Book Review: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Monday, May 31, 2010

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

(Started: May 01, 2010; Finished: May 13, 2010)

Summary/Description:

Sensational, dramatic, packed with rich excitement and filled with the sweep and violence of human passions, LES MISERABLES is not only superb adventure but a powerful social document. The story of how the convict Jean-Valjean struggled to escape his past and reaffirm his humanity, in a world brutalized by poverty and ignorance, became the gospel of the poor and the oppressed. (From Amazon)

Review: 5 stars, My Favorite

Source: Purchased (Php 285.00 National Book Store/$5.99 US/$6.99 CAN)
Available at: Amazon; local bookstores

Honestly, I wasn’t into classics. Before, I find them boring that it can activate my snooze mode button. Good thing this book changed my view about Classic novels. Once again, this book was required and recommended by our fourth year English teacher. Unlike The Good Earth, we were required to pass a paper for each chapter.

At first when I was reading the book, I was like, “whaaaat?!”

But while getting through each chapters of the book, I got hooked. I wasn't able to finish reading the book back then.

That is why last May 01, I decided to grab and finish the book.

I was intrigued on what will happen to Jean Valjean and Cosette. At first I thought Jean Valjean will not survive the chase between him and Javert but eventually he did while protecting Cosette at all cost. I admire Jean Valjean’s character, how he’d turn into a good person who helps those who are in need and will not boast about it. It doesn’t matter to him if others do him bad as long as he is doing good to them. He can be a saint or a hero for his deeds.

Speechless.

No words can describe how good Jean Valjean is.

Basically, this book shows us the reality of life — poverty, injustices, discrimination, the cruelty of the world. But in the end, one will still reach that self-fulfillment one day despite all the hardships and struggles in life.

Sound Snippet:

I Dreamed a Dream

I dreamed a dream in times gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid

Here's the movie trailer for the 2012 film: