Les Misérables, Volume 2

Great work

(4.5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

Giant thank you to the Librivox volunteers for making this title accessable. Three large sections of this volume were devoted to rather laborious exposition that helped to set themes and atmosphere, but which would have felt tedious to read through, I think. If I'm honest with myself, Librivox is the only way I would have tackled them and experienced.the whole of this beautiful book. Thank you once again. There was, I think, just one chapter where I had a major difficulty understanding the reader. I had to read it on Project Gutenberg. Otherwise it's an excellent recording.

don't skip the battle chapters

(5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

Victor Hugo is an excellent author. although the first section is very much an historical account of the battle of Waterloo, Hugo didn't include this simply because he likes the story. He is too good for that. it was inserted intentionally to propel his message. look past the simple historicity and study the themes of the first section and you will see his mastery.

Great writer too much history

(3 stars)

KENNETH

First 18 chapters are about Waterloo. You will not miss any of the main plot by skipping them. he also goes on quite a bit about a convent. But I don't know which chapters to skip. I would give it 5 stars if not for these two points. Thanks to all the volunteers for reading.

The Battle of Waterloo

(4.5 stars)

potuc

This is a great work by a great storyteller. How Hugo weaves the events of Les Misérables into actual historical events I do not know... but do it he does, and he does one heck of a job! I've noticed that many people are saying "skip the first eighteen chapters, they're boring," but I am not of that opinion. In my strangely historically-interested way of thinking, it is actually remarkable to listen about the battle at Waterloo! I know that's an odd way of thinking, so if you don't like those chapters, feel free to skip them, but you'll lose some of the grandeur, some of the historical accuracy that Hugo weaves. Most of the readers were good, but of course it was not perfect. 4.5 stars for this mostly marvelous LibriVoxian production.

skip the first 18 chapters

(3 stars)

jaded_grl

I agree with the other reviews, the first18 chapters are about Waterloo the field, the road, the battle. if u like history read in a monotone then listen to them. otherwise u mis absolutely nothing by skipping the dreary chapters that do not include the characters at hand. its like the author wanted to write a book on Waterloo & just through it in to this book. however, chapter 19 at the end deals w the inn keeper on that battle field, so listen to that. Volume 2 is a hard 1 to read. it goes fast & interesting when it deals w/ our characters & drags on agonizingly slow off subject all the time.

(4 stars)

Katherine

I know a lot of people say to skip the first 18 chapters because it is all about the battle of waterloo I however think half of the book are these essay like parts that give insight to Hugo’s philosophy and purpose for writing. If you are only reading the book for the story you are missing half of the point. The readers did a great job only one was a bit hard to understand because of the accent.

Amazing story

(5 stars)

Brett

Book has quickly moved to the top of my list. Readers do an admirable job. Some are amazing. None are terrible. Especially given the difficulty of the read with French and Latin sprinkled throughout.

Remember: HISTORICAL fiction

(5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

Victor Hugo paints am incredible portrait of Nineteenth Century France. All details are as extensive as they are relevant. Excellently read. Thank you, Librivox Volunteers!