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Les Misérables: Victor Hugo
The story begins in 1815 in Digne, as the peasant Jean Valjean, just released from 19 years' imprisonment in the Bagne of Toulon—five for stealing bread for his starving sister and her family and fourteen more for numerous escape attempts—is turned away by innkeepers because his yellow passport marks him as a former convict. He sleeps on the street, angry and bitter. Digne's benevolent Bishop Myriel gives him shelter. At night, Valjean runs off with Myriel's silverware. When the police capture Valjean, Myriel pretends that he has given the silverware to Valjean and presses him to take two silver candlesticks as well, as if he had forgotten to take them. The police accept his explanation and leave. Myriel tells Valjean that his life has been spared for God, and that he should use money from the silver candlesticks to make an honest man of himself. Valjean escapes, is recaptured, and is sentenced to death. The king commutes his sentence to penal servitude for life. While imprisoned in the Bagne of Toulon, Valjean, at great personal risk, rescues a sailor caught in the ship's rigging. Spectators call for his release. Valjean fakes his own death by allowing himself to fall into the ocean. Authorities report him dead and his body lost. Valjean arrives at Montfermeil on Christmas Eve. He finds Cosette fetching water in the woods alone and walks with her to the inn. He orders a meal and observes how the Thénardiers abuse her, while pampering their own daughters Éponine and Azelma, who mistreat Cosette for playing with their doll. Valjean leaves and returns to make Cosette a present of an expensive new doll which, after some hesitation, she happily accepts. Éponine and Azelma are envious. Madame Thénardier is furious with Valjean, while her husband makes light of Valjean's behaviour, caring only that he pay for his food and lodging.
Eight years later, the Friends of the ABC, led by Enjolras, are preparing an act of anti-Orléanist civil unrest (i.e. the Paris uprising on 5–6 June 1832, following the death of General Lamarque, the only French leader who had sympathy towards the working class. Lamarque was a victim of a major cholera epidemic that had ravaged the city, particularly its poor neighborhoods, arousing suspicion that the government had been poisoning wells). The Friends of the ABC are joined by the poor of the Cour des miracles , including the Thénardiers' eldest son Gavroche, who is a street urchin.
After Éponine's release from prison, she finds Marius at "The Field of the Lark" and sadly tells him that she found Cosette's address. She leads him to Valjean's and Cosette's house on Rue Plumet, and Marius watches the house for a few days. He and Cosette then finally meet and declare their love for one another. Thénardier, Patron-Minette and Brujon manage to escape from prison with the aid of Gavroche (a rare case of Gavroche helping his family in their criminal activities). One night, during one of Marius's visits with Cosette, the six men attempt to raid Valjean's and Cosette's house. However, Éponine, who has been sitting by the gates of the house, threatens to scream and awaken the whole neighbourhood if the thieves do not leave. Hearing this, they reluctantly retire. Meanwhile, Cosette informs Marius that she and Valjean will be leaving for England in a week's time, which greatly troubles the pair. Valjean arrives at the barricade and immediately saves a man's life. He is still not certain if he wants to protect Marius or kill him. Marius recognizes Valjean at first sight. Enjolras announces that they are almost out of cartridges. When Gavroche goes outside the barricade to collect more ammunition from the dead National Guardsmen, he is shot dead.
Eight years later, the Friends of the ABC, led by Enjolras, are preparing an act of anti-Orléanist civil unrest (i.e. the Paris uprising on 5–6 June 1832, following the death of General Lamarque, the only French leader who had sympathy towards the working class. Lamarque was a victim of a major cholera epidemic that had ravaged the city, particularly its poor neighborhoods, arousing suspicion that the government had been poisoning wells). The Friends of the ABC are joined by the poor of the Cour des miracles , including the Thénardiers' eldest son Gavroche, who is a street urchin.
After Éponine's release from prison, she finds Marius at "The Field of the Lark" and sadly tells him that she found Cosette's address. She leads him to Valjean's and Cosette's house on Rue Plumet, and Marius watches the house for a few days. He and Cosette then finally meet and declare their love for one another. Thénardier, Patron-Minette and Brujon manage to escape from prison with the aid of Gavroche (a rare case of Gavroche helping his family in their criminal activities). One night, during one of Marius's visits with Cosette, the six men attempt to raid Valjean's and Cosette's house. However, Éponine, who has been sitting by the gates of the house, threatens to scream and awaken the whole neighbourhood if the thieves do not leave. Hearing this, they reluctantly retire. Meanwhile, Cosette informs Marius that she and Valjean will be leaving for England in a week's time, which greatly troubles the pair. Valjean arrives at the barricade and immediately saves a man's life. He is still not certain if he wants to protect Marius or kill him. Marius recognizes Valjean at first sight. Enjolras announces that they are almost out of cartridges. When Gavroche goes outside the barricade to collect more ammunition from the dead National Guardsmen, he is shot dead.
