 "Epic Redemption!" | 2009-11-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A11HHGWKNO7XFV |
| Jean Valjean, the convict, the mayor, the father, the saint. One of the greatest redemption stories of all time. And worth every page! Masterpiece! |
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 "Poor packaging!" | 2009-10-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: ANRTUO6KDDQUX |
| The book itself was fine, but the entire end of the box was open when UPS brought it to the door. If the driver hadn't kept it upright in the truck and while handling it, it would have slid right out of the box. Not what I've come to expect from Amazon's shipping. |
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| "It's a classic for a reason" | 2009-09-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A36VH5B1T6CFOD |
| I've seen the musical several times, seen the movie (w/Liam Neeson), and watched the DVD musical many more times. I finally decided to pick up the book and read it. Bear in mind I am a software engineer and mostly read technical books/sci fi. This kind of book is quite a departure from what I normally read. I couldn't decide which one to read the abridged or un-abridged versions. I finally decided on the un-abridged and I think it's been worth it. Hugo describes life in 19th century France in such complete and vivid detail it's amazing. His language is often poetic if not a bit wordy at times. The themes he covers I feel resonate even in current times. There are sections that I feel while great at covering the political/military/historical ideas of the time don't really add much to the story. I feel the real drama is in the characters, it's important to understand the context of their time but sometimes there is too much context and not enough plot movement or character development. This book is definitely worth the word, however be prepared for some serious reading. This edition clocks in at 1463 pages and it's not all easy reading. |
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| "Les Miserables---The best commentary on humanity, ever!" | 2009-08-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2YYE3BD10PDO6 |
I have been a fan of this translation of Les Miserables for many years. In fact, my hard bound copy is lovingly falling apart. I read it just a little at a time to actually savor what is being said about not only the political climate of the early 19th century but about humanity in general.
There have been many criticisms over the years: The book goes off on tangits, the plot is too contrived and confused, and, for people like my mother, just too depressing. Some people still have the audacity to think it is set during the French Revolution. (I shudder still thinking about it.) Personally with this translation I can feel the power of the human spirit, the glorious redemption of Jean Valjean, the heart-breaking life of Eponine, and the utter failure of the students at the barricade. Give it time, give it patience and you will enjoy this tale. |
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| "rIchest reading experience you can get" | 2009-07-31 |
| - Reviewed By User: AINACBTW8KET9 |
Just forget whatever qualms you may have about a book this thick. Get it, start it, and get ready for one of the richest, most satisfying reads you can experience. I made the mistake of reading an abridged version first, and while it was a good book, (I think one reviewer opined that it's hard to kill Hugo) it nowhere approached the greatness of this unabridged edition. For some reason, I decided to slog through the "long" version, and I was astonished. First thing off the bat, the unabridged version had completely omitted the critical first chapters on the Bishop! And so on and so on. In my humble opinion, any abridgment completely robs this book of its very essence. To read the whole thing is like reading a great story, philosophy, and history, all written in a "voice" that approaches poetry. And here's the best news for those like me who are not academics and who dread long books: It's an easy read!! It goes fast! As is my custom with overly long books, I took a break in the middle to read something light. Only I couldn't get interested, and got right back to Hugo.
Again, I am not an academic, and I don't consider that my literary opinions are all that interesting. My only point is directed to all those who, like me, shy away from huge books. This one is different! This one is a classic which should be read not because it's a classic, but because of the pure pleasure and enrichment you will get. There have been some great reviews, but honestly, it's impossible to do justice to this masterpiece. |
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| "..."And So, Fantine Was Watched...."" | 2009-07-29 |
| - Reviewed By chemarle |
The title of this review reflects one of the most critical moments in the life of the young French peasant woman, Fantine, the ill-fated female counterpart of Jean Vajean, the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 epic tale about a convict's redemption.
Valjean stole a loaf of bread in a desperate attempt to feed his sister and her children. He was arrested, and incarcerated, and due to repeated attempts to escape, ultimately serves 19 years on a chain gang. Upon his release from prison, he has difficulty readjusting to society, and in finding lodging because the yellow pass he must carry to inform others of his status as an ex-convict results in doors slamming in his face.
The hardened policeman, Inspector Javert remains on his tail. But Valjean's slow path to redemption begins due to the charitable acts of the Bishop of Digne, who takes him in and covers for him when he is confronted with the candlesticks he stole from the Bishop.
Turning over a new leaf, Valjean becomes the mayor of Montfermeil, and the head of a factory.The young factory worker, Fantine, has tried to be discreet about her status as an unwed mother. With her fair hair, and white teeth, she is envied by the other poor female factory workers who apparently feel that she hasn't suffered enough for their satisfaction. So they begin to watch her, and nose into her business, and eventually find a reason for her to be dismissed. As she was paying for her own lodging, and for her daughter, Cossette, to be sheltered by the inkeeper, Thenardier and his wife, life for Fantine now becomes abysmal, and she gradually sacrifices her beauty, locket, incisors, and eventually whatever self-respect she may have had left to pay her debts.This reflects the tragic scenario of how women can do more to tear each other down than some men can, and from our modern standpoint, we appreciate that women had fewer options at the time, and Fantine had to operate in a world that was much less forgiving.
Valjean rescues her after her arrest by Javert when a prospective customer provokes the young prostitute her and she attacks him in return. Due to illness, he lodges Fantine home where she is cared for by Sister Semplice. As Valjean promises Fantine that he will find and raise her child, Cossette, an incident results in the arrest of a man resembling Valjean, and Valjean knows he cannot let an innocent man be incarcerated in his stead.Another confrontation between Valjean amd Javert inside Valjean's house, results in Javert berating the young woman unsympathetically even as she is on her deathbed.The last words she hears on earth are words that will destroy whatever hope she had left.
Valjean knows that the mother's tragedy has to become her daughter's triumph. After escaping from prison again, he finds the horribly abused little skivvy fetching water in the dark woods, and pays her villainous guardians (who indulge their own daughters, Eponine and Anselma)to take her away, presenting her with a beautiful doll, and her first decent clothes in many years--a mourning dress for her mother.
Filled with intricate details of period and place,Hugo leads us on a journey around France that ends in the Paris of the 1830s where the convent-educated Cossette( whose given name means "Will be victorious") grows into a beauty, and attracts the attention of the young student Marius. But a student insurrection lies on the horizon and it will have a tremendous impact on the lives of many.
We are introducted to the student leader, Enjorlas, the young urchin, Gavroche, whose tragic story counterbalances Cossette's, we see what befalls Thernardier's grown daughters, and how one of them grows up to have some redeeming virtues,we see Javert come to terms with his own hardened and pitiless attitude, and we review an entire array of characters that will provoke readers and stir imaginations for many generations to come.
Hugo insists in the introduction for this masterpiece that,..."So long as ignorance and misery remain on this earth, books like this will never be useless."
Simply stated, I agree.
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