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Les Miserables (abridged) (Barnes & Noble Classics) by edited and abridged by Laurence Porter, translate by C. E. W (2012) Paperback
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 13, 2026
Read full review: https://ladyscriptio.blogspot.com/
I know what you're thinking. "Haley, how could you read an abridged version of a book? Isn't that English teacher sacrilege?" One my most oft-listed critiques is that many classics (and other novels as well) are TOO LONG. What makes them too long? Not necessarily page count, but that they say all that is needed and then say more. If I feel that a book is far too lengthy, it is not because it took too long to read. The reason has much more to do with the content. Sometimes, hundreds of pages are needed to communicate an idea or plot correctly. But most of the time, an author doesn't actually have that much to write. They repeat themselves and fill their work with bloated descriptions that distract from the core story.
"What is chiefly lost [in the abridgement] is the novel of ideas...What remains is a novel of character and action see in much clearer outline" (9).
I have not read much French literature at all, and so this being my first time reading Les Mis, I chose to use the abridged version that more clearly highlights the story itself. If those extracurricular aspects were left out, how many reviewers of this book would be able to engage more directly with the narrative itself? I understand why this book has reached the height of acclaim, and I am glad for the opportunity to talk solely about the novel without the entanglement of essays on the Parisian sewer system, however enlightening it may be.
1. There are a lot of plot points in this story, and it covers half a lifetime of ground. It is almost "all things to all people," because it includes characters who traverse everything from falling in love, to personal moral reform, to abandonment by a parent, to military participation. The hundreds of pages went very quickly. I looked forward to picking up the novel each day, because I knew that something new was around the corner of every chapter.
2. When I say that I believed in these characters, it is not an exaggeration. I wept with Fantine at her abuse and death; I was on the edge of my seat when Thénardier held Jean at gunpoint and attempted to rob him. How did Hugo manage to write such relatable characters into a tale from 19th century France? I think it has to do with the caste of humanity lent to each of them.
Les Mis is not only a novel of the miserable. It is also a novel of those who long within themselves for a different world. The people found within hope to see the good in those around them, but they often find the result of unfulfilled longing--dissatisfaction that leads to pain and a crisis of identity. How each character recovers varies, and their responses indicate the trajectory of their lives. Not always do our actions result in the most justly deserved ending, and anyone who has lived for a short amount of time will know this truth in their bones.
3. Les Mis is, at its core, a romance. This quality does not just ring true in the puppy love and marriage between Cosette and Marius, but also in the familial compassion of the likes of Fantine, Jean, and others. An interesting dichotomy exists in a novel about longing, both fulfilled and otherwise. The characters are never dealt joy without the accompanying sacrifice that creates a reality where that contentment is possible. However, the romanticization appears in the foundational belief that there is always someone willing to make that sacrifice on behalf of those who are indefatigably good. The heroes win and the villains do not. Everything aligns so that the soul mates can be together, and fate leads to where they belong.
While there is much tragedy between the covers of this book, both the losses and the gains are viewed as predestined to occur. There is something inherently romantic about the idea that, even in the face of great agony, pure love will prevail. While the romantic elements are not a criticism per se, it is sometimes difficult to swallow the sentimental ponderings and continued chance encounters of those who continue the plot.
4. This point leads me to my last thoughts on the novel. Sometimes, as mentioned in my above examples, the suspension of disbelief becomes a little too much. I primarily felt this way when the same group of characters were repeatedly running into one another, unplanned, in the streets of a bustling city. Maybe once in a novel, a chance encounter or mistaken identity can work for a plot twist. But when that trope becomes the main plot device used over and over again, it starts to lose its luster. Of course Jean will meet Thénardier in the sewers! Who else would he meet? And Eponine spends page and pages being the catalyst of different events throughout the novel. Whenever a shadowy figure was described as doing anything, I immediately knew that it was she.
Maybe one day I will invest time in reading the entire thousand or so pages, in all of its glory, of Les Misérables. I certainly enjoyed the solely narrative portion that I read and would label it a contender for re-reading. I strongly recommend the abridged version, as it is beautifully written, and I would be disappointed were someone to feel hatred toward the book because of the extraneous exposition in Hugo's full tome. Overall, it is a great read that I have thought deeply about since I finished. The novel is beautifully crafted thematically and formally, and I think anyone with a love of good storytelling will find its pages enjoyable.
I know what you're thinking. "Haley, how could you read an abridged version of a book? Isn't that English teacher sacrilege?" One my most oft-listed critiques is that many classics (and other novels as well) are TOO LONG. What makes them too long? Not necessarily page count, but that they say all that is needed and then say more. If I feel that a book is far too lengthy, it is not because it took too long to read. The reason has much more to do with the content. Sometimes, hundreds of pages are needed to communicate an idea or plot correctly. But most of the time, an author doesn't actually have that much to write. They repeat themselves and fill their work with bloated descriptions that distract from the core story.
