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Les Misérables

Victor Hugo

Discussion: Les Miserables

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Les Miserables

Cosette
By theduckthief · 2 posts · 35 views

last updated Apr 30, 2009 01:07PM

Fantine
By theduckthief · 5 posts · 36 views

last updated Mar 13, 2009 12:44PM

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Mar 31, 2009 Anne (In Search of Wonder) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics, there-s-a-love-story-there

2024 Re-Read: I'm not sure which translations I had previously read, but this time I read the Hapgood translation. Next time I want to read the Christine Donougher translation.

On this read, I found it sooooo looooonnnnggg. Unnecessarily so, if we're being honest. Victor Hugo takes his time setting up each and every character, even minor ones, and each and every scene, even minor ones. Much time is spent both in the mental cogitations of various characters, and in their lengthy monologues that oc 2024 Re-Read: I'm not sure which translations I had previously read, but this time I read the Hapgood translation. Next time I want to read the Christine Donougher translation.

On this read, I found it sooooo looooonnnnggg. Unnecessarily so, if we're being honest. Victor Hugo takes his time setting up each and every character, even minor ones, and each and every scene, even minor ones. Much time is spent both in the mental cogitations of various characters, and in their lengthy monologues that occur on occasion. Some of his digressions are, frankly, in my most humble opinion, not worth the time it takes to read them (yes. I said it.). I know there are people who really love them and I know there is great value in them from a historical and philosophical perspective. But from a basic reader's perspective, they are just too much, and if that means I'm essentially an illiterate reader, I'll take it. 🤷‍♀️My opinion might change on the next go-round, we'll see.

However, that's the only flaw I see here. Everything else is spectacular, and because Hugo takes the time to set up his characters, we really get to know them. I appreciate the themes here in this novel, and Hugo's exploration of human nature through the context of France's ever-changing political environment through the 18th-19th centuries. (I did not understand all the politics involved - I doubt I will ever fully grasp all the twists and turns taken by the French revolution, including the insurrections in the 19th century...)

On this read, I see that there are actually two sets of characters being examined: two of them are criminals (Jean Valjean and Thenardier) and two of them are representative of the forces brought to bear on criminals (the church and/or religion, via the Bishop, and the law, via Javert). Which one of the latter two has more success is plain to see by the course of the story. While I might disagree w/ Hugo on some of his particulars, in the main, I appreciate fully his primary themes.

Still a five-star read for me!!

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This is my all-time favorite classic; I've read it at least twice and will probably read it again (when I have a spare minute!).
What I love about this book is the contrast between the justice of Javert and the mercy of Jean Valjean. Javert is determined to do everything right and satisfy the demands of the law. Jean Valjean finds himself on the opposite end of the law, and yet he is in a better position because he is determined to share the mercy given him to those he meets. Javert ends up committing suicide, unable to bear the burden of his own self-righteousness. Jean Valjean is welcomed to his Maker after a difficult but rewarding life. I find myself being Javert more often than not, but my aim is to be a Jean Valjean! ...more

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May 19, 2009 Michael rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics, 1001-before-you-die, 2011

And...Done! Wow, it took me a year of off and on reading to finally finish this one. Why, because the author goes on 200+ page sidebars that make the book entirely too long and boring in those sections. They aren't needed. This averted my attention. I give it 5 stars with the caveat "beware of the sidebars that are as long as some books". Why am I not giving it less stars then? Because this book, barring those sections, is the best classic book I've ever read. I loved the philosophical and conte ...more

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Apr 10, 2009 Manday rated it really liked it

Shelves: seasonal-challenge-2010-fall, 2010, classics, top-100

While this book easily could have edited out 500 pgs without decreasing (and perhaps actually increasing) its value, it was still a great read. The actual plot and interweaving of characters is a bit romantic for me-too many unlikely coincedences- but the overarching messages and the deep philosophical ideas easily make up for it. Also, at times the book got a little preachy, but seeing as I agreed with the overall messages, I could overlook the god-mongering. It is a very interesting read and I ...more

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