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Summary: Like A French War and Peace
Review: There are similarities between the two books. Les Mis and War and Peace depict the same era, both are long and satisfying reads, and both were published in the 1860s. I, however, enjoyed this book more than War and Peace. Its style and characters are legendary, and the translation is excellent, I would recommend the Penguin classic edition. The story is well-known: Jean Valjean is sent to prison for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread, a gendarme named Javert pursues him while he tries to escape his past. There is also the story of Fantine and Cosette, a mother fallen from fortune and her daughter. The descriptions of such events as the July revolution and the Paris Sewers are unforgettable, this is probably the greatest French novel ever written. So, its long. Big deal. Buy it and read it, it is worth it. -m-
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Summary: Why do they do this? WHY?!?
Review: No one has a way with words quite like Victor Hugo. He has a completely unique way of setting up a situation and an exceptional knack for coming up with complex, yet enjoyable plots. Les Miserables, his most ambitious work, is arguably one of the greatest literary accomplishments ever and I truly loved it. This, however, would be lost to any of the readers to this edition, b/c they are not truly reading Hugo's great work, they are reading a version that has been nipped and tucked to fit into the publishers' idea of a good book; that is, one short enough to keep today's average, short-attention-spanned readers from becoming bored. In reading this book, you are admitting to the publisher that you are too lazy and dumb to grasp real literature or appreciate beautiful use of language when you see it. If you want to read a great book, read the original, don't read this censored rubbish.
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Summary: A timeless piece!
Review: I have heard about this story even when I was a child but I simply found it discouraging to read the thick classical book. The picture of the wretched girl on the cover never failed to catch my attention & my curiosity. Now that I have considered myself to have matured, & after seeing the 10th anniversary concert & the movie, I thought I was ready to read this timeless piece. Lo & behold! I chose the unabridged version! Despite knowing the story by heart, I am surprised to discover the complexity of an unabridged version. My being unfamiliar with the French history was even more to my disadvantage. Only my obsession with the story drove me to finish the thick book. Despite its reading difficulty & complexity levels, I didn't find it a disappointment though. It just opened my eyes more to the social illnesses suffered by Jean Valjean, Fantine et al & consumed me even more - both mentally & emotionally. I recommend everyone to read this. However, I strongly suggest that you try the abridged version first so as not to be easily discouraged. After having read that & you feel ready to go for the more complicated stuff, then proceed reading the unabridged version. You'll appreciate it more.
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Summary: The Best Book In The Enitre Universe
Review: I just have to say that I love this book more then anything in the world. I've read it six times, three in English, three in French, and I'm working on my seventh time as we speak. The first time I read it, I cried for an hour, I still do whenever I read it. It's the most moving piece of literature in the history of great classic novels and I would be truly deprived if I hadn't read it.
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Summary: One of the Greatest Stories Ever Written!
Review: Cynics may whine at the book's large size. The text goes on for well over 1000 pages. However, within these 1,500 pages is the experience of a lifetime. This is Victor Hugo's classic novel, Les Miserables. Hugo penned this social criticism in the 19th century. But it's message of the miserable will forever wring in the hearts of those who read this tale. (It is also present in a growing number of film versions, and in the classic Boublil-Schonberg musical.) The story is about Jean Valjean. He is a good man, yet a tortured one. He was jailed for nineteen years on a chain gang, for no other reason for stealing a loaf of bread. The book centers on his life. It tells of the lives he touches, and those who teach him a lesson in their own time. The book also tells of the lives of the poor and desparate Fantine. Her husband left her, and she is forced to give up her child to two invalids, the Thenardiers. She is driven to becoming a prostitute and is forced to shed her pride. Another major character is one of the most innocent adversaries in literature. The inspector Javert is a man driven by his own convictions. He was born in a jail to a gypsy. He has tried to make ammends by becoming a Christian. It is his strong religious beliefs that drive him on. He believes that Valjean is an evil man, and he will go through everything to catch the man. However, in the end, he realises the truth that it was he who had comitted the sin, and he kills himself. Other characters in the book are Fantine's child whom Valjean saves, Cossette. Marius, a rebel who marries Cossette. The kind bishop who teaches Valjean to do good. Hugo collected this story throughout his life. The book is filled with his experiences and his beliefs. As a boy, he was greatly opposed to the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte. His father was a French general under Napoleon, and this caused many fights between the two. These fights are quite similar to that of Marius and his father. One night, on the streets of Paris, Hugo came accross a a man raping a poor and screaming woman. The woman was the one arrested. Hugo spoke to the polie inspector to set things right. This encounter greatly resembles that of Fantine and Valjean. Contray to what is universaly thought, the book is not about the French Revolution. The story takes place AFTER the French Revolution. In fact, the major part of the book takesplace during the student revolution of the early 1820's. To those who scoff at the books enormous length, and go to the abridged version, you are missing quite a lot. The abridged version is a very brief, and very poiintless adaptation that contains few of the lessons of the original novel. Hogo's novel was already cut down at it's first publishing, believe it or not. To read only a 400 page book out of the 1,500 page original is denying Hugo the right to be heard. A note on this particular translation. This translation is a new one, that was published first in the late 1980's, when the musical appeared on London and Broadway stages. It is easier to read than the prior Charles Wilbour version, but it retains every bit of writing in that version. It is unabridged, hence it's size. Also, there are selctions of the French that are still present. These have an English translation under them, but they are still wonderful, and retain the poetry of the French. This is a great asset to any home library. I urge you to purchase it. It is something that you will never forget.
