Me and Mr. Hugo - We've Been Fighting

"Jean Valjean, my brother: you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!" -Victor Hugo

I felt a little sheepish calling myself a reader, a reader who is partial to classic literature no less, and yet had never read Les Miserable by the great Victor Hugo. 

So I decided to tackle this book...four years ago I decided to tackle this book. Four years ago I started Les Miserable, and I am proud to say that as of five and a half hours ago I finished that book. All 1260 pages of that behemoth book are finally behind me.

It was lovely writing, and truly one of the most beautiful stories of redemption I've ever encountered. It was just the muchness of the writing that brought me to my knees. Anytime the actual story was being discussed I was pulled right in and couldn't put the book down. But the 120 page editorial on the battle of Waterloo just about did me in, as did the 30 page discussion on nunneries, and the 50 page detailed description of the sewers of Paris, and the 60 page accounting of all of the famous barricades of Paris. I am afraid that Mr. Hugo got shelved on more than one occasion and for months at a time. 

I must have joined Goodreads sometime ago, and obviously don't frequent the website, but every now and then I would get a reminder email that I started Les Miserables four years ago, and would I like to update my progress? I wanted to respond, "No Goodreads, I would not like to discuss my progress on that monstrous piece of literature. Now get off my back!"

Around page 1,000 I just wanted Javert to jump off that bridge and be done with it. And I had had enough of dear Marius' and sweet Cosette's forbidden love. Would they just tie the knot already?!! And would Cosette just grow a backbone and stand up to the men in her life, because I was growing weary of that simpleton. 

I sat down and devoured the last 75 pages today, and ended with all of the expected tender feelings. I wept for dear Jean Valjean, felt joy for the lovestruck couple, even pitied poor Javert. Victor Hugo is truly one of the greats. I'm a bit of a snob and tend to point the finger of scorn toward those literary pansies who search out the abridged versions of the great works. But I am officially stepping off my high-horse and recommending that everyone read Les Miserables. But unless you have the mental stamina to endure the reader's equivalent of an Iron Man race, then might I recommend reading the abridgment? There I said it. You win Mr. Hugo. Uncle I say. I bow to you and your literary genius. I am better for having read your masterpiece but daresay I shall never venture your direction again. Your book will sit upon my shelf as a sort of trophy. Proof of my mental fortitude and sheer determination. But I am now on to Frankenstein. At a mere 207 pages, I hope to finish it in record time. Happy Reading!