538 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1862
253 people are currently reading
1696 people want to read
About the author
Victor Hugo
6,471 books13.1k 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 - 30 of 214 reviews
January 31, 2013
It's hard to imagine how someone could manage to get a 1000+ page book shortened enough so that it is only slightly over a hundred pages while managing to keep the entire story. Monica Kulling, however, does a wonderful job. Her adaptation of the book is written like a letter from Jean Valjean to Cosette, which means it cuts out a lot of back story, because Jean Valjean would not know of those things. However, all the important parts of the book are still kept in, including things that are not in the musical version of Les Miserables, such as Jean Valjean being arrested again and escaping after falling into a river.
Some of the best parts about this book is that because it is written in the form of a letter, we see more of Jean Valjean's emotions, what he was feeling at certain times of the story. One of my favorite sections was when Jean Valjean at the Thenardier's inn to take Cosette away. In that section of the book it is very clear how kind and loving this older man is to a young girl he has never seen before in his life.
Because of the way the book is written there are a number of scenes that had to be cut out, which I understand, however, I wish there was a way that they could have been left in. Those scenes mostly include the Students fighting at the Barricade. Those scenes are some of the most powerful in the originally book, in the musical, and the movie, making this version seem a little lacking as many people who have seen the musical or movie will likely agree.
All in all though, it was a wonderful book to read, especially for young adults who may have seen the movie or musical and want to read the book, but do not feel as though they are up to being able to read the full version of Les Miserables.
Some of the best parts about this book is that because it is written in the form of a letter, we see more of Jean Valjean's emotions, what he was feeling at certain times of the story. One of my favorite sections was when Jean Valjean at the Thenardier's inn to take Cosette away. In that section of the book it is very clear how kind and loving this older man is to a young girl he has never seen before in his life.
Because of the way the book is written there are a number of scenes that had to be cut out, which I understand, however, I wish there was a way that they could have been left in. Those scenes mostly include the Students fighting at the Barricade. Those scenes are some of the most powerful in the originally book, in the musical, and the movie, making this version seem a little lacking as many people who have seen the musical or movie will likely agree.
All in all though, it was a wonderful book to read, especially for young adults who may have seen the movie or musical and want to read the book, but do not feel as though they are up to being able to read the full version of Les Miserables.
November 12, 2012
Les Miserables is my favorite Broadway production, so I figured I'd be doing myself a disservice NOT to read the book.[return]The book is not very different from the musical; just a great deal longer and denser.[return]I do not however regret devoting so many hours to this book. It was a fascinating look at life in nineteenth century France and it had many fascinating pieces omitted from the musical. My favorite bits excluded from the musical:[return]- Marius's history[return]- Jean and Cosette's time at the convent[return]- Javert's perspectives on everything
October 7, 2025
A tale of happiness, a tale of mourning. An age of revenge, an age of forgiveness. A journey of sin, a road of redemption. A tale from which one does not emerge the same. As Marius grows, develops, and travels the hard road of life, so quickly, so suddenly, so terribly. The reader is taken through the times of the French people and the struggles in a society in the wake of Napoleon B. Yet, without the journey, there is no benefit. Hugo seems to drag you through certain scenes, only to show you the hope that lies in persevering, trusting God, and showing compassion to man.
Javart, yeah. Who likes him? Yet, isn't he the ultimate "man of the state"? The attitude of Jean towards him is one that creates immense respect from the reader; it's something that the reader would most likely struggle with, and so does Jean. You're a mastermind, Hugo.
Jean. What a man. Without God, nothing, but with God, everything. Isn't that all of us?! Find that person who leads you to God, and then follow God, who leads you to glory.
Marius-- lawyer, deep thinker, a little bit rash? Fascinating character, who is not afraid to apologize, or protect those he loves at the cost of others.
Cossette -- almost hidden, like the gem Jean thinks she is, like the gem he hides her. Not really round, but very deep.
There is so much more that could be said, but with a view that looks back, and reviews the book with a teological, and ontological view, its got so so so many layers. Recommend.
Javart, yeah. Who likes him? Yet, isn't he the ultimate "man of the state"? The attitude of Jean towards him is one that creates immense respect from the reader; it's something that the reader would most likely struggle with, and so does Jean. You're a mastermind, Hugo.
Jean. What a man. Without God, nothing, but with God, everything. Isn't that all of us?! Find that person who leads you to God, and then follow God, who leads you to glory.
Marius-- lawyer, deep thinker, a little bit rash? Fascinating character, who is not afraid to apologize, or protect those he loves at the cost of others.
Cossette -- almost hidden, like the gem Jean thinks she is, like the gem he hides her. Not really round, but very deep.
