookie-cutter". Cosette, beautiful and Marius, heroic. (Or was it the original cookie?) He thought his father didn't love him and that Jean Valjean was absolutely a terrible man. I guess the idealist wasn't a good "feeler". At some point, he only believed what he wanted to believe and was less forgiving, almost like Javert. Oh Javert, admirable but also annoying like a bug. I couldn't help admiring the man. He was very essential. The shadow of Valjean that always followed him. Javerts are rare in this world nowadays. Javert was bittersweet to me.
Okay, Cosette and Marius are the "good" characters. I won't talk about the obvious. So I'm just going to say Cosette was so boring except when she was younger and ugly. There was almost no activity in her except to be loved and adored by Jean Valjean and Marius. How sweet! (duh)
Then there's Enjolras, the beautiful Enjolras. (**Sigh**) And the adorable little Gavrouche. But among all, it is Jean Valjean that stood out for me the most. I love Valjean. I love his character and everything about him. I am crazy about him. This book is great. I know it is Great but to me as an individual reader, it is really great.
Love. I just felt it with this book. So pure, so raw, so high, and so strong. A thing that takes fear and all hesitations. You love when, even if you are afraid and never ready, there is just no thing you wouldn't trade for it. You can take all the bullets in the world and still smile because love is just worth it all. Yet love is something that you work hard for. Something that you build concretely over time. Something that needs action, sacrifice, or even suffering. It's not all feelings or ideas. Love is real and most of all, it doesn't have to be returned. That's Jean Valjean and Eponine. And I am getting corny here.
February 2, 2017
This is obviously a great book. A truly incredible tale of perseverance and the triumph of caring for people. For such a famous story (and one that I have seen on stage), I was shocked at how little of the plot I actually remembered. There is so much to be said about the greatness of this book, so instead of all that, I will talk about the couple things that kept me from giving it five stars.
1. Such ridiculous coincidences. Every interaction is such a huge coincidence. I mean Jean Valjean is an absolute nobody, and yet Javert just keeps bumping into him in a city of 600,000 (as of 1800 Paris was the second largest city in Europe at 600K). Suuuuuuuure. That is my biggest problem with it, but beyond that there are one million small to medium sized coincidences. I couldn't help but compare this to The Count of Monte Cristo, where Dumas would go into extreme detail making every single plot point absolutely explainable well beyond coincidence.
2. The ending, in particular Marius and Cossette's behavior toward JVj.
(what is the statute of limitations on noting something a spoiler? If it was published 150 years ago shouldn't giving away the ending be allowed? a discussion I frequently have with friends. We need a legal precedent.)
First Marius:
Second Cossette:
If this book ended at the marriage then I give it 5 stars (clearly the driving force behind Hugo's writing). Everything that comes after it is completely absurd and unbelievable, and equally unnecessary. It is also like 100 pages of this nonsense, but once you are 1,200 pages in, who even notices.
1. Such ridiculous coincidences. Every interaction is such a huge coincidence. I mean Jean Valjean is an absolute nobody, and yet Javert just keeps bumping into him in a city of 600,000 (as of 1800 Paris was the second largest city in Europe at 600K). Suuuuuuuure. That is my biggest problem with it, but beyond that there are one million small to medium sized coincidences. I couldn't help but compare this to The Count of Monte Cristo, where Dumas would go into extreme detail making every single plot point absolutely explainable well beyond coincidence.
2. The ending, in particular Marius and Cossette's behavior toward JVj.
(what is the statute of limitations on noting something a spoiler? If it was published 150 years ago shouldn't giving away the ending be allowed? a discussion I frequently have with friends. We need a legal precedent.)
First Marius:
Second Cossette:
If this book ended at the marriage then I give it 5 stars (clearly the driving force behind Hugo's writing). Everything that comes after it is completely absurd and unbelievable, and equally unnecessary. It is also like 100 pages of this nonsense, but once you are 1,200 pages in, who even notices.
May 18, 2019
My three favorite characters in Les Miserables:
1) Javert has taught me that it's never too late to change. He thought the path he always followed which is the law is always righteous. His faithfulness in the law transformed him into a merciless man. He never believed that there is goodness in the hearts of convicts. NOT, until Jean Valjean spared his life. He eventually got confused. He set Jean Valjean free from the grasp of the law. But his bafflement got even worse which led him to commit suicide. Before taking his life, he wrote a letter for the higher ranking officers stating his suggestions about privileges and rights given to the convicts.
I was really amazed at how Javert's transition in his last part of the story changed his perceptions about the law and righteousness. This is the reason why Javert is my favorite character in the book, for, despite his mercilessness, he has redeemed himself by understanding the faults of the law and by leaving a message for the sake of the convicts before finally ending his life.
