Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Les Miserables- Book 3- Marius

Les Miserables Volume Three: MariusI just finished Book Three of Les Miserables, Marius. We are introduced to a new character in this book, a young man named Marius who has been brought up by his grandfather. His own father was forced to give him up and not allowed to contact him ever. Marius believes that his father never cared for him and by the time he learns differently it is too late and his father is deceased. Angry at his grandfather for keeping them away from each other, Marius decides to take off on his own and becomes an attorney.

While off making his own way Marius sees a young girl walking with her father. Just a hint, we've seen this little family before. At the time he just thinks of her as a homely young girl, though in a few months time that all changes. She's now all grown up and beautiful and Marius falls deeply in love with her despite not knowing her name or ever talking to her. In this book we also stumble across another family that we've seen before. A family that is considerably worse off than before, though I felt no pity for them.

I liked this book, but not as much as the last two. The first half is spent in building Marius's story and it takes awhile before you see how he'll fit into the rest of the story. The beginning is also filled with a lot of surplus information that goes on for a bit before coming back to the main story. I'll admit that I do sort of "speed-read" through those sections, gathering what info I need and hurrying through on my way back to the main story. Hugo loves his tangents and veers off the main path on occasion. However, I still think that it's well worth sifting through to get to the main story but I would recommend the abridged version for those who don't want a lesson in French history. The second half of this book reads much faster. We get quite a bit of drama and treachery near the end and the build up is exciting. I managed to read the last half of this book in the last 24 hours, despite having to spend several hours at a never-ending job interview today. Once the action started, I just had to keep going, had to know what was going to happen next.

4 comments:

Roof Beam Reader said...

Ah, Les Miserables! One of my all-time favorite novels. I absolutely agree, though, that Hugo does love to ramble off on political, sociological, and historical tangents; he's got a good reason for it, though, having been forced into exile and all. ;) Hope you enjoy the rest of the novel! I actually just picked up Hugo's Notre-Dame de Paris which is much shorter but hopefully just as good.

Great post! (P.S. - How are you liking Moby Dick? It took me months and months to get through, but it was brilliant.

B said...

I'm glad you are enjoying it! Have you seen the movie yet or are you waiting until you finish?

Rachel said...

I am waiting ever so impatiently to finish before watching the movie. It's sitting in my Netflix watch instantly queue, nagging me to finish anytime I try to watch a movie.

I'm getting through Moby Dick. It's been tough. There are sections that I really enjoy and then sections where I am bored to tears. The jury's still out, 200ish pages to go.

Unknown said...

I read Les Mis a few years ago and loved it! It's a big investment but worth it :-) Like you, I did tend to speed-read through the rambly bits...

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