There is so much more that could be said, but with a view that looks back, and reviews the book with a teological, and ontological view, its got so so so many layers. Recommend.
January 10, 2013
I will start out by saying this book was amazing. I tried to read the original "Les Miserables" but it was extremely difficult, considering I'm only thirteen. So I got on the Barnes and Noble website and ordered "Les Miserables (A Stepping Stone Book)" and I am so glad I did. The plot begins by introducing the main character Jean Valjean. He is writing a story to his daughter Cossette. The rest of the book except for the end is what the story he is writing says. The whole book is a giant, descriptive adventure. I felt as if I was living it. Even though it is a simplified version of the original, it leaves out no emotions or details. It also has some historical events in it. Trust me, you won't be bored.
January 12, 2024
jean valjean ate
October 9, 2012
Typically, I am not a fan of abridged books but this retelling of Hugo's epic novel does retain much of the beauty and depth of the original, which I did read but, honestly, did not enjoy nearly as much as Reimann's work.
The adaptation for "Today's Reader", which I sadly, must admit, I am one, does not feel dumbed down. The themes of grace and redemption are highlighted and developed minus the plethora of words and details.
This is my second reading of Reimann's book, and I will likely read it over and over during my lifetime.
The adaptation for "Today's Reader", which I sadly, must admit, I am one, does not feel dumbed down. The themes of grace and redemption are highlighted and developed minus the plethora of words and details.
This is my second reading of Reimann's book, and I will likely read it over and over during my lifetime.
Read
April 18, 2018It is a story about life of man who is generous, intelligent and good care of the others. The man was breadwinner in his sister's household and steals a loaf of bread to feed them. Unfortunately he was put in jail nineteen years for that. From that time he became a les miserable man and started story
August 12, 2025
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Is there any book more famous than Les Miserables?
Maybe dan Brown’s Inferno…
And then many people know the name from the many adaptations based on the book.
When I look some book up on the net, there is a tendency to find first the movie and only then the book.
The other day it happened with Breakfast at Tiffany’s and I will not
Was it last year that another production was nominated for many Academy Awards and even won a few?
The story of Jean Valjean, Cosette, Marius and Javert is so powerful that we tend to remember these names and their story forever.
In fact, I have read this book when I was a teenager; it impressed me in spite of the fact that I thought the start too slow.
Another encounter with Valjean was in…London, oddly enough.
At the time, some twenty years ago, I was working in the travel business and British Airways had invited someone from our agency to explore their new Club Class.
Or was it some other name? Anyway, their generous free trip included the British Airways flight to London and back- obviously and a stay in a good hotel downtown.
On top of that, we have been treated to a night’s performance of Les Miserables.
The adaptation enjoyed a tremendous success maybe it is still does.
I for one was not keen on the show for I did not go to London, Paris or Madrid on a regular basis, like the jet-set type who sees a concert in Geneva today and a play in Berlin after tomorrow.
I would have rather roamed the streets more, than sit in a chair and listen to Valjean sing about his theft.
This is when I had a rather cynical outlook of the play:
- After all, Jean Valjean was a thief!
Yes, the circumstances were awful and he had to steal in order to keep his family alive, but so do many of the people in jail.
There are a number of fat cats in prison around the world, but my estimate is that more than 99% of those who do time have a reason, beyond greed.
They lack education, means to survive, the IQ to understand what they’re doing, the genes and the social environment than lead them to a life of crime.
That being said, the epic tale of Jean Valjean is compelling and meaningful.
After he slipped and went to jail, he met his destiny in the bishop who saved his life and his soul.
Afterwards, Jean Valjean becomes nothing but the epitome of the positive hero: saves people, even physically taking one from a wagon that was crushing him.
He even saves the life of Javert, albeit the situation gets complicated and I will not say how, just in case there is a soul reading this, who has not been through Jean Valjean.
I was lucky with the adaptation that I listened to these days.
It was produced, directed by Orson Wells, who also played the role of Jean Valjean and read some of the explanations.
And I am glad that I finish the year with the note on an excellent book, looking forward to ore of the kind in 2015.
PS- I have discovered on goodreads that I have already written a note for Les Mis, on December 28th 2012. This is a second note and should be all right since it is for a new reading/listening, of a different adaptation
Is there any book more famous than Les Miserables?
Maybe dan Brown’s Inferno…
And then many people know the name from the many adaptations based on the book.
When I look some book up on the net, there is a tendency to find first the movie and only then the book.
The other day it happened with Breakfast at Tiffany’s and I will not
Was it last year that another production was nominated for many Academy Awards and even won a few?
The story of Jean Valjean, Cosette, Marius and Javert is so powerful that we tend to remember these names and their story forever.