"What is chiefly lost [in the abridgement] is the novel of ideas...What remains is a novel of character and action see in much clearer outline" (9).
I have not read much French literature at all, and so this being my first time reading Les Mis, I chose to use the abridged version that more clearly highlights the story itself. If those extracurricular aspects were left out, how many reviewers of this book would be able to engage more directly with the narrative itself? I understand why this book has reached the height of acclaim, and I am glad for the opportunity to talk solely about the novel without the entanglement of essays on the Parisian sewer system, however enlightening it may be.
1. There are a lot of plot points in this story, and it covers half a lifetime of ground. It is almost "all things to all people," because it includes characters who traverse everything from falling in love, to personal moral reform, to abandonment by a parent, to military participation. The hundreds of pages went very quickly. I looked forward to picking up the novel each day, because I knew that something new was around the corner of every chapter.
2. When I say that I believed in these characters, it is not an exaggeration. I wept with Fantine at her abuse and death; I was on the edge of my seat when Thénardier held Jean at gunpoint and attempted to rob him. How did Hugo manage to write such relatable characters into a tale from 19th century France? I think it has to do with the caste of humanity lent to each of them.
Les Mis is not only a novel of the miserable. It is also a novel of those who long within themselves for a different world. The people found within hope to see the good in those around them, but they often find the result of unfulfilled longing--dissatisfaction that leads to pain and a crisis of identity. How each character recovers varies, and their responses indicate the trajectory of their lives. Not always do our actions result in the most justly deserved ending, and anyone who has lived for a short amount of time will know this truth in their bones.
3. Les Mis is, at its core, a romance. This quality does not just ring true in the puppy love and marriage between Cosette and Marius, but also in the familial compassion of the likes of Fantine, Jean, and others. An interesting dichotomy exists in a novel about longing, both fulfilled and otherwise. The characters are never dealt joy without the accompanying sacrifice that creates a reality where that contentment is possible. However, the romanticization appears in the foundational belief that there is always someone willing to make that sacrifice on behalf of those who are indefatigably good. The heroes win and the villains do not. Everything aligns so that the soul mates can be together, and fate leads to where they belong.
While there is much tragedy between the covers of this book, both the losses and the gains are viewed as predestined to occur. There is something inherently romantic about the idea that, even in the face of great agony, pure love will prevail. While the romantic elements are not a criticism per se, it is sometimes difficult to swallow the sentimental ponderings and continued chance encounters of those who continue the plot.
4. This point leads me to my last thoughts on the novel. Sometimes, as mentioned in my above examples, the suspension of disbelief becomes a little too much. I primarily felt this way when the same group of characters were repeatedly running into one another, unplanned, in the streets of a bustling city. Maybe once in a novel, a chance encounter or mistaken identity can work for a plot twist. But when that trope becomes the main plot device used over and over again, it starts to lose its luster. Of course Jean will meet Thénardier in the sewers! Who else would he meet? And Eponine spends page and pages being the catalyst of different events throughout the novel. Whenever a shadowy figure was described as doing anything, I immediately knew that it was she.
Maybe one day I will invest time in reading the entire thousand or so pages, in all of its glory, of Les Misérables. I certainly enjoyed the solely narrative portion that I read and would label it a contender for re-reading. I strongly recommend the abridged version, as it is beautifully written, and I would be disappointed were someone to feel hatred toward the book because of the extraneous exposition in Hugo's full tome. Overall, it is a great read that I have thought deeply about since I finished. The novel is beautifully crafted thematically and formally, and I think anyone with a love of good storytelling will find its pages enjoyable.
March 12, 2025
There are many who suffer unjustly in this world. This book is full of many such examples. However, “ the highest justice is conscience”; may the readers conscience be clear, their eternal fate pleasant, and avoid the fate of “Les Miserable”…
I could only pick four or five stars and since there was no way to give it 4 1/2, I settled for four. I did this because the story was beautiful, but there were unnecessary details that felt burdensome even in the abridged version. Also, the religious references and themes are abundant. It didn’t necessarily bother me personally, but it could be uncomfortable for some people. I only mention that for anyone who may be reading reviews prior to giving the book try. The book is not all about religion, but it has a strong religious element running from page 1 to 829.
I had forgotten how truly moving this story is. It creates empathy for the downtrodden, rage for the oppressors, gratitude for the merciful, contentment for what we have, bewilderment towards injustice. It is a lesson of history and a warning for the future.
To me, every character is the epitome of a social construct. Each character represents some faction of society and the role they play upon the lives of people as a whole. It is a fascinating read.
