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Summary: A Stunning Novel...
Review: I have read both the abridged and the unabridged versions. Both are stunning. This story can be interpreted from so many levels, and so many people can enjoy it. Jean Valjean is a man who had paid for his crimes. He is a man who has brought himself from the gutters of society to a position of power and respect. Then there is Javert, the abominable police inspector who pursues him. Javert is incapable of believing that any man could be anything but a lawbreaker or a law abider. But Valjean is just that. And that is Javert's undoing. I recommend this book for everyone, not just French students, or people who enjoy classical literature. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed!
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Summary: Classic
Review: An excellent version of this extraordinary classic. This edition belongs in every reader's library.
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Summary: My 3rd time to read Les Miserables-still loving it!
Review: I saw the Broadway Musical in 1990 at the Imperial Theatre in New York City. I fell in love with the musical, first because I'm a musician; the book in its unabridged form, filled in the "gaps" Cameron MacIntosh couldn't stage for sake of time. My favorite characters are "Fantine" (for her selflessness toward Cosette), and Gavroche, the little "gamin"/street urchin. The details of Waterloo are something I've yet to get through quickly, but once that is done, it is much easier to understand Thenardier and Marius' roles in Hugo's novel. This is epic in its scope-it brings forward problems all humanity faces. Like the Bible, one can't read this book without being changed, inwardly. This is my 3rd time to read the book; there will be a 4th.
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Summary: A Tremendous Story
Review: This book tells a very powerful story about a group of people struggling to live their lives as best they can. The story is centered on Jean Valjean and the people he meets as he tries to find self-respect.The ending is the most powerful part of the book. I found some of the chapters long and unnecessary, such as the chapter on the Paris sewer system. But over all I really enjoyed and was moved by this book This is one of my all time favorite books. I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys a good solid story that can transport you to another place and time!
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Summary: Hugo's Passionate Summit
Review: I find it so very hard to write about this beautiful text. Yes, I have to admit that the world now knows a greater deal about it, purly because of the Cameron Mackintosh original West End production, but Les Miserables holds a much more passionate meaning. It's the story of people, like you, and I, that have lived from the heart, and fought for the right of pure freedom and hope. It is our story.
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Summary: Life changing
Review: Les Miserables simply has to be one of the finest pieces of literature ever written. This book will literally change your life if you put the effort into understanding its deep message, and trust me its definitely worth the 1400+ pages to read. This book basically asks what does it mean to be a true Christian, to truly follow God? First, the bishop then Jean Valjean exemplify this to an excruciating degree. Hope rings true throughout this book in light of the horrible conditions that some of the characters had to go through. Whether it be Cosette consigned to basically slave labor for a greedy, ungodly family or Fatine pushed to the limit of desperation searching ceaselessly for money to pay for Cosette even selling some of her teeth at one point, or the incredible struggles that Jean Valjean went through, this book draws you into it, making you feel everything that the characters feel. What a trip.
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Summary: best ever
Review: When i got this book i wasn't sure if i had the patience to actually read it, i mean come on, it's pretty daggum long. But one weekend i was sick and decided that while i was in bed i should read something so i pulled it off my shelf and began. I couldn't put it down . . . literally. I just sat there and read and read. I finished it the next day, honest. It is such a touching story. There is just so much that is going on that there really is never a dull moment. This is a classic that you shouldn't be warry of reading because of it's lenght. It is worth it.
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Summary: a brilliant masterpiece
Review: I have had this novel in my posession for over ten years, but the size of it was so daunting that I didn't begin reading it until last month. However, once begun, it was impossible to put down. You will literally fall in love (in the platonic sense) with the hero, Jean Valjean, whose life is a study of all humanity. The novel utilizes historically accurate information to create a romantic and existentialist story. The tale contains every aspect of a good book: revolution, religion, love, hate, and suspense. There are some books which simply must be read, and this is one of those.
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Summary: There are not enough stars to rate this book
Review: Aside from the Bible, this is the best book ever written. Victor Hugo has given us the best novel in the history of literature via Les Miserables. I try to read this book at least once a year, and I never get tired of it. Hugo demonstrates the meaning of true grace all throughout the pages of this novel. Moreover, the book is a wonderful account of French 19th century European history (esp. the French judicial and political systems). Hugo has a very descriptive writing style that exceeds most all of the other authors of his day. While this unabridged edition looks like a tremendous amount of reading (1463 pages), you will never realize there are this many pages once you begin to get caught up in the storyline. Hugo, with wonderful style and extravagance builds several storylines that culminate into one overall story. Hugo touches the readers intellect as well as emotions as he describes the depravity of man and the guilt that is often suppressed inside each one of us. Moreover, Hugo paints a wonderful picture of grace through several of his characters (i.e. Javert) that would never be expected to show such grace. Also, Hugo digs deep into the human mind to reveal what lies hidden in the thoughts of many of his characters which adds to the romance, struggles, pains, and emotions of the characters he is developing in the story. I cannot recommend this book enough.
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Summary: Inspirational Story of Redemption; Accurate Historial Detail
Review: When I was a child, my father would read portions of this book to me before I went to bed. I was captivated by Jean Valjean and Cosette and their tale of survival, in spite of Javert's persistent pursuit. As an adult, I decided to pick up this book that had so enraptured me as a young girl. In it, I found a phenomenal story for the ages about love, redemption, good versus evil, poverty and survival. I also found that Hugo's meticulous attention to historical detail reignited my interest in the French Revolution and its aftermath. Through the fictional account of Jean Valjean's extraordinary life, Hugo paints a vivid picture of life after the revolution, during Napoleon's remarkable reign. The description of the battle of Waterloo is chilling and interesting to read. I have a BA in European History and I have never been fond of military history and lengthy descriptions of battles, however, I found Hugo's reinactment of Waterloo comprehensive and engaging. It's true that Hugo is fond of ranting and opining on topics that do not directly relate to the fictional tale. I trudged through these laborious political commentaries so that I could get back to the real story. His detailed descriptions of Paris (and it's sewer system) were bearable, although it was tough because I haven't been to Paris. Overall, though, the fictional story is worth all of Hugo's rants, diatribes and transgressions. When I finished the book, I sobbed for an hour and I went into mourning for several days because it was so powerful and inspirational a story. I finally took the black arm band off of my arm and reluctantly picked up another classic. Read it and love it.
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