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Summary: Great classic
Review: Traces life of convict Jean Val Jean. Wonderful story of humanity and compassion.
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Summary: An Entertaining Tale of Perfect Morality
Review: Even though I have my complaints about "Les Miserables" it is really impossible to give it less than five stars. You know it is a classic when you are reading it. Somehow, inherently, you know it is the work of a true genius. The basic plot has become somewhat mainstream and familiar. The story of Jean Valjean and how he steals a loaf of bread, spends 20 years in prison, and dedicates the rest of his life to helping the downtrodden, particularly the orphaned Cosette is what comprises most of the movie adaptations and the famous broadway musical. However, this basic plot is just the tip of the iceberg. As with Dostoyevsky and Ben Jonjak, the plot is just an outline from which to hang a plethora of abstract discussions on all manner of topics ranging from morality to the state of the sewers of Paris. Though Hugo doesn't give as much credibility to the more pragmatic side of his moralistic arguments as Dostoevsky and Jonjak do, it is entertaining and somewhat rewarding to see the spirit of true altruism presented so diligently. By reading the whole novel, instead of just focusing on the broadway or film productions, you get a much larger comment on human nature. The novel offers a unique assessment of the human condition that cannot quite be obtained from any other writer than Hugo. If you consider yourself a person of letters, this is a must read.
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Summary: Ooh la la la, Les Miserables
Review: This is the greatest book ever. I know everyone is saying that, and it gets kind of hard to believe, especially when there are such books out there as The Purple Crayon and Goodnight, Moon. However, as much as I love a good bedtime story, Les Miserables far surpasses even Goodnight,Moon in poetry and depth. Seriously, though, it's a really great book. I read it because I loved the musical, which I think is the case with a lot of people, and, I'll admit, there were times during the Waterloo and convent chapters when I wanted to break something, but my IQ has been raised nearly 700 points for having read them. But I'm not going to lie like some other people and say that they were good, because, in all honesty,they weren't. But it's worth it, to read them, because I know so much more about the Paris sewer system than I'll ever be able to use. However, regarding the part of the story with an actual plot, it's wonderful. I don't think anything better was ever written. You've got every type of character you could possibly want: prostitute with a heart of gold, righteous, wealthy man on the lamb, the obsessed policeman, the swindling, pirate-like guy and his poor, grungy family, the pretty, spoiled adopted daughter whom everyones hates (but I don't, I think Cosette is cool), and lovesick boyfriend whom everyone loves (Including, and especially, me), the unrequitted lover, and the revolutionists. There are all the themes of life today: love, war, obsession, organized crime.... It's a good book. Do yourself a favor and read this book. Also, then you'll know what everyone's talking about when they say to you "Who am I? 24601!" Because I am well aware that everyone says that, all the time. PS- That's no ordinary rabbit.
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Summary: Great Book
Review: Les Miserables is the the best book I have ever read. I have read both versions, abridged and unabridged. I had to read the abridged version in my AP English class and I was alittle out there on some parts so I bought the unabridged version and read it. It was awesome. I read the book over and over again. If you buy this book which you should definately get the unabridged. Its worth your while. Victor Hugo did an awesome job with this book.
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Summary: Some Mixed Feelings
Review: This is maybe the greatest story I've ever read. I am an avid reader and have read many books, classics as well as current fiction. The story of Jean Valjean is incredible. The feelings of emotion I experienced through parts of the book (especially the last chapter) are indescribable. The problem is that it's too long. Now I understand the need to experience a book the way it was intended to be read. That is why I would NEVER advise someone to read anything but an unabridged version of any book. You should read what the writer intended to convey. That being said, the book could have been a bit shorter. One of the problems for an educated but average reader like myself is that Hugo seemed to write too much in the times. By this I mean that it feels as though in much of his writing he uses too many references that can only be understood if you were living in or about that time or you were a French history buff. Sometimes it feels as though he never foresaw his novel being read 120 years after he wrote it. Iv'e read other authors (Dostoevsky for example) that didn't give me this feeling. All and all, to experience this great story and the ideal sense of duty and love made to feel attainable through Hugo's characters, is well worth this long and sometimes tedious journey.
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