Introducing one of the most famous characters in literature, Jean Valjean- the noble peasant imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread- Les Miserables ranks among the greatest novels of all time. In it, Victor Hugo takes readers deep into the Parisian underworld, immerses them in a battle between good and evil, and carries them to the barricades during the uprising of 1832 with a breathtaking realism that is unsurpassed in modern prose. Within his dramatic story are themes that capture the intellect and the emotions: crime and punishment, the relentless persecution of Valjean by Inspector Javert, the desperation of the prostitute Fantine, the amorality of the rogue Thernadier, and the universal desire to escape the prisons of our own minds.
Les Miserables gave Victor Hugo a canvas upon which he portrayed his criticism of the French political and judicial systems, but the portrait that resulted is larger than life, epic in scope- an extravagant spectacle that dazzles the sense even as it touches the heart.
Just a side note: here's a little history I'm glad I read about before reading this: Les Mis is not set during the French Revolution- who knew? Probably everyone but me ;) I always assumed this was written about the Revolution, but it's actually set in the first half of the 1800s (the main events take place in 1832). The main events take place during the reign of the "Citizen-king" Louise-Phillipe. At this time, General Lamarque was a friend of the people, and his death sparked a small (basically a one day) revolution of the people. Victor Hugo was actually in Paris that day and witnessed the barricades, which inspired the story. This is how Hugo experienced this event: Hugo was walking through Paris and "halfway down the alley, the grilles at either end were slammed shut. Hugo was surrounded by barricades and flung himself against a wall, as all the shops and stores had been closed for some time. He found shelter between some columns. For a quarter of an hour, bullets flew both ways." So he was actually there, which is really interesting! This came from an awesome article about it called "Enjoy Les Miserables, but please get the history straight." (bookhaven.stanford.edu)
Loved
- Wow. I don't even know where to start. This story is a masterpiece and one of the most powerful works of literature ever written- who am I to critique it when it is so much bigger than I am? (Quite literally with its nearly 1500 pages). I will try to write down my thoughts of how this book has moved me, but just know the poignant themes of this story are impossible to relay without having experienced them firsthand.
- The bishop. The first 58 pages of this book are solely about Bishop Bienvenu- his everyday life, his past, and the people he has influenced. It would be worth reading this story just for those 58 pages because the goodness of this man is life changing. I felt so uplifted and inspired reading about the humble, unassuming, and completely selfless manner of this bishop. I was moved by the way he uses Godlike love to lift others and inspire them to be better- which we see beautifully with Jean Valjean.
- Speaking of Jean Valjean, he has become one of my very favorite characters of literature because of his depth, complexity, and goodness. Jean Valjean's transformation at the beginning of the story and subsequent life of selflessness and generosity is, in my opinion, the most powerful element of the story- especially seeing how this transformation was sparked by the pure love of the bishop. I loved experiencing Jean Valjean's thought processes and watching how he chooses selflessness and sacrifice every time he is faced with an excruciating decision. His initial character development after encountering the bishop is beautiful, but the most inspiring test and development of his character occurs at the end of the story through multiple acts of mercy that cost him everything. "There is scarcely anything in the world but that: love one another." These are some of Jean Valjean's last words- and how fitting they are from someone who, through pure Godlike love, was exalted from a bitter and desperate convict to a generous and altruistic saint-like figure. This character development was the crowning theme of the book for me and I wept as I read the last few chapters because I was so moved by Jean Valjean's constant benevolent sacrifices and his lowly humility that truly brings him to the dust.
- Marius. Wow, the musical completely undermines Marius. He is also very complex and goes through significant character development throughout the story as he redefines his beliefs, lives in poverty completely alone, discovers the truth of his father's love for him, and decides where he fits in the fight for his country. The musical also doesn't do credit to Marius' awkwardness! His "meeting" (aka basically stalking) Cosette is hilarious and I laughed out loud on my lunch break while reading the whole chapter of his falling in love with her. His almost frightening determination to follow her paired with his complete lack of any knowledge about the female species makes for some very uncomfortable and funny meetings that had me laughing to myself all day. Marius is not our classic dashing and charming hero- he is complex, moody, obstinate, and so passionate and philosophical that it's a miracle he makes it out the door with his shoes on the right way. However, at the barricade we get to see his real noble and reckless passion at its peak, and I gained respect for him during the battle. I was frustrated with Marius many times, but I loved his complexity, depth, and his natural courage and sense of justice and mercy.
- Cosette. Just being a fan of the musical, I used to never like Cosette. I felt like she was totally naive, helpless, and extremely sheltered. I wasn't wrong- she does fit all these descriptions. However, Cosette does have more personality and pluck than the musical would have us believe: "Actually, by nature Cosette was not easily startled. There was in her veins the blood of the gypsy and the barefoot adventuress. It must be remembered she was more a lark than a dove. She was wild and brave at heart." Cosette is naive, but it's because Jean Valjean wishes her to be and does all he can to keep anything from her that would be distressing to her. But she does all she can to know what's going on and not be sheltered. I gained a lot of respect for Cosette's character throughout the book and I was happy to find she had the personality and spunk she lacks in the musical.
