my book review:


  "Les Miserables"
  written by Victor Hugo
  -1260 pages-


"Les Miserables" is a fictional collection of many people's lives. Each person's story is somehow connected to another one, and they all lead up to joining with one another at some point. There is one main character, who in some way, meets all of the other characters in the book. That is Jean Valjean, a convict. He had been in prison for 19 years, and now he has finally been released. Wherever he goes, if only to the next town, or many miles away, even several years later, police inspector Javert is not very far off the trail to capture Jean Valjean at any opportune moment.

Because he feels he must hide his past, Jean Valjean is not too keen on becoming close friends with other people. He created a few identities for himself, and can switch back and forth to a different person's name, whenever he feels threatened. Some people think of him as a very odd man and can see that he has something to hide, but still do not know his reasoning. Others accept his mysterious ways and might even believe his disguises.

This is the first book I have read from Victor Hugo. I was very impressed, and think that he did a superb job in writing this book, back in 1862 when it was published. I can't wait to read more from this author. There are so many descriptions of the scenes going on, that the reader feels the same emotions of pain, anger, or happiness that the character is going through. Jean Valjean is a very mysterious man, and even to the very end, you're not quite sure what he's thinking or trying to accomplish with his perplexing actions.

I would recommend "Les Miserables" for anyone who will put a lot of thought into the story, and who will stay with the book once you begin. Be prepared for deep thinking, and expect a big French history lesson too. It was a very interesting and fascinating book to read. It makes great material for High School literature. The immense size really attracted me to this book of more than 1200 pages!

By reading this book, you will be taken on quite a journey. Once I finished, I felt like it was a lifetime ago since I read anything half so intriguing. I immensely enjoyed it, and one day (in a few years) I will have to read it again.

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