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jasay's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
THANK YOU VICTOR HUGO FOR INVENTING GAY PEOPLE !
dootsiez's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
eponineeurydice's review against another edition
5.0
Ohhh wow. This book is definitely a classic for a reason. And honestly, I can't believe I read it. 1,463 pages seemed so daunting and intimidating to me, but this story in itself is so timeless, so beautifully written and witty and emotional. This should definitely receive more hype. In its most basic form, this is a story about complicated people. It's a struggle between right and wrong, and it's a book about injustice and love and goodness where you least expect it. It's massive in scope, covering many topics and many characters who are so complex, so real, and hold such a special place in my heart. I think this book is where the term "morally grey characters" came from, as Hugo is a master at them. The voice of this story was so unique as well. Usually in your everyday modern book, you see a story told from a character inside the narrative, or multiple. This feels as though it's told straight from Hugo's perspective, and it has so much heart. This book about has some very strong female characters, and some of the most lyrical, stunning writing I've ever read. Each scene, each character is painted carefully, meticulously and vividly. This book blew my expectations out of the water. And as a theater kid, I listened to the musical before reading the book; it was part of my childhood, though I didn't know the plot. And I do really love the musical, but the novel is so much better. In fact, many of the characters in the musical are vague outlines of those in the book. Eponine, for example. In the musical, her entire story is her unrequited love for Marius, but in the book she's a girl who has been through unbelievable hardship, a sad soul but a strong character. I have no words that could ever illustrate the beauty which is within these pages. Please, please read this book. It's not a fast read, but ohhh it's worth it.
emperor_nero's review against another edition
5.0
review for school (had to keep it spoiler free and brief, so this is what you get):
Most likely you know of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables from its musical adaption, but the 1400+ page novel explores the story’s complexities far deeper. This book follows the interwoven narratives of Fantine, Jean Valjean, Javert, Cosette, Marius, and many (and I mean MANY) more during the first half of the nineteenth century in France, around two decades after the French Revolution. The novel is raw, gritty, and just plain painful, which is unsurprising considering the title can be translated into something along the lines of “The Miserable Ones.” Though the novel starts out slow and Hugo tends to go off on long digressions, the story itself is captivating, and you slowly grow attached to each of the many characters. Though Les Misérables is a huge commitment, it is definitely a book that you should read at least once in your life.
Most likely you know of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables from its musical adaption, but the 1400+ page novel explores the story’s complexities far deeper. This book follows the interwoven narratives of Fantine, Jean Valjean, Javert, Cosette, Marius, and many (and I mean MANY) more during the first half of the nineteenth century in France, around two decades after the French Revolution. The novel is raw, gritty, and just plain painful, which is unsurprising considering the title can be translated into something along the lines of “The Miserable Ones.” Though the novel starts out slow and Hugo tends to go off on long digressions, the story itself is captivating, and you slowly grow attached to each of the many characters. Though Les Misérables is a huge commitment, it is definitely a book that you should read at least once in your life.
avesmaria's review against another edition
5.0
How do I begin to review a book of such historical and literary importance? In short, it is one of those masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel, or one of Beethoven's great symphonies, through which I saw every facet and event of my life deconstructed and reflected back to me in the eyes of its characters and the turns of its plot.
More prosaically, anyone wanting to read Les Misérables should be prepared for a very long book of simultaneous detail and expanse. Hugo goes on a lot of meticulously written diversions to explain every aspect of Paris and the social and physical universe of the book. (All of his sidetracks are, in my opinion, essential aspects of the story's architecture, but people who prefer a more straightforward style will probably not enjoy it as much as I did. I'll also admit I skipped one of the chapters on the battle of Waterloo.) Diversions aside, the expansive scope and central theme of this work - a generations-long meditation on the nature of redemption and the unjust social systems that people either rise above or collapse beneath - holds a message for any age. As long as suffering, evil, punishment, redemption, and love exist, this book will have profound significance to humankind.
More prosaically, anyone wanting to read Les Misérables should be prepared for a very long book of simultaneous detail and expanse. Hugo goes on a lot of meticulously written diversions to explain every aspect of Paris and the social and physical universe of the book. (All of his sidetracks are, in my opinion, essential aspects of the story's architecture, but people who prefer a more straightforward style will probably not enjoy it as much as I did. I'll also admit I skipped one of the chapters on the battle of Waterloo.) Diversions aside, the expansive scope and central theme of this work - a generations-long meditation on the nature of redemption and the unjust social systems that people either rise above or collapse beneath - holds a message for any age. As long as suffering, evil, punishment, redemption, and love exist, this book will have profound significance to humankind.
thegreekmoon's review against another edition
4.0
it felt like a long fucking 2 month car ride but at the end it was worth it.
oliviawrisinger's review
5.0
Great read. Very heavy though. I would not recommend this book as a first time classical novel. If you loved the musical or movie, you are sure to love this.
kmparsons's review
1.0
I know that a lot of people like this book, I just found it so boring and way too long. It could've been way shorter, that being said it is a well written book.
smateer73's review
5.0
This book was really good, Hugo is a master at weaving so many stories together into one narrative. There are definitely points that drag (every street corner in Paris does not need to be explained) but it eventually picks up. It brings to light so many questions about humanity and goodness and the law and religion and so many others.