Les Mis

"The pupil dilates in the night and at last finds day in it, even as the soul dilates in misfortune, and at last finds God in it." - Victor Hugo in Les Miserables

I have never read a more soul-stirring piece of literature than Les Miserables. Nearing the end of the book, I remember reading each line a little slower than the last; I couldn't bear for it to end. I stayed awake late into the night and cried as the story of beauty and redemption concluded. These were not characters on a page. They had become friends, and as I neared the end, I knew they would soon be lost from my life forever, with only my memories to keep them near.

It was strange. I had never been so affected by a book, but this was no ordinary piece of fiction - Hugo's masterpiece was poetry.

My thoughts turned to Les Mis after I was recently reminded (by a friend's comment on this blog) of Jean Valvean, the story's protagonist, and it was not long before the book was off my shelf. As I paged through some of my favorite excerpts, I decided to share a few lines for your edification and enjoyment:

"He looks at humanity so much that he sees the soul, he looks at creation so much that he sees God."

"Those who pray always are necessary to those who never pray."

"To dare; progress is at this price. All sublime conquests are, more or less, the rewards of daring....Deeds of daring dazzle history, and form one of the guiding lights of men. The dawn dares when it rises."

"The soul which loves and which suffers is in the sublime state."

"Of all the things which God has made, the human heart is that which sheds most light, and, alas! most night."

"The heavy masses, the multitudes, fragile on account of their very weight, dread uncertainties; and there is uncertainty in the ideal."