Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

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 ...
...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 ...

alexandrapontecaille 16.10.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

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) · Read full review
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Review of Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

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 · Read full review
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Review of Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

...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 · Read full review
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Review of Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

If you pick up this book expecting a light read à 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 · Read full review
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Review of Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

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 · Read full review
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Review of Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Quite simply, Les Miserables is one of the best books I have ever read. After years of searching through my local library for a decent book to read (and trying endless other books that simply don't compare), I found this, surely one of the great literary masterpieces in history. The story centres around Jean Valjean, a former convict turned good, who tries to put his past behind him but is forced by his conscience to admit to his sins so another ...
...Fantine, Cosette, Marius, etc. are all described superbly well, and Hugo manages to keep you gripped for over a thousand pages, going from descriptions of the battle of Waterloo to a convent in Paris, and detailing both in the kind of brilliance you would expect of an author of his reputation. If you are looking for a book to read that you can get your teeth into, then this has to be it, and I guarentee that if you get into it, you will not regret ...

duncannichols 03.07.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Les Miserables - Victor Hugo