Thanks for your answer. Now I want to read Hugo's epic. And can you tell, what do you think of War and Peace as an epic? I mean, is it interesting to read. I'm just willing to know, what people think of Russian classics and of War and Peace as a
symbol of it
Recently finished Les Miserables. I think it's better than War and Peace
Spoiler alert!
Why?
1. The exciting action sequences that often come at the end of each book. My favourite is the escape to the convent with Javert and his
men closing in but there are many others e.g the confrontation in the Gorbeau house when Valjean sticks the hot iron (meant for his torture) into his forearm.
2. The time taken to describe the life of the bishop of Digne - skipped over by the dramatic versions but so important to what Hugo is saying.
3. The religious themes combined with scepticism of the Catholic church e.g. Valjean carrying Marius on his back and the description of life in the convent
4. The darkness of the relationship between Valjean and Marius: so important to Hugo's message about prejudice against convicted criminals
5. Fewer characters than W&P yet each one is an essential building block to the story.
6. Gavroche and what Hugo is saying through him e.g. the moment when Gavroche asks
"This word, Hercle, struck Gavroche. He sought all occasions for learning, and that tearer down of posters possessed his esteem. He inquired of him:—
“What does Hercle mean?"
7. Javert is not a monster but a believable character who has taken a wrong path
8. Hugo even evokes pity for the Thenardier parents though he paints them much darker than the musical! They also are Les Miserables.
9. Eponine's teenage love for Marius and its consequence - tissues required
10. The digressions
There is one moment in the film of the musical that scores for me: when Javert puts his medal of honour on the dead Gavroche. That's not in the book as we next see Javert chasing Thenardier who escapes into the sewers which plays an important part in Hugo's story.