From the Bookshelf of Catching up on Classics (and lots more!)…

Les Misérables

Victor Hugo

Start date: July 1, 2024

Finish date: September 30, 2024

Why we're reading this: 3rd Quarter 2024 Long Read
4th Quarter 2014 Long Read

Previous Group Reads:
Book of the Month Group Read, Ju…more
[close] 3rd Quarter 2024 Long Read
4th Quarter 2014 Long Read

Previous Group Reads:
Book of the Month Group Read, July/Aug 2011, & cont'd into Sept/Oct/Nov 2011

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What Members Thought

Mar 31, 2008 Terri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history, classics

I read this in one weekend. All zillion pages of it. Just kept turning those pages!

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Jun 26, 2025 Haze rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2025-books-read, audiobook

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I don't know why I expected a happy ending since the title is right there and is a sort of spoiler. I guess it is arguably a happy ending, but I just don't like that Valjean died and that it was directly because he couldn't see Cosette, because Marius was being an AH. And just because Marius finally learned the truth and regretted his actions and they got to see Valjean before he died, it doesn't absolve him from being an AH. I also didn't like that Cosette didn't care enough that Valjean didn't I don't know why I expected a happy ending since the title is right there and is a sort of spoiler. I guess it is arguably a happy ending, but I just don't like that Valjean died and that it was directly because he couldn't see Cosette, because Marius was being an AH. And just because Marius finally learned the truth and regretted his actions and they got to see Valjean before he died, it doesn't absolve him from being an AH. I also didn't like that Cosette didn't care enough that Valjean didn't come to see her and just accepted that he was busy. Honestly, I don't really like any of the characters! They were all miserable wretches (but totally in line with the theme! 😂 )

As I said earlier, Valjean is so annoying. Right before Javert killed himself, he was doing all sorts of philosophizing and it was exactly what I was thinking about BOTH of them. They were both overly dogmatic in their stances - Valjean for being altruistic and helpful no matter the cost to himself, and Javert for following things to the letter of the law. It's like they have no critical thinking skills of their own. I actually liked Javert a lot more at the end because at least he finally realized that, but then he had to go and kill himself over that. Idiot. Valjean I don't think ever learned at all

So yeah, I didn't like any of the characters, I didn't like the ending, but funny enough, I absolutely love the experience of reading this book and I think it might be one I'll come back to again in the future. I mentioned before that for me, the experience of reading a book is a huge factor in whether I like it or not, and somehow this one was just wonderful. I complained about the backstories and long-windedness, but I feel like this is one of those books that the more times you read, the more you'll get out of it. The first time I'm reading it, I'm anxious to find out what happens and I want the important stuff, but I'm sure when I read it again in the future, I can be more leisurely and take my time and pay more attention to the rambling stuff.

It also reminded me of The Count of Monte Cristo, not in story, but in elements, and the Count is one of my fav books I've read over and over again and still love. I don't think that this book can rival the Count because I like the characters in the Count more, and the story itself, but it gives me the same vibes and I love that. ...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Jason rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library, audio-book, bbc-100-classics

Much longer than it needs to be. A great story, but oh my gosh it took me so long to listen to. I wanted to listen to it as I knew I would not get thorough the print book. It gets three stars because I love the overall story, would have gotten 5 if there wasn't so much unnecessary fluff. So glad I finally finished it! ...more

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Jul 29, 2007 Suvi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: _book-shelf, novels, _france, 1800s, _to-reread, cities_paris

All the parts about the historical events and some stories about minor characters seemed a bit far fetched so I have to take one star away. Other than that I wasn't at all disappointed. I quite enjoyed the depth of the characters and the overall plot which made my back ache from all that sitting. ...more

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