In fact, I have read this book when I was a teenager; it impressed me in spite of the fact that I thought the start too slow.
Another encounter with Valjean was in…London, oddly enough.
At the time, some twenty years ago, I was working in the travel business and British Airways had invited someone from our agency to explore their new Club Class.
Or was it some other name? Anyway, their generous free trip included the British Airways flight to London and back- obviously and a stay in a good hotel downtown.
On top of that, we have been treated to a night’s performance of Les Miserables.
The adaptation enjoyed a tremendous success maybe it is still does.
I for one was not keen on the show for I did not go to London, Paris or Madrid on a regular basis, like the jet-set type who sees a concert in Geneva today and a play in Berlin after tomorrow.
I would have rather roamed the streets more, than sit in a chair and listen to Valjean sing about his theft.
This is when I had a rather cynical outlook of the play:
- After all, Jean Valjean was a thief!
Yes, the circumstances were awful and he had to steal in order to keep his family alive, but so do many of the people in jail.
There are a number of fat cats in prison around the world, but my estimate is that more than 99% of those who do time have a reason, beyond greed.
They lack education, means to survive, the IQ to understand what they’re doing, the genes and the social environment than lead them to a life of crime.
That being said, the epic tale of Jean Valjean is compelling and meaningful.
After he slipped and went to jail, he met his destiny in the bishop who saved his life and his soul.
Afterwards, Jean Valjean becomes nothing but the epitome of the positive hero: saves people, even physically taking one from a wagon that was crushing him.
He even saves the life of Javert, albeit the situation gets complicated and I will not say how, just in case there is a soul reading this, who has not been through Jean Valjean.
I was lucky with the adaptation that I listened to these days.
It was produced, directed by Orson Wells, who also played the role of Jean Valjean and read some of the explanations.
And I am glad that I finish the year with the note on an excellent book, looking forward to ore of the kind in 2015.
PS- I have discovered on goodreads that I have already written a note for Les Mis, on December 28th 2012. This is a second note and should be all right since it is for a new reading/listening, of a different adaptation
September 10, 2023
Esta de D: que ?! Jajaja es que es mucho drama. El autor woooow plasma perfectamente la situación que se vivía en Francia en aquellos tiempos . Marca mucho lo que es el honor, culpa y justicia . Pero muchas partes son muy innecesarias… ósea si Jean Valjean hubiera ido al psicólogo no hubiera sido tan miserable. Y no lo digo por cabeza hueca .. si no que supongo que así eran antes las personas … o tal vez justo eso es lo que hace a nuestro personaje principal tan caballero de armadura brillante . Los personajes son buenos .. hasta te encariñas con el malo.
