Kiara’s Reviews > Les Misérables > Status Update

Para bellum, indeed

The last 100 pages were very exciting! I'm happy to finally get to know Cosette in the coming chapters :)

These last 100 pages moved very quickly. Hugo or the translator has now used the title to describe certain people. I'm still working out what the message is supposed to be since I don't feel bad for these deplorable people.

I don't have much to say about this part. Just getting to know Marius and his friends. I really like Marius's dad :)

I was getting annoyed at the aside about the convent (which Hugo himself said wasn't relevant to the story) which was followed by a philosophical aside. I really enjoy the parts with the main characters, though :)

I flew through these last 100 pages! I'm really enjoying seeing Cosette and Jean Valjean's dynamic :)

I actually cried when Fantine was talking about the life she would have with Cosette (I don't cry often while reading). However, this stretch with Waterloo has been so boring. It is written in a style that is definitely more telling than showing. There is no emotional connection because people are more so listed than described. This section reminds me of ABBA (🎶 Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to).

I'm really enjoying where to book is going. It was really interesting to get Javert's backstory and see his motives/philosophy. Fantine's story is really sad and I'm excited to spend more time with Cosette.

So far, I've read Books 1 & 2. I'm really enjoying learning about the characters and the story and the slower pace. It seems like so many books these days are fast-paced to the point where you don't get to learn the characters' back stories, daily life, personality, etc. which I appreciate here. Already knowing the plot makes me really appreciate learning new things which the movie didn't cover.