Les Miserables

by Victor Hugo, Christine Donougher, Jillian Tamaki, Christine Donougher, Robert Tombs

Paperback, 1456 pages

Published Feb. 24, 2015 by Penguin Classics, Penguin Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-14-310756-9

(61 reviews)

In this story of the trials of the peasant Jean Valjean--a man unjustly imprisoned, baffled by destiny, and hounded by his nemesis, the magnificently realized, ambiguously malevolent police detective Javert--Hugo achieves the sort of rare imaginative resonance that allows a work of art to transcend its genre.

50 editions

Owl of Minerva reviewed Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Review of 'Les Misérables' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A fantastic book about the life of the working classes in France during the early 19th century. An exploration of the character of love, of mercy and forgiveness. The tale of Jean Valjean and his travel through history and to through the different levels of society is spectacularly fascinating and captivating. A fantastic work of realism and historical fiction. I think the book is a good way to explore the nature of humanity, mercy and love but also the reality of 19th century France for the masses. It explores the nature of revolutions and the impacts and powers that coincide in this form of cataclysmic events.

I recommend the book wholeheartedly to anyone interested in French history and it's also a great basis to understand the way many political thinkers came to develop their thought.

Joao Trindade reviewed Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Review of 'Les Misérables' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

An epic story. A view of France after the French revolution. A great description of the battle of Waterloo.

You really have to be committed to finish this book. It's really really long. About 5 to 6 times the length of a "normal" book.

Victor Hugo's writing is quite easy to follow, almost like a casual talk.
As one of the most important pieces of literature, I think you have to read Les Miserables once in your lifetime.

That said, do not read the book if you expect it to be life changing. No deep philosophical ideas here. You will see the world exactly the same way you did before you read the novel.

It's a nice story with great character construction and several times steps away from the main story to give you a description of life in France (nobility, thieves, clerics, lower working class).

In summary: if you're …