Les Misérables (extraits) [French]

by Victor Hugo, Brigitte Réauté, Monique Bouchard-Lespingal

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: French
• ISBN: 2011667437
• ISBN13: 9782011667434
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Hachette
• Length: 351 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.1" x 0.6" x 4.4"

Customer Reviews

Les Misérables - Volumes I, II, III - French Edition

When I decided to read Les Misérables I was pursuing two objectives: to read a classic novel and to practice and improve my knowledge of the French language. Knowing how long the novel was, both goals seemed difficult to attain. I am happy to say that I was able to accomplish both. Les Misérables is a fascinating novel in which the author denounces the French society of the 19th century. It tells the story of Jean Valjean, who after 19 years in prison is released only to realize that there is no place in society for a man like him. Reading the story, your learn about the marginal life ex prisoners have to live in a society that forces them to carry a document (a yellow passport) that they have to show all the time in order to function in society; the horrible situation unmarried women are placed in when society punishes them for having children out of wedlock; the situation of the the elderly; and also of abandoned children ... Hugo also intercalates the main story with long passages of reflections about different subjects such as the history of the "argot", Waterloo, a description of the underground sewer system in Paris, that although they can be challenging for the reader because of their length, they enrich and complete the story. Les Misérables is not an easy book to read. In order to fully comprehend this story, it is necessary to have some knowledge of the historic events that took place during those years. The third volume of the Pocket Classiques edition has a listing, in the back of the book, under Les Clés De L'Oeuvre, of the historic events that happened in France since 1723 until 1852, that are paralleled to the events of the story. This feature and a Larousse Encyclopedic Dictionary were very useful to me to identify the events as well as the historic characters that are named in the book. Even though the vocabulary is not easy, with the aid of a dictionary, I was able to comprehend and enjoy the totality of the text. Due to Hugo's style, long paragraphs in which sentences are connected to each other to no end, to reflect the flow of the writer's thoughts, and the difficulty of the vocabulary, I would not recommend this reading to a French beginner or even an intermediate level. I laughed, I cried , I worried about the characters ... I spent hours reading the story without being able to put the book down. After finishing, Jean Valjean, Cossette, Fantine, Marius, Gavroche, Javert were in my mind and in my heart for a long time. I feel that Les Misérable enriched my life.

Un chef-d'oeuvre; dans la langue d'origine....

Les Misérables en français est un très excellent livre. Le texte est vraiment mieux que les traductions en anglais, tous ceux qui ne montrent pas la vrai beauté et grace de la prose d'auteur. L'histoire est d'un homme qui est presque detruit par son systeme de justice, d'un homme bon qui doit colleter avec son gouvernement parce qu'il croit dans le mieux-être de toute la humanité, même s'il doit donner sa vie. D'ensemble, ce livre est un oeuvre de génie, et oui, peut-être les anglophones devraient le lire en anglais avant qu'ils commencent à le lire en français. Mais, de vraiment comprendre l'esprit d'un cerveau, on doit lire Les Misérables dans la langue d'origine. Je jure qu'on ne sera pas déçu avec le livre original. Il en vaut la peine de lire ce livre en français, mme si seulement d'enrichir la vie et l'esprit. Achetez ce livre et soyez content que vous avez gagné un vrai chef-d'oeuvre pour lire et chérir pour toute la vie.

Hugo's classic story in the original French

Having previously only read the very beginning of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, I wasn't very interest in the story, but then I went to New York and saw the show performed on Braodway, and that was enough to send me back reading. All in all, I think that if it is possible for you to read and understand in French, this book is the way to go, because it is Hugo's original words. You may also find it useful (as I have) to purchase the English translation in order to better understand the story. This also gives you a chance to nitpick the translator. This is definately a masterful story.

what do you mean 4 1/2 stars?

This book is one of the greatest books that has ever been written, if not the best. It is very long, but the intricacies of the characters and the plot are incredible. Hugo is a master at tackling issues of life, war, love, and God with insight and humor. If you are possibly able to sit down and read ths many pages...do it (and the abridged version does not cut it).