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Les Misérables: Volume 1 of 2
One of the great classics of Western literature, Les Misérables is a magisterial work which is rich in both character portrayal and meticulous historical description. Characters such as the absurdly criminalised Valjean, the street urchin Gavroche, the rascal Thenardier, the implacable detective Javert, and the pitiful figure of the prostitute Fantine and her daughter Cosette, have entered the pantheon of literary dramatis personae.
The reader is also treated to the unforgettable descriptions of the Battle of Waterloo and Valjean's flight through the Paris sewers.
Volume One of two volumes in the unabridged Wordworth Classics edition, with an introduction and notes by Roger Clark of the University of Kent at Canterbury. This volume covers parts 1, 2 and up to book 7 of part 3.
The reader is also treated to the unforgettable descriptions of the Battle of Waterloo and Valjean's flight through the Paris sewers.
Volume One of two volumes in the unabridged Wordworth Classics edition, with an introduction and notes by Roger Clark of the University of Kent at Canterbury. This volume covers parts 1, 2 and up to book 7 of part 3.
494 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1994
15 people want to read
About the author
Victor Hugo
6,430 books13.2k followersAfter Napoleon III seized power in 1851, French writer Victor Marie Hugo went into exile and in 1870 returned to France; his novels include
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
(1831) and
Les Misérables
(1862).
This poet, playwright, novelist, dramatist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, and perhaps the most influential, important exponent of the Romantic movement in France, campaigned for human rights. People in France regard him as one of greatest poets of that country and know him better abroad.
This poet, playwright, novelist, dramatist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, and perhaps the most influential, important exponent of the Romantic movement in France, campaigned for human rights. People in France regard him as one of greatest poets of that country and know him better abroad.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 6, 2012
"Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I buy from you; I withdraw it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God." Vol. 1, Book First, Chapter XII
The power of grace.
I always knew I should read this classic work, but it always seemed overwhelming. I am ready for it now.
The power of grace.
I always knew I should read this classic work, but it always seemed overwhelming. I am ready for it now.
October 15, 2011
Really enjoyed this and going straight on to volume 2.
Hugo can be wordy and there are long descriptions of people, events or places that may seem like digressions, but I recommend the unabridged version just because then you can pick which of these you want to read. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the battle of Waterloo (which I knew almost nothing about before, although it's almost as important in British history as in French) and the convent. But most of it is an absorbing narrative and not difficult to read, assuming you like 19th century novels.
Hugo can be wordy and there are long descriptions of people, events or places that may seem like digressions, but I recommend the unabridged version just because then you can pick which of these you want to read. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the battle of Waterloo (which I knew almost nothing about before, although it's almost as important in British history as in French) and the convent. But most of it is an absorbing narrative and not difficult to read, assuming you like 19th century novels.
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August 3, 2021Not quite finished... I found it had way too many word variations for smooth reading... switched to a different translation just before completing Volume 1 of this edition.
Abandoned the other translation so back to this one.
Abandoned the other translation so back to this one.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews