Les Miserables a New Unabridged Translation (Signet Classics)

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Summary: Best novel ever written - essential reading - rated 10++
Review: This novel comprises all the essential elements - suspense, drama, humor, intrigue; a love story, a war story, a police mystery, a psychological drama... it has it all. The story follows the life of a convict, Jean Valjean, who makes a 180 degree change in life after a brief encounter with a truly religious man. The faith of Bienvenu introduces us to Hugo's amazing ability to paint a lasting impression with a few strokes. While endeavoring to live an honest life, Valjean is pursued by a relentless police captain and captured by the love of Cosette, a homeless waive he rescues from an abusive household. Some of literature's most classic scenes are found in these pages - Valjean's escape through the Paris sewers, for example. His description of the battle of Waterloo alone makes the book a memorable read. Along with well rounded and interesting characters and a riveting plot, Hugo's writing itself makes the book a must-read. Lines like "So idleness is a mother. She has a son, robbery, and a daughter, hunger," reminds us that Hugo was France's greatest poet as well as a writer. One can not consider himself well-read without having added Les Miserables to his list. It is mandatory reading - but what a delight mandate

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Summary: I love this book!
Review: Les Miserables is, in my mind, the greatest book ever written. I have read several different editions, and none of them comes close to this one in capturing Hugo's style. Victor Hugo's character development is superb; he manages to capture with skill and clarity countless personality and character types; from the streetwise urchin Gavroche to Marius's ancient grandfather M. Gillenormand. Although I love the way Hugo blends the storyline with his political opinions and social background, for me the characters themselves are the highlight of the book, and the most memorable to be found anywhere. (Particularly Gavroche and Eponine, in my opinion.)There seems to be at least one character for everyone to relate to, and no two dimensional personality types either. I have read the book I think about 6 times since I was 13, and it had kept me entranced every time. The 1000 and something pages pass by quickly, and at the end I find myself wanting to immediately begin it again. I have never cried so hard in my life, or been drawn so deeply into the lives of the characters, than I was in this book. For fans of the musical, reading the book provides much enriching background information on both the characters and the political system of the time. Although it is long, Les Mis is an undisputable classic, and nobody's home should be without a copy

Rating:
Summary: The greatest story ever told!!
Review: This is without a doubt the greatest story I have ever read! Victor Hugo does a masterful job blending his political views with the deep portrayal of each of the book's many characters. I was amazed at his ability to so perfectly capture his characters, from the 12 year old street urchin Gavroche to Marius's ninety year old grandfather M. Gillenormand. The book kept me completely absorbed for all 1000-some odd pages - I have never cried as hard and so much as while reading Les Miserables. For fans of the musical, reading the book also helps add background to the characters and social situation of the time. It is a long read, but I reccomend it highly for anyone who loves good literature

Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: Les Miserables- now a theatre spectacular, is a timeless classic book that is superb! It combines the desparation of many enchanting characters- Fantine, Jean Valjean, and Cossette! The title (translated in English) means "the miserable ones" referring to the poor people which are pourtrayed as only Victor Hugo could do. It is a wonderful story and should be read by everyone! I won't even try to summarize the story, for I can not tell it half as good as Hugo himself. Read it, it's a great treat for all ages! It's length is challenging, but the new translation from Signet Classics is easy to comprehend. Although it is based on more of an adult plot-line, I as a 13 year-old loved it- so just think what you adults can do with it!

Rating:
Summary: This is the best novel in the history of human civilization.
Review: Les Miserables captures the essential truths of the human soul and spins them into a collection of brillantly executed prose. Victor Hugo's ultimate work of eloquence combines poetry, philosophy, and deep, beautiful imagery in a way which set the standard for all great novels since. This edition captures not only the meaning of this great work, but also the soul stirring language in which Hugo describes the plight of man in conflict with the absolute. It is a piece of literature which belongs in every library, bookshelf, and heart of the world

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone breathing and literate
Review: Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" is by far the most wonderful novel ever written in any language. Hugo has created characters whom many feel quite passionately about. From selfless, repentant former convict Jean Valjean and committed, unrelenting Inspector Javert to the streetwise Thenardier children and the idealistic student Marius. The story is the most moving I have read incorporating love, loss, hatred, friendship and just about every other human emotion. The best part of the story, in this reviewers opinion, is that of the student uprising in 1832 Paris. Enjolras, the leader of the students, is by far the most inspiring literary hero ever. With his enthusiasm, commitment, and sacrifice he can steal the heart of anyone who has not abandoned idealism. This book is the only one I would reccomend to every person I know

Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the best story ever told.
Review: Hugo's masterpiece, written in 1826, still stands today as one of the best stories ever told. The characters are complex, and the imagery is quite vivid. The only drawback for modern readers may be the style of writing. Hugo often attaches upwards of 10 adjectives to a noun, and some paragraphs can run two pages or more. There are also long stretches of the story that seem to have no purpose. Some of these chapters the translater has appended to the end of the book, feeling that they do not help the story in any way. Once the reader accepts the idiosyncracies of Hugo however, the story can be fully enjoyed. A story of many people doing what they feel is right no matter what the costs, Les Miserables touches upon every emotion, from unrequited love, to the agony of giving your life for your sick child, to the horrors of war. This version was translated under the pretense that a writer "writes to be read". This provides us with a well written translation, without the choppy reading of some others out there. If you liked the musical, you only know half the story. Everyone should read this story at some time in their life

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Summary: a poignant story of love, war, and poverty
Review: I have read this book three times, spanning from when I was in 6th grade to when I was in 7th grade, which I am currently in. Words cannot describe how wonderful this book is. I read the unabridged version, and was hooked for all of its 1,000- some pages. Basically, it tells the story of an escaped convict, Jean Valjean, and his long path to find his place in the world. A determined police inspector, Javert, has commited his whole self to tracking down Jean Valjean and getting him back in jail. It also tells of Cosette and Marius' beautiful love story, the conniving Thenardier family, and the chronicles of the 1832 uprise, led by the ABC students and the working-class citizens of France. Victor Hugo weaves all of these stories together into one large, glistening web of classic literature. Read it -- you'll agree with me. Don't miss out on this book that has remained popular around the world for over a century -- buy it from Amazon.com, and enjoy.

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Summary: The human race
Review: This is a fabulous book. It's a tale about the human race that applies to all people, places, and time-periods that really touches your heart and makes you think. It's an incredible peice of literature. Read it!

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Summary: A Romantic Masterpiece on Two Levels
Review: Victor Hugo was one of Ayn Rand's favorite writers because the foundation of his work is the purposeful expression of ideals. The plot might be implausable, filled with incredible coincidences, and the characters a bit cartoonish, but this is Hugo's way of distilling to the essence a conflict of good (Valjean), evil (Thernadier) and thoughtless conformity (Javert). Hugo's anti-royalist, pro-revolutionary political ideals are masterfully woven in as well.

The book is also very romantic in the superficial, sensual way, an evocative portrayal of a time and place: France -- especially Paris, in the first half of the nineteenth century. I often found myself balancing a map of Paris in one hand and this thick volume in the other, sleuthing with only partial success for particular streets and landmarks more than 150 years after the fact. The famous description of the Paris sewer system is fascinating but a much smaller part of the story than I expected. The vivid narrative of the Battle of Waterloo is one of many lengthy digressions responsible for the abridgement. To cut corners like this is a shame, symbolic of the chasm between Hugo's time and ours. Works like this were meant to unfold slowly and be savored. More discipline is required today, but reader who employs it will be rewarded with the most complete sense of the place and purpose of this novel in its time.