There are many beautiful quotes, which I notated, but I would like to share three here:
1. “ Laughter is sunshine; it chases winter from the human face.”
2. “It is nothing to die; it is frightful not to live.”
3. “She worked to live; Then, also to live—for the heart has its hunger—she loved.”
This book is admittedly very long, but I definitely think it’s worth the effort. Books are not for entertainment purposes only, but they touch our soul and teach us unforgettable lessons. This book is a masterful teacher.
I could only pick four or five stars and since there was no way to give it 4 1/2, I settled for four. I did this because the story was beautiful, but there were unnecessary details that felt burdensome even in the abridged version. Also, the religious references and themes are abundant. It didn’t necessarily bother me personally, but it could be uncomfortable for some people. I only mention that for anyone who may be reading reviews prior to giving the book try. The book is not all about religion, but it has a strong religious element running from page 1 to 829.
I had forgotten how truly moving this story is. It creates empathy for the downtrodden, rage for the oppressors, gratitude for the merciful, contentment for what we have, bewilderment towards injustice. It is a lesson of history and a warning for the future.
To me, every character is the epitome of a social construct. Each character represents some faction of society and the role they play upon the lives of people as a whole. It is a fascinating read.
There are many beautiful quotes, which I notated, but I would like to share three here:
1. “ Laughter is sunshine; it chases winter from the human face.”
2. “It is nothing to die; it is frightful not to live.”
3. “She worked to live; Then, also to live—for the heart has its hunger—she loved.”
This book is admittedly very long, but I definitely think it’s worth the effort. Books are not for entertainment purposes only, but they touch our soul and teach us unforgettable lessons. This book is a masterful teacher.
August 27, 2024
I finish this book in tears… goodness… for all Victor Hugo does to write every drop of description about his characters - and it drives you a bit crazy here and there - he really gets you to connect and empathize with them. I love the way he focuses on the story of each one in a concentrated image of humanity. It can be a little dense at moments, but it really paints a picture in the grand scheme of things. I will say it definitely helped that I 1) knew the musical super well and had faces and names and plot down, and 2) accidentally bought the abridged version. Not that I couldn’t have read the full version, but 829 pages of Hugo was a feat for sure. Maybe one day😄 I’d definitely recommend this book, what a beautiful, intense, and thought provoking story.
September 29, 2023
250 years after don quixote, 50 years after Jane Austen, 15 after bronte sisters, there's absolutely no excuse for writing this bad. there's no excuse for these unrealistic, unbelievable, characters and ridiculous impossible plots.even the abridged 800 page version I only got half way gave up and read the plot summary on Wikipedia.
Characters - 1/5
Writing quality - 2/5
Ending - unattainable
Unputdownable - nope, it's unpickupable
Deeper meaning - it's only redeeming characteristic
Story - completely not credible, ridiculous. 0/5
readability - very bad
I would recommend this book to: no one
Characters - 1/5
Writing quality - 2/5
Ending - unattainable
Unputdownable - nope, it's unpickupable
Deeper meaning - it's only redeeming characteristic
Story - completely not credible, ridiculous. 0/5
readability - very bad
I would recommend this book to: no one
February 19, 2025
Another book for which it feels unfair that the ratings only go up to 5 stars. Then again, 10 or 100 stars wouldn't be adequate, so what can you do?
(Disclaimer: No, I did NOT read this entire book in the span of 21 days. I'm not literally insane. I read most of this book a couple years ago before I was on goodreads, and I was just finally finishing it this past month or so.)
While I do have many MANY thoughts (and feelings) about this story, this is the type of book in which my words will never do it justice. So I shall not even attempt an elaborate review, and will keep this short: Wow.
And that is all.
(Disclaimer: No, I did NOT read this entire book in the span of 21 days. I'm not literally insane. I read most of this book a couple years ago before I was on goodreads, and I was just finally finishing it this past month or so.)
While I do have many MANY thoughts (and feelings) about this story, this is the type of book in which my words will never do it justice. So I shall not even attempt an elaborate review, and will keep this short: Wow.
And that is all.
Currently reading
November 18, 2025My original intent was to read the book before I saw the musical. But due to the length of the book (at least two books) I nixed that idea. Before seeing the musical I read the synopsis from wikipedia. This greatly helped me understand what was going on. Still watnting to read the book, I elected to go with this abridged version. Even at that, it can still be a tedious read, because everything is very "wordy" and described in great detail, but I am persevering.
January 3, 2025
This is my favorite broadway play and I finally got to the book. I was told the abridged is the best way to go because people really don’t need a chapter called “the history of sewers”. I love this story so much.
May 2, 2025
The original gets 5 stars. The abridged version just leaves out too much. But I still love it, and it still makes me want to fight at the barricade with all of them. Such a beautiful story of redemption.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews