Les Miserables (Modern Library) 
asked by redsink on November 2, 2006 8:59 PM
Sensational, dramatic, packed with rich excitement and filled with the sweep and violence of human passions, LES MISERABLES is not only superb adventure but a powerful social document. The story of how the convict Jean-Valjean struggled to escape his past and reaffirm his humanity, in a world brutalized by poverty and ignorance, became the gospel of the poor and the oppressed.
From the Paperback edition.
From the Paperback edition.
Reviews
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As close to flawless as you could come, no other author can match the storytelling and characterisation. Describes a turbulent period in France, with incredible political and social commentary. Hugo's monumental work explores many themes i.e. why the Restoration was a backward step, the difference between a revolution and a riot; he describes many life's experiences and emotions: the myriad ways people can fall between the cracks into destitution (Fantine, Montepercy); one of the greatest descriptions of falling in love (Marius and Cosette) and how it feels to be in love, the greatest description of a battle (Waterloo), the desperation of a convict (reminds of Henry Charrier -Papillon), the making of men (Marius), unbounding heroism and selflessness(Eponine, Jean Valjean); explores patience, loss, asceticism, rebellion, fulfillment, nationalism, the administation of justice and the overriding theme is CONSCIENCE. I read this and then discovered that Hugo's own daughter lived in Barbados for a number of years living 'on the edge' of destitution. Small world.
reviewed by waltersmith on November 24, 2006 3:11 PM
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... but this was the most popular book, read by soldiers, North and South, during our Civil War. We should be better for hearing democracy in Beethoven, piety in Bach, compassion in Mozart -- and perhaps we do, one person at a time, but I fear we are always running out of time.
I read this book thirty years ago, over two winters, setting it down midway in March 1977 I believe. I had heard a near-complete reading on NPR, spread over at least a month of Saturday afternoons. I always made sure I was home for that; I was a single parent, then, father of a seven year old boy. To use a cheap term of the day, I could 'relate' to Jean Valjean, and I was thrilled by the music that opened each episode: the March to the Scaffold from Berlioz' "Symphony Fantastique." After the final episode, I went out and bought the Modern Library Giant, and began to read.
The radio production was not complete! While I found the details surrounding the Battle of Waterloo truly informative -- the description of the battlefield as a captial A was a vivid model of simplicity -- the long section on the history of the nuns' order where Valjean and his young ward take refuge, and where she is educated, invited a lot of skimming.
Skim where you will, but try to read the complete book. At some later time you can return to those pages you skimmed, and discover what you missed.
Les Miserable, The Brothers Karamazov, War and Peace, Moby-Dick, Joseph and His Brothers, Remembrance Of Things Past (okay, In Search Of Lost Time), Ulysses -- all of these demand much of us, particularly our time. That is a good thing, considering the many ways modern life invites us to waste time, and I could not begin to choose the best among these. Fortunately I don't have to; I might run to "As I Lay Dying" or "Lord Jim" instead.
Meanwhile, I'm glad I devoted a chunk of my life to this book. I do know I emerged a better man for that, and how sad I was when I read the final page, and closed the book.
I read this book thirty years ago, over two winters, setting it down midway in March 1977 I believe. I had heard a near-complete reading on NPR, spread over at least a month of Saturday afternoons. I always made sure I was home for that; I was a single parent, then, father of a seven year old boy. To use a cheap term of the day, I could 'relate' to Jean Valjean, and I was thrilled by the music that opened each episode: the March to the Scaffold from Berlioz' "Symphony Fantastique." After the final episode, I went out and bought the Modern Library Giant, and began to read.
The radio production was not complete! While I found the details surrounding the Battle of Waterloo truly informative -- the description of the battlefield as a captial A was a vivid model of simplicity -- the long section on the history of the nuns' order where Valjean and his young ward take refuge, and where she is educated, invited a lot of skimming.
Skim where you will, but try to read the complete book. At some later time you can return to those pages you skimmed, and discover what you missed.
Les Miserable, The Brothers Karamazov, War and Peace, Moby-Dick, Joseph and His Brothers, Remembrance Of Things Past (okay, In Search Of Lost Time), Ulysses -- all of these demand much of us, particularly our time. That is a good thing, considering the many ways modern life invites us to waste time, and I could not begin to choose the best among these. Fortunately I don't have to; I might run to "As I Lay Dying" or "Lord Jim" instead.
Meanwhile, I'm glad I devoted a chunk of my life to this book. I do know I emerged a better man for that, and how sad I was when I read the final page, and closed the book.
reviewed by bestseller on November 28, 2006 4:38 AM
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This book was written before novels were popularized and thus was written in parts. To bring readers up to speed, many sections of Les Miserables are repetitive. Likewise, there are also many drawn-out sections on the French Revolution.
There are reasons this book is abridged over and over again. It has little to do with length!
I do recommend this version, however. It is the original, unabridged edition by one of Hugo's friends (so you know it's accurate with what Hugo wanted). Start from the beginning, and if you hit a repetitive section or a long section about the French Revolution, don't be afraid to skim over it.
Though it is impressive to say "I've read the Whole Thing," swallow your pride--some sections are honestly not interesting unless you are a real scholar of the French Revolution.
Oh, by the way, this is the greatest story ever written--hands down.
There are reasons this book is abridged over and over again. It has little to do with length!
I do recommend this version, however. It is the original, unabridged edition by one of Hugo's friends (so you know it's accurate with what Hugo wanted). Start from the beginning, and if you hit a repetitive section or a long section about the French Revolution, don't be afraid to skim over it.
Though it is impressive to say "I've read the Whole Thing," swallow your pride--some sections are honestly not interesting unless you are a real scholar of the French Revolution.
Oh, by the way, this is the greatest story ever written--hands down.
reviewed by h2o on November 28, 2006 2:31 PM
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Les Miserables is a wonderful story told in a magnificent manner. Victor Hugo has been excellent in portraying characters, events and emotions experienced at varying levels of human conscience.
At some places, the lengthy and descriptive background information made me feel slightly bored but in the end it all summed up to be an experience for the lifetime.
Finally, as they have written in Editorial Review:
"LES MISERABLES is not only superb adventure but a powerful social document"
At some places, the lengthy and descriptive background information made me feel slightly bored but in the end it all summed up to be an experience for the lifetime.
Finally, as they have written in Editorial Review:
"LES MISERABLES is not only superb adventure but a powerful social document"
reviewed by costa on November 28, 2006 9:00 PM