Por otra parte es increíble como encontré otros libros, películas e historias que salen de aquí !
Por otra parte es increíble como encontré otros libros, películas e historias que salen de aquí !
December 31, 2023
I struggled to finish this one. The storyline seemed disjointed, whether that was Hugo's style or the abridgement, I'm not sure.
February 10, 2025
I think I’d prefer reading the unabridged version…
December 19, 2023
I love this story. It’s a masterpiece. That said, now that I’ve read the full version twice, I will probably read the abridged version if I return to it again. It can be hard to dredge through the history lessons on Waterloo, slang and sewer systems when you’re so invested in the beautiful characters Hugo has created. I’d absolutely recommend this to anyone, but wouldn’t fault anyone who wants to take a slightly easier path with a quality abridgement 😊
August 1, 2016
(สปอยล์นะคะ)
ไม่เคยอ่านวรรณกรรมเรื่องนี้ค่ะ อยากรู้เรื่องคร่าวๆ พอดีไปเจอฉบับการ์ตูน เลยคว้าทันที
ลายเส้นหนักแน่นแบบการ์ตูนผู้ชายน่ะ ตัวละครแสดงอารมณ์ได้ดี เนื้อเรื่องก็โอเค มันกดดันๆ หน่อยช่วงแรก เพราะคนดีถูกหาว่าผิดเกินจริง ถูกตามล่า แค่ขโมยขนมปังชิ้นเดียวเนี่ย��ะ ชาแวร์มันว่างนักรึไงอะ ตามล่า วาลฌอง เค้าอยู่ได้ แล้วก็อีกทีแค่เข้าใจผิดเรื่องเงินของเด็กแค่เหรียญเดียวเนี่ยนะ ต้องจำคุกตลอดชีวิต เอ่อ ผู้รักษากฎหมายพวกนั้นนี่งี่เง่าและอยุติธรรมขนาดไหน การขโมยขนมปังหนึ่งชิ้นกับจำคุก 19 ปีนั้นมันไม่สมดุลย์กันอย่างแรง การขโมยซ้ำอีกนิดหน่อย ต้องจำคุกตลอดชีวิต
แต่คนอย่างชาแวร์ที่ไม่มีศีลธรรมในใจกลับแสดงอำนาจได้โดยไม่เห็นมีใครค้าน ชาแวร์มีคติว่า คนบาปก็คือคนบาปไปจนวันตาย เลยปล่อยให้โสเภณีถูกซ้อม แล้วไม่จับคนซ้อม กลับจับโสเภณีเข้าคุก ทั้งที่เป็นคนดูแลกฎหมายเนี่ยนะ ชาแวร์นี่ควรจะโดนขังมากกว่าใคร
แนวเรื่องก็เลย แบบที่ไม่ค่อยปลื้มค่ะ คนเลวมีอำนาจ คนดีถูกให้ร้าย ถูกกระทำอย่างอยุติธรรม
คนดีมีเมตตาอย่าง ฌอง วาลฌอง โชคร้ายและถูกเข้าใจผิดซ้ำ แต่ก็ยังดีตอนที่บาทหลวงมิริเอลช่วยเหลือเขา ให้ความเชื่อมั่นและเอื้ออาทรจนกระทั่ง วาลฌอง ตั้งมั่นจะเป็นคนซื่อสัตย์ได้ นั่นเป็นจุดที่โดนใจ หลังจากนั้นเขาก็สร้างตัวเองจนมีฐานะดีมาก เป็นที่นับหน้าถือตาของสังคมเพราะความดีของเขา และก็ยอมลำบากเพื่อรักษาความดีเอาไว้
เรานึกถึงเรื่องพระองคุลีมาล ที่พระราชาใช้ทหารนับสิบนับร้อย ไม่สามารถจับโจรได้ แต่พระพุทธเจ้าใช้ธรรมะและเมตตา สามารถจับได้ง่ายดาย ไม่ใช่แค่จับได้แต่เปลี่ยนองคุลีมาล จากโจรร้ายเป็นพระอรหันต์ได้
มีสิ่งเดียวเท่านั้นที่จะแก้ไขความร้ายได้ ไม่ใช่การใช้กำลัง แต่คือความดีและจิตเมตตา
บาทหลวงได้ทำสิ่งคล้ายๆ กันนี้กับ วาลฌอง อ่านแล้วปลื้มใจ
เรื่องดีที่สุดตอนท้ายนั่นแหละ (ถ้าไม่อยากถูกสปอยล์ตอนจบกรุณาอย่าอ่านต่อค่ะ)
ฉากจบทำให้เรารู้สึกว่า ชาแวร์ไม่ได้ร้ายจากกมลสันดาน เขาแค่เถรตรงยึดมั่นต่อความเชื่อ เรื่องความดีเลวของเขา อย่างผิดๆ ว่าคนเลวต้องเลวตลอดไป ขึ้นชื่อว่าโสเภณีต้องเลว อะไรแบบนี้ แล้วก็บ้าทำตามกฎแบบหลับหูหลับตา คงคิดว่าตัวเองทำดีแล้วถูกแล้ว ในที่สุดจึงได้รู้ว่า
กฎหมาย ไม่มีค่าอะไรเลย ถ้าปราศจากความรักต่อเพื่อนมนุษย์
ภาพการ์ตูนสั้นๆ แต่เราอ่านแล้วเข้าใจนะ ว่าเขาสำนึกขึ้นมาว่าเขาทำผิดมากขนาดไหน ที่ยึดกฎไว้(และคงจะได้ทำร้ายคนจำนวนมากมายมาตลอดชีวิต) จึงชดใช้ด้วยชีวิตตนเอง เพื่อแลกอิสระให้วาลฌอง ก็จบแบบซึ้งใจเลย ชอบละ
