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Summary: A wonderous story of rising above what life has delt.
Review: After seeing the operetta several times, I was totally enthralled with this story. I sought out any movie version I could get my hands on and have enjoyed 4 different versions: The original French movie from the 1930's, a 50's American version, a 1970's Anthony Perkins as Javert (excellent portrayal!), and the new release with Liam Niesen. All of these had inconsistancies - so to satisfy my need to understand the true story, I purchased this unabridged story. The descriptions of Paris and the battle of Waterloo were a bit of a bore (I Evelyn Wooded passed much of those parts). Other than this, it is one of the greatest books I have ever read! I am disappointed that the opera and all the movies deviated from the basic storyline as they did! None of the stories gave any history on Fantine and how she came to leave Cosette at the Inn; or described how Jean Valjean actually was put in prison and escaped, or how he saved the sailor who was hanging from the sail line. ! I did have one disappointment from the book, I had hoped to learn that Jean Valjean and Fantine had prior relationship (but did not recognize each other after many years and hardships) and that Cosette was actually Jean's daughter. I was sad to learn that the other stories depicted this relationship correctly, that they were just strangers who forever impacted each others lives. This story has something for everyone: a touching love story between Jean / Fantine, Jean / Cosette, Cosette / Marius; a story of war and comaradere; a story of human suffering, faith and character.
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Summary: C'est magnifique!
Review: I read this book prior to the release of the motion picture, so I would be able to tell how much they had altered it. I read the complete and unabridged version, and WOW!! I could not believe how much I liked it. After you get past the language, and the length (I had to keep changing positions while I was reading because the book was so heavy), it is a really good book. You start rooting for Marius and Cosette to get together and I even pride myself on the fact that I guessed that the neighbors were the tavern keepers. Once you get into the hundreds, it is impossible to stop, it gets so interesting. And the little side books about the nuns, Waterloo, and the bishop, while not pivotal, are really interesting too, especially the one about the nuns. READ IT!! I'm generally speaking a JD Salinger kind of person, but I loves Les Mis. And unabridged is the only way to go.
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Summary: Tender story of an ex-convict who re-discovers life.
Review: I began to read "Les Mis" as a challenge to myself. As I read the last pages this evening it was all that I could do to keep from bawling. Although I've never seen the musical or the various films, I can't believe that any adaptation can do justice to Hugo's beautiful knowledge of language. Although there is some rough going at the descriptions of historical, societal and political France Hugo constantly returns to his masterful description: "Only a thin partition separated him from that small cluster of lost souls groping in the darkness and sundered from the living world; he had heard them living, or rather suffering, with a few yards of him.... They are les miserables -- the outcasts, the underdogs. And who is to blame? Is it not the most fallen who have most need of charity?" It is thus that Hugo captures the most icy hearts. The reader can't help but be enthralled by the trials and tribulations of Jean Valjean, the ex-convict with a will ! to live outside the mire. With some help, he learns that there is so much to live for, and so much to lose. With a bittersweet ending that does a Mexican-hat-dance on the emotions, "Les Mis" is a true classic.
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Summary: I READ THE WRONG VERSION
Review: FOR YEARS I HAVE WANTED TO READ THE ENTIRE LONG VERSION, BUT FELT I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET INTO IT. I SETTLED FOR THE ABBRIDGED VERSION AND ALTHOUGH I LIKED IT, I WAS DISAPPOINTED. I FELT THAT THERE WERE THINGS MISSING AND AT TIMES I WAS CONFUSED. THE VERSION I READ WAS ONLY 400 PAGES AND THEREFORE LEFT OUT A MAJORITY OF THE DETAIL. THE STORY REMAINS A CLASSIC.
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Summary: You have to read this book.
Review: I loved the book Les Miserables, it showed how poverty and the rich interacted and how tough life was. It was so real. Each character symbolized a, well I don't know how to put it, but they each symbolized the types of people and how life was. I read this book when 3 months ago, and haven't forgotten a word yet. I am reading it again.
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Summary: The best book ever!
Review: This is possibly the best book ever writen on this whole plant (except the Bible of course). It is a very moving book. I cried so hard during this book and it is my all time favorite. I recommend this book to everyone.
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Summary: This is not a novel -- it is a masterpiece
Review: Les Miserables is by far one of the greatest works -- if not THE greatest work -- of Western Literature ever written. To say anything less would do injustice to Hugo's creation...a creation that, with its universal and worldly truths, still is as relevant today as it was a century ago. To fully appreciate this masterpiece however, do not settle for an abridged version: though seemingly intimidating, the full unabridged version (such as the Wilbur or Fahenstock translations) is more than worth the effort. Hugo's discussions, word use, and tangents are unparalleled, and to read a shortened version is to miss out on the essence of the novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Too abridged
Review: I love the story of Les Mis. But this book left out what I cansider to be important details and leaves the reader a bit confused with the some of the events. I would suggest this version to someone who wishes to be merely introduced to the story. Not to a serious reader.
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Summary: Phenomenal
Review: 5 stars does not do this book justice. It is the greatest of all compositions written by man, shaming much of the nonsense produced nowadays. The poignancy felt as we follow Jean Valjean's never-ending journey through France, the bond of love shared between Cossette and Maurius, the vivid language, the lessons on life, all these combined together create one of man's greatest achievements since the creation of the word.
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Summary: This is the best book I've read in years!
Review: The book Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is an absolutly fabulous story. After finishing it, I was sad in a way because I wanted the plot to go on forever. It is about a convict in 19th century France. Nine years after being realeased from prison he becomes mayor of a small town. One of his old prison guards who would often beat him while he was in jail coincidently showed up in his town to work for the mayor. He remembers his old guard but cannot say anything, for if he does, he will be put back into prison because ex-convicts are not permitted to be a political figure. Later in the story, the mayors old guard remembers him as an convict and the story begins! Constantly on the run from the French government, the (now ex-mayor) must stay out of sight while raising a child whom he promised to a dying woman he would care for. This story is amazing every second and I could never take my eyes off of it!
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