A peerless masterpiece

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	• Les Misérables (Signet Classics) Victor Hugo Signet Classics, 1987 - 1488 pages average customer review:based on 256 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

THE GREAT FRENCH EPIC

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is a flawless work of art. It is an epic. It is among the greatest novels ever written and is an ode to the poor and downtrodden. It is the book which establishes the old cliche' of stealing a loaf of bread to feed your starving family.

I have never read the new translation but I really have no problem with the great Wilbour translation. What I like about the original translation is that it is so Victorian and is a great and elaborate rendering of Hugo's masterpiece.

This is THE French novel. Don't let anyone tell you that Madame Bovary is better because it's not. Les Miserables is a vast tapestry of history, that's one of the things which makes it so great. It takes place during the Restoration and into the begining of the July Monarchy.

Not only is the story great but the protagonist and antagonist are among the most famous names in fiction: the former convict Jean Valjean and the cold police inspector Javert.

Anyway you can experience this immortal tale, film, abridgement or the original, any translation except the Norman Denny translation (which is only Penguin classics BEWARE) see the films, read the abridgement, read the original, just DON'T DIE BEFORE READING THIS MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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A peerless masterpiece

This is easily one of the best books I've ever read. Victor Hugo is masterful story-teller, yet his understanding of humanity surpasses even his gift as a writer. This is a wonderfully gripping and emotional story.

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Great

Even though I havent finished the book yet, I must say Im pretty satisfied with what Ive read so far. One of this novel's charm is the fact that this is not just pure fiction but an interesting story with a touch of history. The plot is very exciting as much as to keep you on the edge of your seat. When you read about the character its like you get involved with them and you feel what they feel. Victor Hugo makes the character appeal to the reader.
Sometimes reading becomes a little tedious because of the extensive description and detailing but when I kept reading on my interest was soon regained. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading and I hope to finish it soon even though Im missing about 800 pages to go.

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Les Miserables

This is the perfect book for a calm summer morning, rocking on the wrap around porch of an old Southern style Victorian house deep in the heart of Kentucky. The book could be compared to a tootsie-pop. It takes approximately 1, 192 licks to get to the chocolately, chewy center. Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo begins slowly, but if you can endure it, you can slowly "lick" your way to the exciting center of the book.
Victor Hugo connects easily with the reader by telling them directly why events occur and what their significances are in the story. He has uniquely accomplished including history in this old tale by putting real historical events into the book and including his own fictional characters into the events so that the reader can relate. It is somewhat of a hard read, like the tough candy outer shell of the lolli-pop, because Hugo describes everything down to the smallest detail and the least emotion. At times, the reading becomes confusing due to the old French style writing combined with the French language.
The story describes the mysterious life of an escaped convict who encounters many troubles along the way to finding his place in the world and trying to accomplish his destiny. His only real goal in life is to live peacefully and be left alone to do what he pleases with the people he cares for. If you are looking for a book of mystery, suspense, trickery, deceit, un-dying love, a dash of success, and a pinch poverty, this is the book for you. This is not a book that you can just "bite into." The reader must take their precious time to "lick" their way to the end. You will not be able to set the book down until you finally devour the chewy center of the saga of the very misunderstood Jean Valjean.
Jean starts life off as a poor child born to an unfortunate family in old time Europe. Most of his kin dies off and he is left to care for his sister and all of her starving children. One night, desperately trying to feed the kids, he is caught steeling bread from a local bakery. He spends most of his life in jail but manages to escape several times. Upon starting a new life he is able to redeem himself but his past always lingers behind to haunt him.

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Brenda of Tennessee

The best book I've ever read in my entire life. Yes, I've read Tolstoy, James Joyce, etc. But this book holds a special place in my heart. It has it all. Love, Love lost, war, poverty, riches, beauty, orphaned child, and of course, .... a hero.

bd

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, page 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

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