ไม่เคยอ่านวรรณกรรมเรื่องนี้ค่ะ อยากรู้เรื่องคร่าวๆ พอดีไปเจอฉบับการ์ตูน เลยคว้าทันที
ลายเส้นหนักแน่นแบบการ์ตูนผู้ชายน่ะ ตัวละครแสดงอารมณ์ได้ดี เนื้อเรื่องก็โอเค มันกดดันๆ หน่อยช่วงแรก เพราะคนดีถูกหาว่าผิดเกินจริง ถูกตามล่า แค่ขโมยขนมปังชิ้นเดียวเนี่ย��ะ ชาแวร์มันว่างนักรึไงอะ ตามล่า วาลฌอง เค้าอยู่ได้ แล้วก็อีกทีแค่เข้าใจผิดเรื่องเงินของเด็กแค่เหรียญเดียวเนี่ยนะ ต้องจำคุกตลอดชีวิต เอ่อ ผู้รักษากฎหมายพวกนั้นนี่งี่เง่าและอยุติธรรมขนาดไหน การขโมยขนมปังหนึ่งชิ้นกับจำคุก 19 ปีนั้นมันไม่สมดุลย์กันอย่างแรง การขโมยซ้ำอีกนิดหน่อย ต้องจำคุกตลอดชีวิต
แต่คนอย่างชาแวร์ที่ไม่มีศีลธรรมในใจกลับแสดงอำนาจได้โดยไม่เห็นมีใครค้าน ชาแวร์มีคติว่า คนบาปก็คือคนบาปไปจนวันตาย เลยปล่อยให้โสเภณีถูกซ้อม แล้วไม่จับคนซ้อม กลับจับโสเภณีเข้าคุก ทั้งที่เป็นคนดูแลกฎหมายเนี่ยนะ ชาแวร์นี่ควรจะโดนขังมากกว่าใคร
แนวเรื่องก็เลย แบบที่ไม่ค่อยปลื้มค่ะ คนเลวมีอำนาจ คนดีถูกให้ร้าย ถูกกระทำอย่างอยุติธรรม
คนดีมีเมตตาอย่าง ฌอง วาลฌอง โชคร้ายและถูกเข้าใจผิดซ้ำ แต่ก็ยังดีตอนที่บาทหลวงมิริเอลช่วยเหลือเขา ให้ความเชื่อมั่นและเอื้ออาทรจนกระทั่ง วาลฌอง ตั้งมั่นจะเป็นคนซื่อสัตย์ได้ นั่นเป็นจุดที่โดนใจ หลังจากนั้นเขาก็สร้างตัวเองจนมีฐานะดีมาก เป็นที่นับหน้าถือตาของสังคมเพราะความดีของเขา และก็ยอมลำบากเพื่อรักษาความดีเอาไว้
เรานึกถึงเรื่องพระองคุลีมาล ที่พระราชาใช้ทหารนับสิบนับร้อย ไม่สามารถจับโจรได้ แต่พระพุทธเจ้าใช้ธรรมะและเมตตา สามารถจับได้ง่ายดาย ไม่ใช่แค่จับได้แต่เปลี่ยนองคุลีมาล จากโจรร้ายเป็นพระอรหันต์ได้
มีสิ่งเดียวเท่านั้นที่จะแก้ไขความร้ายได้ ไม่ใช่การใช้กำลัง แต่คือความดีและจิตเมตตา
บาทหลวงได้ทำสิ่งคล้ายๆ กันนี้กับ วาลฌอง อ่านแล้วปลื้มใจ
เรื่องดีที่สุดตอนท้ายนั่นแหละ (ถ้าไม่อยากถูกสปอยล์ตอนจบกรุณาอย่าอ่านต่อค่ะ)
ฉากจบทำให้เรารู้สึกว่า ชาแวร์ไม่ได้ร้ายจากกมลสันดาน เขาแค่เถรตรงยึดมั่นต่อความเชื่อ เรื่องความดีเลวของเขา อย่างผิดๆ ว่าคนเลวต้องเลวตลอดไป ขึ้นชื่อว่าโสเภณีต้องเลว อะไรแบบนี้ แล้วก็บ้าทำตามกฎแบบหลับหูหลับตา คงคิดว่าตัวเองทำดีแล้วถูกแล้ว ในที่สุดจึงได้รู้ว่า
กฎหมาย ไม่มีค่าอะไรเลย ถ้าปราศจากความรักต่อเพื่อนมนุษย์
ภาพการ์ตูนสั้นๆ แต่เราอ่านแล้วเข้าใจนะ ว่าเขาสำนึกขึ้นมาว่าเขาทำผิดมากขนาดไหน ที่ยึดกฎไว้(และคงจะได้ทำร้ายคนจำนวนมากมายมาตลอดชีวิต) จึงชดใช้ด้วยชีวิตตนเอง เพื่อแลกอิสระให้วาลฌอง ก็จบแบบซึ้งใจเลย ชอบละ
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2024
This book was so well written and the characters had so much depth. I LOVE LOVED it so much. I DOOO HOWEVER FEEL THE NEED TO CREATE a space for people who were a little weirded out by Marius and Cosette. We need to talk about it here saw her at 14 says she’s not very pretty and looks like a little girl. Then he sees her again and he’s like she so womanly marry me please. Then he LITERALLY STALKS HER. Like how is that romantic that he stops eating and is obsessed with her. but we’re supposed to be like it was different times maybe but I’m not convinced . I just kept trying to ignore it but it was a little strange. Then they finally meet and they just make out and then introduce I feel like victor hugo just ate in so many levels that he was too full by the time he got to Cosette and Marius which is honestly fine.
