Victor Hugo's books are the best!

[Dori]

So while my previous post strongly suggested a very partial opinion, it is an opinion that is supported by most, and thus, should be respected. Now that I read what I posted I can see why it might have been misconstrued as offensive and I'm sorry. It was only my opinion shared by a majority.

I suppose I am oblidged to apologize, because it was indeed an exaggeration on my part that produced such a comment. I just finished Les Miserables today and I was thoroughly impressed. Never have I read a book like it. Thus the exaggeration. Good news: I just bought Crime and Punishment, Poor Folk, Notes from Underground, and a few more of Dostoevsky's smaller works (I already own the Brothers Karamazov) so perhaps I will be more inclined to agree with the majority once I have read them. Or perhaps not.

I hope this solves things

[quasimodo1]

To Debrasue: I stand with altered point of view but not totally corrected. If the Broadway creations inspire some to read Hugo, that is a positive thing. My view however is that the light and airy treatment of horrendous historical events is a diservice to the revolutionaries and authors like Hugo who sought to portray them in all their gritty reality. Would you have a musical about the Armenian genocide and then find ways to promote it as an awareness device? The degenerate aristocracy trying to save their corrupt and self-serving life-style by bleeding out the proletariiat will never be either humorous or musical except perhaps for a dirge by Chopin. quasimodo1

[Debrasue]

quasimodo1...It was never my intention to correct you...you are entitled to your opinions & I do understand your point of view...it has been my own personal experience that even in the most horrendous and evil circumstances people will find and cling to the smallest thread of humour, love,compassion... and find some way to rejoice in the things that give hope...
I have studied French history quite intensively..I also have French ancestry...
As for the musical being light & airy...I found it inspiring and thought provoking...stirring the emotions, the pride and admiration that comes from the sacrifices of those who came before... and their legacy of freedom & liberty of which we partake....

[quasimodo1]

To Debrasuea; Perhaps my familiarity with history prevents me from finding a lighter side. I see from your persuasion that you will not let the morbid overtake a view at once accurate and inspiring. On this point, I relent. Let the point rest there. Sincerely, quasimodo1

[Adolescent09]

quasimodo1... I rarely compliment people on their intellect but I cannot abstain from saying that it takes no rocket scientist to fathom that you are one learned human being who is capable of backing up points viably. Your wealth of historical and cultural arts knowledge augments your statements and I see the nail of the point you're hammering to imply. That's all I have to say.

[AngelofPhantoms]

[QUOTE=Debrasue;408501]I agree..Hugo's works are wonderful and inspiring reading....

I loved Andrew Lloyd Webber's Les Mis on stage...it was never meant to be a literal re-telling...but rather an adaptation to showcase his(Webber's) beautiful music...which I think represents the emotions of Hugo's story very well! They should never be compared ...Victor Hugo's work was an inspiration for ALW...why would anyone deny art & beauty? There is no competition going on there...QUOTE]

ALW is wondeful, but he didn't compose Les Miserables, it was composed by Boublil and Schonberg and presented by Cameron Mackintosh. That's okay though. It's a great musical and sums up Hugo's views well. It featured Eponine more than in the novel, and Cosette was a smaller character, only appearing in a couple scenes.

[Debrasue]

AngelofPhantoms! You are so correct! I saw Les Mis only once.. many, many, years ago (and an amature production at that!) I was so moved by the story and performance that I had to re- read Hugo's story, ...and in the process gained a greater appreciation for his other works as well! Thank you for the correction....My apologies to Boublil, Schonberg and Mackintosh...

[amanda_isabel]

hmm. i;ve seen a movie of les mis, but that version (with uma thurman and i forgot his name.. the guy who plays Qui-Gon in Star Wars episode 1) didn;t feature Eponine at all (so i was kinda disappointed, considering i fell in love with the song, On My Own).

i'm still in the middle (actually not in the middle.. i just finished Fantine.) of Les Mis and i must say, with the little that i've read, that Victor Hugo is a genius.. however, i do find his historical references a bit lengthy and when it comes to chapters i find it a bit boring. maybe i should have studied a bit more on French History before getting into the book.

[jinjang]

Here I am Johny come lately.

I agree with Adolescent09 on that The Brother's Karamazov was the best one among all the Dostoevsky's books. I do not think I even finished The Idiot, although I meant to go back to it one day. The Brother's Karamazov was his last book and it dealt with people's religious or inner struggles in depths. It also was a great story. I read Crime and Punishment when I was religious and it touched me deeply. But I am not sure now. Victor Hugo is one of my favorite authors and he dramatized his characters sometimes a little too much, but I believe he is one of the greatest.
Didn't you get a little irritated, though, when he sidetracked to cover the history of Paris sewage system, instead of continuing the story of Les Miserables? It was alright when I read it the second time, but the first time I read the book, I got impatient to know the story.