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Overview
Overview
Les Misérables is widely considered to be one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. First published in France in 1862, Les Misérables is Victor Hugo's greatest achievement--the ultimate tale of redemption. Former prisoner Jean Valjean struggles to live virtuously after an unexpected act of forgiveness by a kindly bishop changes his life. His righteous actions change people's lives in surprising ways and culminate in romance between two young people on the eve of the French Revolution. Now available as part of the Word Cloud Classics series, Les Misérables is a must-have addition to the libraries of all classic literature lovers.
- Format: Hardcover
- Author: Hugo, Victor
- ISBN: 9780394604893
- Condition: Used
- Dimensions: 8.20 x 2.40
- Number Of Pages: 1330
- Publication Year: 1980
Customer Reviews
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A sweeping story that will leave you in tears
Elizabeth M. - 6 years 2 months agoThis book is not a quick read by any means, but it is richly rewarding if you make it through it. Victor Hugo has painted such an extremely vivid picture of 18th century France and every character has so much depth you forget you are reading fiction. There are so many vastly different kinds of misery portrayed in this book too, and all the characters are so webbed together with connections it makes for an immersive story. Jean Valjean’s relationship with Cosette is especially sweet. If you have the time to read it, it is worth it. #RequiredReading
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Les Miserables lives for now
Ron L. - 6 years 2 months agoI first read this book in an abridged version in college and was thoroughly unimpressed. After the musical came out and I saw it 20 years after reading the book I knew I had missed out. I promptly bought the full version and have reread it at least 4 times since. Each time I find more timely ideas and themes for my present stage in life. I am amazed how some things in society have not changed since 1850's France and how we have to continue to fight daily for what is right. I believe that in this time of Black Lives Matter this book still speaks strongly to us.
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Don't Listen to the Naysayers!
Marianne K. - 6 years 5 months agoI have loved Les Mis for a long time but I had no idea what I was missing out on by just watching the musical and watching the miniseries! Don't let anyone tell you it isn't worth the read; I listened to them for far too long! Hugo writes with such depth and intensity that the characters seem to materialize in front of you and invite you into their world--a world which Hugo paints with equal richness in all its history, injustices, and beauty. C.E. Wilbour did an amazing job of capturing the beauty of Hugo's language. This book made me laugh and cry at the same time, it made me frustrated with society and excited about the world, and the longer I read the less I wanted it to end! You will find that Hugo lingers a little too long on commentary that doesn't do anything for the plot, but I find it endearing that we was so passionate about those subjects that he simply couldn't contain himself. I could read Les Mis over and over and never tire of its magnificence.
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A human epic well worth the time.
Rick S. - 8 years 7 months agoThis massive novel (most editions clock in at around 1400 pages) is a daunting and time-consuming but ultimately rewarding experience. The themes of redemption, forgiveness and social justice are timeless and reflect a complex picture of the many facets of human experience, as seen through the life of ex-convict Jean Valjean and the people whom his life touches. While Hugo digresses on a number of subjects, including Napoleon, monasticism and the history of the Paris sewers, these digressions serve to build an engrossing world in which the story is placed. Hugo does a magnificent job of portraying good and evil, justice and injustice, without resorting to standard archetypes of heroes and villains: all of his characters are sympathetic in some way and each shows the potential for becoming either. This book is both long and very dense, so be sure that you will have enough time on your hands to get through it (it took me almost 3 months), but even a glance into it again makes me want to go back and experience it again.
HPB Staff Review