January 1, 2018
My 6yo loves the movie. We tried giving him one of our copies of the novel which isunabridged, well my husband did. He had told our son if he read the book we'd take him to see the broadway production. I found this kids version on amazon and put out a feeler for it on the classical education forum I belong to. I purchased it and my little guy read it in 4 days while we were on vacation. I read it too and thought it was a great child version of the story. I recommend it to anyone with a child who is interested in the story.
March 1, 2013
After watching the film that came out in 2012 I decided to give this book a try and unfortunately due to the time is was written and style it was written I was unable to finish. It is a very hard book to read but if you want to delve in deeper to the film and can cope with a very hardworking book I would recommend this book. It is not the fault of the writer but of the difference of our times.
June 30, 2022
Un excelente libro que te transporta a la Francia post Revolución. De lectura muy ligera te cuestiona acerca de los valores y ética tanto de la época en la que está situada como hasta ahora. Cuestiona de forma muy precisa la sociedad que aún al día de hoy siguen vigentes sus cuestionamientos.
July 21, 2014
Recently reread this. Yes, there are potentially frustrating diversions into history and social commentary, but who are we kidding, this is one of the greatest books EVER!
March 5, 2024
So beautiful, so moving. This story almost has a fairy-tale quality to it, especially in its deep and rich theological symbolism.
This particular edition was given to me in my youth, and I first read it as a teen. I loved it so much that it was a nonnegotiable "keep" in all the after-years of moves and clean-outs. I finally picked it up to read again all these years later and was blown away by its beauty and redemption. In short, it made me weep.
It is so perfect and complete that I have never once felt inclined to tackle an unabridged version (which is most unusual in my habits). Take that as one of the very highest forms of recommendation I can provide. Search out this edition adapted by Jim Reimann, and you'll have a glorious, luminous tale to curl up with and to hand to your teens when you're done.
*Note: I have never (yet) seen a Broadway performance or movie adaptation of this story, so I have no inkling of similarities or differences between those and this book. Based on some themes in the book, though, I surmise that there could easily be sexual content in performance versions which I would not be surprised if Broadway and Hollywood took advantage of.
For those who care, just know that issues of that sort in the book (i.e. Fantine and the prostitution she resorted to out of desperation) were treated very tastefully and demurely, with compassion and pity. There was nothing graphic, no scenes, no descriptions. I had no concerns with it, and have not hesitated to let my teens read it. I cannot speak to other editions, however, and do not know how similar (or dissimilar) this version is to other editions, or what others may detail that this one does not.
*Last note on content: abuse of a child in several instances, woman sells her teeth and hair and becomes a "lady of the night," a girl tries to act seductively towards a man she likes, some violence, someone is burned with a hot poker, a bloody battle scene with wounded and dead, a child is killed, someone is shot fatally and final moments are described, someone commits suicide by drowning, several people die and their last moments described.
This particular edition was given to me in my youth, and I first read it as a teen. I loved it so much that it was a nonnegotiable "keep" in all the after-years of moves and clean-outs. I finally picked it up to read again all these years later and was blown away by its beauty and redemption. In short, it made me weep.
It is so perfect and complete that I have never once felt inclined to tackle an unabridged version (which is most unusual in my habits). Take that as one of the very highest forms of recommendation I can provide. Search out this edition adapted by Jim Reimann, and you'll have a glorious, luminous tale to curl up with and to hand to your teens when you're done.
*Note: I have never (yet) seen a Broadway performance or movie adaptation of this story, so I have no inkling of similarities or differences between those and this book. Based on some themes in the book, though, I surmise that there could easily be sexual content in performance versions which I would not be surprised if Broadway and Hollywood took advantage of.
For those who care, just know that issues of that sort in the book (i.e. Fantine and the prostitution she resorted to out of desperation) were treated very tastefully and demurely, with compassion and pity. There was nothing graphic, no scenes, no descriptions. I had no concerns with it, and have not hesitated to let my teens read it. I cannot speak to other editions, however, and do not know how similar (or dissimilar) this version is to other editions, or what others may detail that this one does not.
*Last note on content: abuse of a child in several instances, woman sells her teeth and hair and becomes a "lady of the night," a girl tries to act seductively towards a man she likes, some violence, someone is burned with a hot poker, a bloody battle scene with wounded and dead, a child is killed, someone is shot fatally and final moments are described, someone commits suicide by drowning, several people die and their last moments described.
April 2, 2025
Un libro tan maravilloso con tantas cosas buenas que decir y varias que criticar.
Cosas que amé:
-Los diálogos internos de los personajes. Discursos sobre su filosofía, creencias, espiritu que son un espejo a la humanidad.
-Mucho dolor, mucho drama pero de gran calidad. Como puede sufrir tanto la gente?
-Discursos políticos muy vigentes. Los ideales de los chicos del ABC siguen siendo base de las luchas actuales.
