Flashback Friday is my own little weekly tradition, in which I pick a book from my reading past to highlight — and you’re invited to join in!

Here are the Flashback Friday book selection guidelines:

1. Has to be something you’ve read yourself
   
2. Has to still be available, preferably still in print
3. Must have been originally published 5 or more years ago

Other than that, the sky’s the limit! Join me, please, and let us all know: what are the books you’ve read that you always rave about? What books from your past do you wish EVERYONE would read? Pick something from five years ago, or go all the way back to the Canterbury Tales if you want. It’s Flashback Friday time!

My pick for this week’s Flashback Friday:

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

(first published 1862)

From Goodreads:

Introducing one of the most famous characters in literature, Jean Valjean – the noble peasant imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread – Les Misérables (1862) ranks among the greatest novels of all time. In it Victor Hugo takes readers deep into the Parisian underworld, immerses them in a battle between good and evil, and carries them onto the barricades during the uprising of 1832 with a breathtaking realism that is unsurpassed in modern prose.

Within his dramatic story are themes that capture the intellect and the emotions: crime and punishment, the relentless persecution of Valjean by Inspector Javert, the desperation of the prostitute Fantine, the amorality of the rogue Thénardier and the universal desire to escape the prisons of our own minds. Les Misérables gave Victor Hugo a canvas upon which he portrayed his criticism of the French political and judicial systems, but the portrait which resulted is larger than life, epic in scope – an extravagant spectacle that dazzles the senses even as it touches the heart.

I’m just imagining how many people in the new few years will say, “Les Misérables? Great movie!”  — but how many would actually consider picking up the book?

Yes, it’s massive. (The Signet edition, listed above, has 1,463 pages). And guess what? I’ve actually read it. (Patting self on the back right now…)

Way back when in the dark ages (otherwise known as the late 1980s), during a brief visit to London, I had the opportunity to see the then-new musical Les Mis, from several balconies up and with no knowledge of the plot details ahead of time. I enjoyed the show tremendously, but boy, was I confused. Because I had time on my hands, I decided to read the book. Not the abridged version, thank you very much, but the whole huge doorstop of a book, all 1000+ pages.

And it was worth it. Granted, I probably learned a lot more than I ever wanted to know about the Parisian sewer systems and daily life in a convent, but I also gained the richness of Hugo’s detailed descriptions, so that I finished the book more or less understanding not just the events of the plot, but the feeling of the time and place.

There’s a reason (many reasons, to be more accurate) that Les Misérables is a classic. It’s a compelling portrait of a man’s life, as well as a study of human nature, the good and the bad, courage and weakness, and what it means to take a stand and do right. Beautifully written with unforgettable characters, Les Misérables shouldn’t be missed.

Note from your friendly Bookshelf Fantasies host: To join the Flashback Friday fun, write a blog post about a book you love (please mention Bookshelf Fantasies as the Flashback Friday host!) and share your link below. Don’t have a blog post to share? Then share your favorite oldie-but-goodie in the comments section. Jump in!