Many of the characters are well-known: Valjean, the criminal trying to escape his reputation; Javert, the police agent trailing him; the unfortunate Fantine and her daughter, Cosette; the rascally Thenardier; and above all the splendid street urchin, Gavroche. Among the unforgettable descriptions are those of the Paris sewers, the battle of Waterloo and the fighting at the barricades during the July Revolution. There are few more complete, or more vivid, pictures of France at the beginning of the nineteenth century. LES MISERABLES is at once a thrilling narrative and a social document embracing a wider field than any other novel of its time. This edition is an abridgment of Norman Denny's translation.
Les Miserables (Classics)
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
|
There is a newer edition of this item:
|
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
About the Author
Victor Hugo (1802-85) was the most forceful, prolific and versatile French nineteenth-century novelist. He wrote Romantic costume dramas, many volumes of lyrical and satirical verse, political and other journalism, criticism and several novels.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
58 of 58 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I decided to read 'Les Miserables' more out of a challenge to myself than anything else. I honestly thought it was going to be one of those 'boiled cabbage' books that taste pretty dull but are very good for you. I could not be more wrong. From the first chapter, I was surprised by Hugo's sense of humour and sharpness. His take on the clergy and their not-so-humble lifestyle set the tone of the book and acted as a promise that it wasn't going to be a 'tour de force' of morals and religion.
And then it just got better, and better, and better. The plot had more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie's novel, the characters far more rounded than the two-dimensional figurines one encounters in Dickens' writing. These characters are memorable. Jean Valejan, Cosette, Marius, the evil Javert: I dare you readers to find a book in which the characters become so alive, so vivid, so intense and so human. By the end of the book (almost 1000 pages of!)you just don't want to let them go. I frantically read and read for days until, almost at the end, I slowed down and tried to make it last a little bit longer, and yes, when the last page was turned, I felt totally and utterly BEREFT. Les Miserables is a story that will stay with me forever. If classics ever put you off, do yourself a favour, and read this wonderful novel.
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
'Citizens, our nineteenth century is great, but the twentieth century will be happy'
19 Aug 2008
By Trevor Coote
Format:Paperback
Not the greatest prediction in history perhaps, but Victor Hugo's monumental Romantic epic still remains one of the best known and most popular works of the nineteenth century. A vast panorama of Parisian life during the first half of that century, Les Miserables seems to contain the author's entire world view and knowledge base, everything but the kitchen sink. Yes, when viewed through twenty-first century eyes it suffers from all the peculiarities associated with novels of that era: twists and turns born out of wildly improbable coincidences, a tendency to sentimentality and melodrama, familiar caricatures (misers, prostitutes, street urchins), odd attachments to unrelated children, and loose ends neatly tied up. But, like War and Peace it is a great sweep of life, like Moby Dick it is juxtaposed with digressions and immensely detailed descriptions (Waterloo, the Paris sewers), like Dickens's works the characters live and breathe even though they are flat and behave stereotypically. In sum, it is a magnificent slice of social history, teeming with life and detail, sometimes funny, often moving, always compassionate.
The story is basically simple. It revolves around peasant Jean Valjean who is sentenced to five years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family and then to 19 years in the galleys for an escape attempt. He becomes a recidivist criminal on release until he sees the error of his ways after being befriended by a saintly priest. Then, making a stupid mistake on the spur of the moment, he is discovered and compelled to return to prison. However, escaping again, he spends the rest of his life seeking redemption, firstly by becoming a wealthy and respectable citizen and then by rescuing a young girl from abuse.... Read more ›
The story is basically simple. It revolves around peasant Jean Valjean who is sentenced to five years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family and then to 19 years in the galleys for an escape attempt. He becomes a recidivist criminal on release until he sees the error of his ways after being befriended by a saintly priest. Then, making a stupid mistake on the spur of the moment, he is discovered and compelled to return to prison. However, escaping again, he spends the rest of his life seeking redemption, firstly by becoming a wealthy and respectable citizen and then by rescuing a young girl from abuse.... Read more ›
45 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By L. Freeman
Format:Paperback
Phew! Well, that is a book that you feel proud of for having completed. It is the size of a breeze block and it's printed on tissue paper in size 4 font- very daunting to approach!
The story is very intricate and has many small `insignificant' details which, you realise when trying to write a synopsis, all have great impact upon it. It is set in 19th Century France, and follows ex-convict Jean Valjean and his struggle through life, being constantly pursued. He raises a `daughter' and we also follow her story, of young love. If you have seen the musical, you will recognize the story from the adaptation easily, but be amazed at the extra intricacies!
Although this is, as I have said, a very daunting book to approach, there is actually nothing difficult about it. It is written plainly, and easy enough to understand. But there is no doubt it takes concentration. It's a book you have to really READ, if you understand my meaning. There are pages and pages of back history to every character, no matter how small. Even alot of the buildings mentioned have pages, sometimes chapters of back history!
