J. Varner

A Study in Tedium

Revisado: 03-03-25

Tolstoy may have kept readers of his era enthralled but I had to summons every ounce of self discipline to finish this snooze fest. The audio book was nicely done by the narrator in my opinion, but no amount of talent in that arena could compensate for a poor story filled with ridiculous characters.

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Well researched but uninteresting

Revisado: 10-05-22

I had to stop after nine hours. The book appears well-researched but the story becomes tedious with needless repetition. Most of the nine hours I heard focused almost entirely on Guy Burgess’ life as a gay man chronicling his history of sexual relationships and the dissolution that increasingly characterized his pitiable life. While these were important aspects of the story, I don’t think readers need seven or more hours of this as prelude to that which was crucial….his life as a Soviet spy. Listening to this story helps explain the disdain some American intelligence officials held for their counterparts in Great Britain. It also gives additional credibility to fiction written under the name John Le Carre. How Guy Burgess was allowed to remain in positions of importance and rub elbows with the elite for as long as he did testifies to the foolishness of the Brits at that time and their devotion to a malignant class system that left them vulnerable to Stalin.

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Good but not among his best

Revisado: 05-31-21

Regrettably slow and tedious at times but ends well. A bit predictable and bland but ultimately enjoyable.

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I've Eaten My Vegetables

Revisado: 12-16-13

Would you try another book from Victor Hugo and/or Frederick Davidson?

I am unlikely to purchase another Victor Hugo book, and will try to keep an open mind about Frederick Davidson who may be an innocent casualty of my listening experience.

What was most disappointing about Victor Hugo’s story?

My ignorance may be a factor in this review which reluctantly disparages "Les Miserables." It does appear to be a book written for a distinctly different era in which writers were paid by the word. While Hugo is quite gifted as a writer and thoughtful as an observer, he bored me nearly to death with his pontifications, his tendency to meander away from the meat of the story into lengthy and tedious detail and his predictable and saccharine ending. I particularly disliked the portions that were done in song and in French by Mr. Davidson. Two or three minutes of listening to someone with a poor to average singing voice sing words I could not understand did not add to my listening enjoyment. I finished the audiobook today after pushing myself to listen a little bit every day hoping that I might conclude the book with something good to say. In the end, I concluded I had done the right thing to complete what I had started, but it brought as much joy as one gets when finishing a plate of vegetables you hate but know are good for you. I acknowledge again that my ignorance of Hugo and literature from 1862 may render my critique useless to other listeners, but for average people such as me this book should not be purchased for entertainment or illumination; it should be undertaken as one does any other chore you sense may contribute to character building. At least now I can say I have completed this famous book.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

There was very little I liked, unfortunately. I disliked most of the book, but especially the parts where Mr. Davidson was asked to sing for several minutes in French.

Do you think Les Miserables needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Let's let Les Miserables and Victor Hugo remain an important part of history.

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A challenge to enjoy

Revisado: 02-12-12

Would you try another book from Charles Dickens and/or David Timson?

Contrary to the excellent reviews provided by other listeners, I have struggled to enjoy this audiobook and persevere toward its completion more from a sense of duty than pleasure. Ordinarily, I embrace Dickens for his interesting characters and engaging plots, but in

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