2) In the movie, Marius and Eponine were friends, but in the book, they were not even close to friends. In my view, the only thing that makes Eponine happy is Marius. Just by seeing and talking to Marius, Eponine was already satisfied. However, it was not the same as what Marius felt when with Eponine. Pity is what all Marius feels toward Eponine. While Eponine heroically saved Marius' life by taking the gunshot that was aimed at him, Marius failed to notice it immediately, so it was minutes before it dawned on him that someone was calling his name on the ground which was Eponine. When Eponine confessed in the verge of her death that she was a little in love with Marius, tints of sadness and gratitude were on visible on his face. To be honest, I disliked Marius attitude in the movie because he failed to recognize the care and concern Eponine showed to him until it was all too late. Eponine was a martyr of love. I liked Eponine because she was a martyr of love like me.
3) Jean Valjean is the luckiest man in the world because of his death. His death was quite remarkable. Before dying, he had shared moments of love, sadness, fulfillment, and enlightenment with Cosette and Marius-most important people in his life. I wish before I die, I'll also have this kind of moment with my family.
1) Javert has taught me that it's never too late to change. He thought the path he always followed which is the law is always righteous. His faithfulness in the law transformed him into a merciless man. He never believed that there is goodness in the hearts of convicts. NOT, until Jean Valjean spared his life. He eventually got confused. He set Jean Valjean free from the grasp of the law. But his bafflement got even worse which led him to commit suicide. Before taking his life, he wrote a letter for the higher ranking officers stating his suggestions about privileges and rights given to the convicts.
I was really amazed at how Javert's transition in his last part of the story changed his perceptions about the law and righteousness. This is the reason why Javert is my favorite character in the book, for, despite his mercilessness, he has redeemed himself by understanding the faults of the law and by leaving a message for the sake of the convicts before finally ending his life.
2) In the movie, Marius and Eponine were friends, but in the book, they were not even close to friends. In my view, the only thing that makes Eponine happy is Marius. Just by seeing and talking to Marius, Eponine was already satisfied. However, it was not the same as what Marius felt when with Eponine. Pity is what all Marius feels toward Eponine. While Eponine heroically saved Marius' life by taking the gunshot that was aimed at him, Marius failed to notice it immediately, so it was minutes before it dawned on him that someone was calling his name on the ground which was Eponine. When Eponine confessed in the verge of her death that she was a little in love with Marius, tints of sadness and gratitude were on visible on his face. To be honest, I disliked Marius attitude in the movie because he failed to recognize the care and concern Eponine showed to him until it was all too late. Eponine was a martyr of love. I liked Eponine because she was a martyr of love like me.
3) Jean Valjean is the luckiest man in the world because of his death. His death was quite remarkable. Before dying, he had shared moments of love, sadness, fulfillment, and enlightenment with Cosette and Marius-most important people in his life. I wish before I die, I'll also have this kind of moment with my family.
December 16, 2012
I know my rating begs to differ, but I really did love this book. I think in normal circumstances I might have even given it a 4. However...
A) it was a school book. I don't know why, but it automatically gives me a degree of reader's block when I feel like I HAVE to read a book. It's really mental. Also, in school, we have to analyze and annotate like crazy and it's definitely not my favorite.
B) The ending was so sad. Sometimes I like bitter sweet endings because it really makes it gripping, but I didn't like how Hugo seemed to aprove of Jean's feelings and "sacrifice" at the end on the matter of Cosette and Marius. It just seemed kind of twisted in a way. Who knows, maybe it's just me.
C) I hated Cosette. Before I read the book, I had seen versions of it by play and movie, and it had been from the love I had for Eponine that made me hate Cosette. However, through the book it was for something else entirely. {[(SPOILER ALERT!)]} I mean, she finds out that her father isn't her father anymore and she doesn't even have the decency to look into it or to even get mad? All because she is "in love". She just seems so...sorry, I know it's horrible, but dumb. She doesn't get curious, she is easily distracted and allows to "forget" everything whenever Marius kisses her. What is that all about? She spent her entire childhood with this man! Also, when she goes off with Marius, it's like she doesn't even know Jean Valjean anymore and there's this whole big deal about moving on and leaving past people behind in the dust in order to move on. I'm sorry, but if that's what love is, I don't want it. If I'm expected to throw away my family and be a dumb easily distracted girl whom nobody tells anything to, I don't want any part of it. {[(END SPOILER)]}
Now the Pros:
- It had a lot of fantastic lessons in it
- It really helps with perspective
- It is rather well written
- The plot (except for the romance) is very intriguing, and as far as school books go, extremely captivating.
- It had some concepts about God that I totally agree with but not everyone around me agrees with
All in all, I gave it a two. It was exceedingly good, but i couldn't forget the stress of my grade hanging on me reading it and the romance thing. Still, I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
A) it was a school book. I don't know why, but it automatically gives me a degree of reader's block when I feel like I HAVE to read a book. It's really mental. Also, in school, we have to analyze and annotate like crazy and it's definitely not my favorite.