-Falta de justicia divina. Aunque de coraje, los personajes no tienen un final romantizado y falso donde los buenos resiven todo lo bueno y los malos son castigados, es mas un revoltijo de justicias e injusticias. So much like real life.
- Contextos históricos. Durante la historia va intercalando partes donde nos da contexto de su momento historico, muuuy interesantes y con mucho que aprender. (La batalla de Waterloo, slangs, caracteristicas de conventos, historia de las cloacas de Paris)
Not so cool:
- El papel de la mujer. Se que tiene mucho que ver con el momento histórico en que fue escrito pero la perspextiva de victor hugo sobre la mujer, sus motivaciones y sus deseos son francamente ridículos y ofensivos. Aún sus personajes "fuertes" de mujeres son seres débiles, a la merced de los hombres, sin profundidad ni personalidad real.
- Also Contextos históricos. A pesar de que estan muy interesantes cortan el ritmo de la historia de los personajes.
- CUARTA PARTE: IDILIO DE LA CALLE PLUMET Y LA EPOPEYA DE LA CALLE DE SAN DIONISO?????? Esta cuarta parte se debería titular EPONINE. Volviendo un poco al punto de los not cool, falta reconocimiento a este gran gran personaje femenino.
Cosas que amé:
-Los diálogos internos de los personajes. Discursos sobre su filosofía, creencias, espiritu que son un espejo a la humanidad.
-Mucho dolor, mucho drama pero de gran calidad. Como puede sufrir tanto la gente?
-Discursos políticos muy vigentes. Los ideales de los chicos del ABC siguen siendo base de las luchas actuales.
-Falta de justicia divina. Aunque de coraje, los personajes no tienen un final romantizado y falso donde los buenos resiven todo lo bueno y los malos son castigados, es mas un revoltijo de justicias e injusticias. So much like real life.
- Contextos históricos. Durante la historia va intercalando partes donde nos da contexto de su momento historico, muuuy interesantes y con mucho que aprender. (La batalla de Waterloo, slangs, caracteristicas de conventos, historia de las cloacas de Paris)
Not so cool:
- El papel de la mujer. Se que tiene mucho que ver con el momento histórico en que fue escrito pero la perspextiva de victor hugo sobre la mujer, sus motivaciones y sus deseos son francamente ridículos y ofensivos. Aún sus personajes "fuertes" de mujeres son seres débiles, a la merced de los hombres, sin profundidad ni personalidad real.
- Also Contextos históricos. A pesar de que estan muy interesantes cortan el ritmo de la historia de los personajes.
- CUARTA PARTE: IDILIO DE LA CALLE PLUMET Y LA EPOPEYA DE LA CALLE DE SAN DIONISO?????? Esta cuarta parte se debería titular EPONINE. Volviendo un poco al punto de los not cool, falta reconocimiento a este gran gran personaje femenino.
March 26, 2025
Por fin he terminado este libro. Llevaba con el desde 2016, nunca venia el momento de enfrentarme a él. Es un libro difícil de leer, muy difícil, al menos a mi me lo ha parecido. Dejando a un lado las extensas contextualizaciones de Víctor Hugo, es un libro sublime que te llega al alma. Las historias de sus personajes, como se van entrelazando unos con otros. Hice bien en empezarlo aunque me haya dado muchos quebraderos de cabeza.
April 28, 2024
I read an abridged version (829 pages instead of 1400+, because I didn't realize it was abridged when I bought it) and really liked it. It's always been one of my favorite stories so glad I finally read it. The translation and editing is done well; there are a couple places where it's a little abrupt but overall you really don't notice the cuts. Hugo's prose certainly holds up and is quite moving. I would be open to trying the full version some day!
February 13, 2025
This book was phenomenal. So lovely. So many tangents, but Victor Hugo is a true artist. I loved learning how all the characters' paths intertwined. It took me 10 months listening to it and it was so worth it.
March 8, 2025
This was a quick and beautiful read! One of the grades at my school was reading this so I wanted to read it with the students! I loved how beautiful this story was, even in this shorter version! A great way to introduce young kids to this classic story
May 13, 2025
No one has ever seen God, but if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression. 1 John 4:12
December 29, 2022
A great summarized version of the book for kids. My girls and I read this together before seeing the musical, and it made their experience so much more enjoyable to be able to understand the plot.
November 25, 2019
This was a literature book from Faith’s curriculum. In order to help her read more fluently, I had her read aloud this book to me. She was crying by the end.
May 29, 2024
Despite the many rabbit trails in this book, I have come to the conclusion that the messages of forgiveness and love are worth the read. It's worth it to trudge through the endless pages to have this feeling of beauty in my soul.
July 12, 2023
Qué grandísima joya 🥹
July 25, 2023
Pocos autores me han hecho llorar. Sólo Víctor Hugo y Dumas.❤️
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