This really is an excellent book with an excellent story. I would recommend it most highly, but with the advice that you would probably have to see it as a long term project! There is a bit of everything, action, adventure, love, suspense, war, sadness, happiness, and hope. Suitable for all, with a little perseverance!
The story is very intricate and has many small `insignificant' details which, you realise when trying to write a synopsis, all have great impact upon it. It is set in 19th Century France, and follows ex-convict Jean Valjean and his struggle through life, being constantly pursued. He raises a `daughter' and we also follow her story, of young love. If you have seen the musical, you will recognize the story from the adaptation easily, but be amazed at the extra intricacies!
Although this is, as I have said, a very daunting book to approach, there is actually nothing difficult about it. It is written plainly, and easy enough to understand. But there is no doubt it takes concentration. It's a book you have to really READ, if you understand my meaning. There are pages and pages of back history to every character, no matter how small. Even alot of the buildings mentioned have pages, sometimes chapters of back history!
This really is an excellent book with an excellent story. I would recommend it most highly, but with the advice that you would probably have to see it as a long term project! There is a bit of everything, action, adventure, love, suspense, war, sadness, happiness, and hope. Suitable for all, with a little perseverance!
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Boz
Format:Paperback
For those intimidated by the length and epic scale of Hugo's magnum opus, you need not be afraid. Whilst reading Les Misérables I was pleasantly surprised by the fluidity and pace of the narrative. It took me no longer than a month to finish the novel, and I became completely engrossed and enamoured by the story. A story covering a wide array of important social issues as well as those issues that lie close to the heart - love, death, hope, redemption and tolerance. All of these are apparent throughout the tale, and told with wonderful style and enormous beauty from that great master of romanticism - Victor Hugo. Some may find his unapologetically florid, overtly poetical language overbearing, I, personally, found it refreshing and a joy to read. Les Misérables is a book you will not find a chore to finish (save for the lengthy Waterloo - only the last part is worth reading - and convent digressions, which some may find interesting, but I found tiresome). You will feel France as you move from Provence at the beginning of the book, to the city of Paris towards the latter half of the book, and will feel a certain connection to the characters as if they were real people - Jean Valjean, Fantine, Cosette, Marius and countless others are truly unforgettable characters, creative inventions few other authors, both past and present, could match. The fact they are 'real' characters and not idealised in any way, but awash with both flaws and qualities, adds to the beauty of Les Misérables - a tale both heartrending and humorous, zealously exciting and quaintly pleasant. You will not be disappointed. I promise, and I urge you read Norman Denny's translation, which retains the style and beauty of the original.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 173 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Emotional and beautiful. Shame about the waffling
Review: Jean Valjean has, said by Becca, "been unfairly imprisoned for stealing a load of bread". John Valjean has, said by me, "had a s*** life. And it gets worse. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Nina (Death Books and Tea)
1.0 out of 5 stars
Terrible service, never received and no refund
Currently sixth months overdue, got in contact several times, and have heard nothing. I have not had a refund
I ordered it as a christmas present. Thanks for nothing.
I ordered it as a christmas present. Thanks for nothing.
Published 9 days ago by Steve
5.0 out of 5 stars
i wish i had read this book sooner!
Have watched the recent movie, i decieded to read the book and was taken aback with the layout of the book. Read more
Published 16 days ago by karen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
Great book in great condition, contains all the complete volumes and I would definitely recommend purchase and enjoyment. Read more
Published 1 month ago by interestedconsumerxx
5.0 out of 5 stars
nice book
It's very nice book. I think this book would help me to learn English. I like Les Miserables. It's nice book.
Published 1 month ago by Angela
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
This was the first 'classic' I had ever read and honestly, I understand why it has been made into such a long-running theatre show and has spawned various film adaptations. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lee Barlow
5.0 out of 5 stars
great novel, classic and old but well worth the effort
fantastic novel,
Takes a little while to grip the reader but once gripped the book is fantastic, it is long and the chapters are spread apart but the reader always gets... Read more
Takes a little while to grip the reader but once gripped the book is fantastic, it is long and the chapters are spread apart but the reader always gets... Read more
Published 1 month ago by ray isaac
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't wait
I love the film and musical versions of this book and I can't wait to read it - a heartwarming story!
Published 1 month ago by Charlotte
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfection!
The book is beautiful and in perfect condition. It's truly a must buy! I'd recommend this to all book lovers.
Published 2 months ago by Toni-Marie Hackett
5.0 out of 5 stars
My new favourite book
Having not seen the stage show or the movie I finally got round to reading the book after after years of putting it off. And what a fool I've been to have put it off so long. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ajayb
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
