Who never heard of “Les Miserables”?
Since their publication, “Les Miserables” is the most famous work and most read of Victor Hugo. Jean Valjean, Cosette, Gavroche are now full part of the known characters of each high-school pupil’s library.
“Les ... Read review
Who never heard of “Les Miserables”?
Since their publication, “Les Miserables” is the most famous work and most read of Victor Hugo. Jean Valjean, Cosette, Gavroche are now full part of the known characters of each high-school pupil’s library.
“Les Miserables” appears as this " single book " of which the nineteenth century dreamed of and needed.
That is probably ... ...of Hugo’s psychology and his far too gross simplification and description of the society.
It is a marvellous saga telling the story of a poor fellow who, for the theft of a piece of bread for the sake of his family, will pay the price all his life.
The main characters:
Jean Valjean, the main protagonist was condemned to prison in 1795, for stealing a loaf of bread, judgement-symbolizing oppression imposed ... more
Who never heard of “Les Miserables”? Since their publication, “Les Miserables” is the most famous work and most read of Victor Hugo. Jean Valjean, Cosette, Gavroche are now full part of the known characters of each high-school pupil’s library. “Les Miserables” appears as this " single book " of which the nineteenth century dreamed of and needed. That is probably why some were tempted to criticize and denounce the weakness of Hugo’s psychology and his far too gross simplification and description of the society.
It is a marvellous saga telling the story of a poor fellow who, for the theft of a piece of bread for the sake of his family, will pay the price all his life.
The main characters: Jean Valjean, the main protagonist was condemned to prison in 1795, for stealing a loaf of bread, judgement-symbolizing oppression imposed by an unfair society on a crushed population.
Bishop Welcome, true Christian, will be one of the first to help Jean Valjean.
Fantine, factory worker seduced by Tholomyes, a student. She is obliged to entrust her child, Cosette, in the Thenardier family.
Cosette, Fantine’s daughter, will be left at Thenardier’s house where she will be ill treated.
The Thenardier family, a couple of sordid innkeepers which exploits " the poor " Cosette.
Gavroche, young kid, thrown on the paving stones like many of other children, is alone, without love, lodging, without bread.
Marius, student who will fall in love for Cosette. He discovers misery of the people and decides to commit himself with the Labour party.
The police officer Javert is famous for his republican intransigence whose policy is no remission for a former convict, especially not for Valjean
The book is obviously aimed at pointing out the degradation of the man by the proletariat, the forfeiture of the woman by the hunger, the atrophy of the child by the night. The book has become one of the most inspiring epics of our time, a great humanitarian novel. "Les Miserables" encourages compassion, forgiveness, and hope in the face of adversity and despair. It is also a historical novel whose scope and analysis provide an illuminating vision of the nineteenth century in France, still reeling from the effects of The French Revolution in 1789.
Despite his attention to the past, Hugo also intended “Les Miserables” to be a beacon of light towards a progressive and more democratic future.
“Les Misérables” also concerns events between 1815 and 1832. Its breadth encompasses the major historical trends of the entire nineteenth century. French history is the main driving force of this epic. As a result, the sweeping historical and social changes following the French Revolution and Napoleon's downfall play a major role in the novel.
The more you get involved in the depth of the book, the more you’ll be aware of Hugo’s intention to exhibit his writing as a literature and republican propaganda. It is one of my most precious books. It reminds me so much my natural origins and my roots as a French being. Nobody else could have so well pointed out poignant issues such as universal suffrage, prison reform, free education, and social equality. Those issues have always been in French people’s mind and thanks to Hugo, the goals and message of the French Revolution are not buried under the suffering and the spillage of blood of many people but have led to progress and democracy.
Throughout the novel, Hugo condemns the society and smoothly but frankly brings up the urge of fraternity, compassion, morality, and forgiveness to the fall of the existing society. I will maybe appear to be very much patriotic there if I tell you that an immense and submerging feeling of faith, fight and glory erupted in me. But I don’t think you can feel otherwise when reading this book. You only want a pure and radical social change to happen.
I am of the opinion that this is one of the greatest novels ever written. It is more than just a brilliantly conceived story of some hopelessly unforgettable heroes; it is at the same time a very well detailed and written perspective on history and a sociological profile of the destitute during a major period in the development of France and Western Civilization.
I am more than positive you will nibble the book like if you were having a craving on chocolate. Good reading and don’t hesitate to leave me comments about it.
Advantages: Good portrayal of France and the best French villian (besides Milady) ever created Disadvantages: Moralistic and far to long
The length of this book can not be stressed enough. It is very very long. Victor Hugo doubtless thought that an epic could be excused this extravagence but it is hard going on us readers. Luckily the bulk of the book is partly due to lengthy descriptions and philosophical musings that can be avoid (skipped). For those willing to perservere the story repays the effort. For those who can't be bothered the musical is a good bet if you want to get aquainted ... ...you may need to take notes as you go along. Basically it concerns the escape and redemption of a convict called Valjean. Valjean is persued by a policeman called Javert. Valjean rescues a child called Cosette, after her mother dies as a result of being fired from his factory. Cosette falls in love with student called Marius. At the same time the students plan to barricade Paris in protest agaisnt the rich. Marius is shot and rescued by Valjean, Javert ...
Telute 17.10.2000 (09.05.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
Advantages: Great original works of a genius Disadvantages: Long, not light reading
How good is this book???
This is a work of pure genius
I have not seen the musical but ive heard that it is good, but it cant be as good as the book, a fine example of great french literature at its best. Hugo is a genuis, the way that he describes the people in hreat detail and the way he conveys what they do to such an extend that you feel that you are actually there, fantastic.
From the moment you pick the book up you are captured in the world ...
Goo_Goo_Frog 30.09.2000
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...video of the production of Les Miserables and see if it is as good or even better than the book. When the book finished, I really wanted there to be a second part to it. Your mind wonders with imagination and thoughts of what could happen next, after you read the last page.
I would recommend this books a thousand times over. I really think it is a great book. It may be hard to start with but you get into the book after the first few chapters. It ...
perera 11.09.2000
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Advantages: Great story, brilliant narrative, and living description Disadvantages: A little too long?
If you pick up this book expecting a light read ŕ la the musical, you’ll be sadly disappointed. However, this book is one of the best you’re ever likely to read, although the 1000 pages of heavy, old-style language is at times hard going. Hugo’s classic is more than just a novel about people, it is a representation of life and is as colourful and changeable as life itself. Like many others, I came to know the story through the musical, and it has ... ...fully appreciate the complexities of the story. On its own, the book stands as a masterpiece of literary detail. The intense descriptions, whilst at time slowing the book down into reverse gear, give it a depth and feeling that is unrivalled in just about any other book I have read. Although the style and size of the book is off putting, it is worth it, and, if like me you go to see the musical again, you can impress all your friends with your in ...
JennyA 10.08.2000
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I have seen the musical twice and loved it both times. When I saw the book, I just had to buy it (the English translation that is).
I have heard that some people regard it as a mistake to see the musical first. I personnally believe that it doesn't matter in which order this is done but the musical should be seen and the book should be read. The book certainly gives the depth of each character while the musical brings the characters into life. It ... ...you know the ending. The two really do go hand in hand.
As a book, I found it incredibly difficult to stop reading the first time I read it. I am not usually one that rereads books, but I couldn't help it. Some translations that I have read before have not had the flow that I imagine the original possessed. That is not true in this case as unless I was told it had been translated, I would swear that this was originally written in English.
This ...
Timphil 02.08.2000
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