- Enjolras and his friends. Again, the musical is misleading in the relationship of Enjolras and Marius and their friends. Marius really isn't involved with these men throughout much of the story until the barricade. In the book we get so much more history of these young men and their beliefs and personalities, and I grew to love them all in the little stage time they receive in the book. They are noble and sacrificing, and their battle at the barricade is extremely moving. These boys knew they would give their lives for their beliefs, which made them all the more enthusiastic and passionate about their cause- "Where would the shout of love begin, if not at the summit of sacrifice? . . . Brothers, whoever dies here in the radiance of the future, and we are entering a grave illuminated by dawn." At the end of this battle I was very moved by these men, especially Enjolras, because they give their lives so willingly to their beloved Republic. But, sadly and ironically, we realize their courageous fight did not change the face of France as they had envisioned, which makes their sacrifice all the more meaningful- as Hugo points out.
- The themes. There are so many complex and deep themes in this story- the two most powerful for me were those of justice versus mercy, and the theme of love being the most influential force for mankind. In this story, Javert personifies justice with his rigid obedience and worship of the law, and Jean Valjean personifies mercy as he gives feely ever since a merciful act changed his life. The dance of these two enemies throughout the story is fascinating, especially when Jean Valjean surprises Javert with mercy, which Javert finds he cannot live with. There is so much to analyze here, and I love how the story has made me think and examine my own beliefs. The other theme of love is both the crowning pinnacle, and also the weaving golden thread of this novel. The theme of pure, selfless love begins with the bishop and extends through Jean Valjean to impact virtually every character throughout the story. This love from Jean Valjean to Cosette and later Marius is highlighted even more brilliantly against the background of violence, poverty, and desperation. I was moved by the pure, unassuming, and sacrificing love shown throughout this story, and it inspired me to love more deeply and selflessly.
- The writing. Going into this I was expecting Dickens-type writing and I was a little nervous. Don't get me wrong- I love Dickens, but he can be a little tedious at times. But Victor Hugo's writing is much more straightforward and much easier to understand than I expected. Hugo definitely has a voice throughout this story that becomes very familiar and believable. The story does get a little bogged down at times with all the French names and history, but overall I was surprised how engaging the writing is, and most times I couldn't put the book down.
- Ah, there are so many other things I loved- Gavroche, Marius' father, the Thernardiers- there are so many characters to love (or love hating) and I wish I could write about them all.
Didn't Love
- As I said above, for most of the book, I couldn't put it down, but there are many tangents, some of which are long-winded. For example, there are a good 60 pages about the battle of Waterloo that were interesting, but a little tedious. I've realized that Hugo likes to give us the very broad picture of what's happening with every new character, place, and event. I enjoy that, but it does get a little long at times. For example, the tie-in for the 60 pages about Waterloo is that in the last 3 pages Thernadier shows up to loot from the dead soldiers. But as I've read more, I've realized these tangents are where we get much of the social and political commentary, which is a major reason Hugo wrote the book. If you go in prepared for these tangents, they will be less frustrating. I made the decision to read everything Hugo wrote because that's how he intended it to be written, and that mindset helped me stay interested and focused on everything he had to say, whether or not it was directly related to the plot.
Content
Content
- Language:
- Occasional use of "damn."
- Sexual content:
- Talk of Fantine's desperation that drives her to become a prostitute. Nothing is described- this occupation is so subtly referred to that it could be missed easily if one is not paying attention. No sexual acts described or even innuendo in regards to this.
- Many references to mistresses, especially among Marius' friends. Nothing graphic and little innuendo.
- One or two chaste kisses.
- Violence:
- Mention of a woman being stripped to the waist, tied to a pole, and tortured while her breasts are swollen with milk, and having her child starve in front of her.
- Multiple mentions of parents beating children, husbands beating wives, etc.
- Mentions of people being beheaded by the guillotine and people enjoying the spectacle.
- Quite a few mentions of battle injuries and deaths, but nothing bloody or gory.
- Many mentions of a gang who use violence and manipulation to get what they want.
- A setup of a robbery. Some shots are fired, but no one is killed. Some beatings and injuries.
- The barricade gets very violent- many deaths of characters we know. Talk of characters getting shot, stabbed, and bayoneted. Blood is described, but mildly. Many bodies described, a child is shot, and two men are shot many times.
- A man shoots a bystander watching from his window. A few references are made to this man still watching while he is dead because his face is still pressed against the window even as he is dead. Mention of blood trickling out the window down the building.
- The man aforementioned is shot in the head in front of everyone as punishment for killing an innocent person.
- Occasional use of "damn."
- Talk of Fantine's desperation that drives her to become a prostitute. Nothing is described- this occupation is so subtly referred to that it could be missed easily if one is not paying attention. No sexual acts described or even innuendo in regards to this.
- Many references to mistresses, especially among Marius' friends. Nothing graphic and little innuendo.
- One or two chaste kisses.
- Mention of a woman being stripped to the waist, tied to a pole, and tortured while her breasts are swollen with milk, and having her child starve in front of her.
- Multiple mentions of parents beating children, husbands beating wives, etc.
- Mentions of people being beheaded by the guillotine and people enjoying the spectacle.
- Quite a few mentions of battle injuries and deaths, but nothing bloody or gory.
- Many mentions of a gang who use violence and manipulation to get what they want.
- A setup of a robbery. Some shots are fired, but no one is killed. Some beatings and injuries.
- The barricade gets very violent- many deaths of characters we know. Talk of characters getting shot, stabbed, and bayoneted. Blood is described, but mildly. Many bodies described, a child is shot, and two men are shot many times.
- A man shoots a bystander watching from his window. A few references are made to this man still watching while he is dead because his face is still pressed against the window even as he is dead. Mention of blood trickling out the window down the building.
- The man aforementioned is shot in the head in front of everyone as punishment for killing an innocent person.
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