B) The ending was so sad. Sometimes I like bitter sweet endings because it really makes it gripping, but I didn't like how Hugo seemed to aprove of Jean's feelings and "sacrifice" at the end on the matter of Cosette and Marius. It just seemed kind of twisted in a way. Who knows, maybe it's just me.
C) I hated Cosette. Before I read the book, I had seen versions of it by play and movie, and it had been from the love I had for Eponine that made me hate Cosette. However, through the book it was for something else entirely. {[(SPOILER ALERT!)]} I mean, she finds out that her father isn't her father anymore and she doesn't even have the decency to look into it or to even get mad? All because she is "in love". She just seems so...sorry, I know it's horrible, but dumb. She doesn't get curious, she is easily distracted and allows to "forget" everything whenever Marius kisses her. What is that all about? She spent her entire childhood with this man! Also, when she goes off with Marius, it's like she doesn't even know Jean Valjean anymore and there's this whole big deal about moving on and leaving past people behind in the dust in order to move on. I'm sorry, but if that's what love is, I don't want it. If I'm expected to throw away my family and be a dumb easily distracted girl whom nobody tells anything to, I don't want any part of it. {[(END SPOILER)]}
Now the Pros:
- It had a lot of fantastic lessons in it
- It really helps with perspective
- It is rather well written
- The plot (except for the romance) is very intriguing, and as far as school books go, extremely captivating.
- It had some concepts about God that I totally agree with but not everyone around me agrees with
All in all, I gave it a two. It was exceedingly good, but i couldn't forget the stress of my grade hanging on me reading it and the romance thing. Still, I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
February 13, 2013
Bet you thought I was never going to finish this, didn't you?
Well I probably should be doing my French homework right now, but writing a review of Les Miserables counts right?
Honestly I really really really wanted to give this five stars. In a perfect world, I probably would have given it four and a half. But alas, Goodreads still hasn't added a 'half star' option. Get onto it, GR!
In fact if I hadn't have seen the movie before I read this, I probably would have given it five stars. Although the book and the movie were pretty much exactly the same (well except for some of the extra details/characters towards the middle of the book), there were a few things I liked better about the film -- and I don't just mean the crazily addictive soundtrack.
Firstly in the book, Marius is not a likeable character at all! For example; he turns his back on his family, gets a classmate kicked out of law school, spies on people, creepily stalks Cosette and then fully rejects Jean Valjean when he finds out he was a convict. Definitely nowhere near as awesome as Eddie Redmayne. (Btw I would have put all that in spoiler tags, but I'm assuming everyone who cares has seen the movie by now.)
Also like I mentioned before, there was a lot of extra information in the book that really didn't need to be there -- definitely a good call cutting it out of the movie/musical. I mean why make Eponine have a sister if you're only going to mention her once in the entire book? And why do we need all the back-stories of every member of the A.B.C? Without all these things, the book would have been a lot shorter and made my life a hell of a lot easier.
However overall, I loved it. I loved that the translator left in all these french words (although if you didn't know french and actually had to flip to the back of the book every time to find out what they meant, that might be kind of annoying). I loved that it's not one of those 'and they all lived happily ever after' kind of books. And I loved that Hugo really didn't make that big a deal out of the love triangle; in fact, it was hardly mentioned at all.
So take note, all you YA authors out there!
Well I probably should be doing my French homework right now, but writing a review of Les Miserables counts right?
Honestly I really really really wanted to give this five stars. In a perfect world, I probably would have given it four and a half. But alas, Goodreads still hasn't added a 'half star' option. Get onto it, GR!
In fact if I hadn't have seen the movie before I read this, I probably would have given it five stars. Although the book and the movie were pretty much exactly the same (well except for some of the extra details/characters towards the middle of the book), there were a few things I liked better about the film -- and I don't just mean the crazily addictive soundtrack.
Firstly in the book, Marius is not a likeable character at all! For example; he turns his back on his family, gets a classmate kicked out of law school, spies on people, creepily stalks Cosette and then fully rejects Jean Valjean when he finds out he was a convict. Definitely nowhere near as awesome as Eddie Redmayne. (Btw I would have put all that in spoiler tags, but I'm assuming everyone who cares has seen the movie by now.)
Also like I mentioned before, there was a lot of extra information in the book that really didn't need to be there -- definitely a good call cutting it out of the movie/musical. I mean why make Eponine have a sister if you're only going to mention her once in the entire book? And why do we need all the back-stories of every member of the A.B.C? Without all these things, the book would have been a lot shorter and made my life a hell of a lot easier.
However overall, I loved it. I loved that the translator left in all these french words (although if you didn't know french and actually had to flip to the back of the book every time to find out what they meant, that might be kind of annoying). I loved that it's not one of those 'and they all lived happily ever after' kind of books. And I loved that Hugo really didn't make that big a deal out of the love triangle; in fact, it was hardly mentioned at all.
So take note, all you YA authors out there!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews