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Les Misérables
Les Misérables
As much a history or commentary as a work of fiction, Les Misérables is dominated by France's past. While the fictional aspects may seem to be an afterthought, Hugo's craft is apparent as he weaves multiple characters together. (Translated by Isabel F. Hapgood)
Book Excerpt
lhouettes of this Darkness
VIII. Post Corda Lapides
IX. A Century under a Guimpe
X. Origin of the Perpetual Adoration
XI. End of the Petit-Picpus
BOOK SEVENTH.--PARENTHESIS
I. The Convent as an Abstract Idea II. The Convent as an Historical Fact III. On What Conditions One can respect the Past IV. The Convent from the Point of View of Principles V. Prayer VI. The Absolute Goodness of Prayer VII. Precautions to be observed in Blame VIII. Faith, Law
BOOK EIGHTH.--CEMETERIES TAKE THAT WHICH IS COMMITTED THEM
I. Which treats of the Manner of entering a Convent II. Fauchelevent in the Presence of a Difficulty III. Mother Innocente IV. In which Jean Valjean has quite the Air of having read Austin Castillejo V. It is not Necessary to be Drunk in order to be Immortal VI. Between Four Planks VII. In which will be found the Origin of the Saying: Don't lose the Card VIII. A Successful Interrogatory IX. Cloister
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I studied this novel in high school in 2001. Knowing that it\'s a great one, I decide to update my brain with it.
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I come to this page from rather a different position to most. I am not formally educated having left school aged 12 practically illiterate but over the years slowly educated my self and on discovery of this man and his works can only wish I had lived while he did so I could tell him of his contribution to my life.
Over the past 50 years I have read most of the works of Dickens Tolstoy and many other classic authors and can only say how much I have enjoyed my life because such men lived and posted their works to the improvement of the human family.
Over the past 50 years I have read most of the works of Dickens Tolstoy and many other classic authors and can only say how much I have enjoyed my life because such men lived and posted their works to the improvement of the human family.
05/07/2013
First of all, I want to report a problem with the Kindle version of this book. After what amounts to several hundred pages of reading, there is a break in a sentence followed by the start of a new sentence. There are *years* of events missing in that small opening.
So I went to my library and got a copy there. Interestingly, the library copy was abridged (only about 500 pages) and I couldn't easily find my place. The full version contains a lot of digressions and historical notes, all fascinating. Large, though.
I ended up finishing the abridged version and I loved it. Seriously, one of the greatest books ever, and I don't say that lightly.
If you're up for the full version, it's a commitment. Either way, it's worth it.
So I went to my library and got a copy there. Interestingly, the library copy was abridged (only about 500 pages) and I couldn't easily find my place. The full version contains a lot of digressions and historical notes, all fascinating. Large, though.
I ended up finishing the abridged version and I loved it. Seriously, one of the greatest books ever, and I don't say that lightly.
If you're up for the full version, it's a commitment. Either way, it's worth it.
03/29/2013
Warning! reading Les Miserables will inevitably result in an extended intellectual endeavor to fully appreciate the scope, dramatic implications and historical import of this phenomenal work. For example, based upon Hugo's enrapturing depiction of the Battle of Waterloo, I spent many days studying additional historical accounts, so that I could more fully appreciate his prose. Due to the length of his historical dialog, there is a temptation to skip past the historical descriptions - don't do so! This is a work to be addressed in similar manner to a fine wine - read slowly, carefully, ultimately with incomplete, but more reverent understanding. To this acolyte of classical literature - one of the greatest "novels" every written.
12/17/2012
Clearly one of the greatest stories ever written. I'm enthralled. However, I was disappointed to discover that the .azw format that I downloaded from this website is missing an entire volume in the middle! I am going to buy it, so I can finish reading without missing anything.
05/17/2011
Bhagwad - harden up, mate.
01/10/2011
An interesting and entertaining book with moments of unexpected humor among the darkness exemplified by this period of French history. In my opinion, the characters make up for the heavy-handed melodrama and the consistent use of unlikely coincidences to move the plot along. As is usually the case, the book is far better than what can be gleaned from the films or the musical. At times, its a slog...but well worth one's time.
01/05/2011
Thanks to stumble Upon, I discovered this site!
It would be very interesting for the Franch man I am to discover "les miserables" in English. The story is so beautiful, with so many storis inside, so many characters, from the good to the ugly.
Even if Victor Hugo is a writer from the nineteenth century, his writings, not only "the miserables" but also numerous novels and poems,are so interseting to read.
He is known in the whole World and I think, without any part of chauvinisme, he deserve it.
It would be very interesting for the Franch man I am to discover "les miserables" in English. The story is so beautiful, with so many storis inside, so many characters, from the good to the ugly.
Even if Victor Hugo is a writer from the nineteenth century, his writings, not only "the miserables" but also numerous novels and poems,are so interseting to read.
He is known in the whole World and I think, without any part of chauvinisme, he deserve it.
01/03/2011
One of the greatest books I have ever read, and one of the few books that have moved me even too deeply for tears.
This book will leave you feeling sad, peaceful, thoughtful, and above all, more sensitive.
It does have some VERY long passages (sometimes spanning a hundred pages or so) on the history of France and architecture, the sewers etc, and this can be intimidating to a lot of people. I honestly think that readers can skip these sections and not lose anything of the flavor of the book.
This book will leave you feeling sad, peaceful, thoughtful, and above all, more sensitive.
It does have some VERY long passages (sometimes spanning a hundred pages or so) on the history of France and architecture, the sewers etc, and this can be intimidating to a lot of people. I honestly think that readers can skip these sections and not lose anything of the flavor of the book.
11/23/2008
This is one of the great literary classics of all time. It's unfortunate that so many are intimidated by the size of this book, especially in paperback. But do yourself a favor and read this - the unabridged version that is!
Hugo is a master storyteller. The tale drifts from mystery, suspense, murder, intrigue, drama, philosophy, history, politics and the divisions of the human heart.
Read the book before seeing the musical. In a way it's unfortunate the musical became such a big hit because I think it has kept people away from the book. It is vastly superior, of course.
This book is probably among my top five favorite tales of all time.
Hugo is a master storyteller. The tale drifts from mystery, suspense, murder, intrigue, drama, philosophy, history, politics and the divisions of the human heart.
Read the book before seeing the musical. In a way it's unfortunate the musical became such a big hit because I think it has kept people away from the book. It is vastly superior, of course.
This book is probably among my top five favorite tales of all time.
06/01/2008