Victor Hugo's "The Man Who Laughs" - Book review and discussion

[@AliciaNyblade]

How nice to find someone to talk to about this book! It's my favorite Victor Hugo novel and I feel like hardly anyone knows about it. I agree that Hugo's digressions can be a bit much. I'm actually working on a stage play adaption of the book and combing through them during the writing process has been a challenge. But it's fun, too. To answer some of your questions: Ursus named himself Ursus and his wolf Homo as a pun on the famous philosophical saying, "Homo homini lupus," or, "Man is a wolf to man." There's A LOT of politics in the book, but the basics of what the audience needs to know is Lord Clancharlie, Gwynplaine's father, was a Roundhead, a supporter of England being a republic (look up the English civil war, 1649-1660, for context), and he held onto these beliefs even after the monarchy was restored. Rather than give up his views, he exiled himself to Switzerland and asked for his girlfriend and their young son, David, to join him, but Lord Clancharlie's girlfriend decided to leave him to become a mistress to the king instead. So Lord Clancharlie left England alone and in Switzerland, he met and married Gwynplaine's mother, but she died giving birth to Gwynplaine and Lord Clancharlie died two years later. By now, it's 1690 and news of Lord Clancharlie's death reaches England, as well as the news that he married and had a legitimate child, but they're all only rumors. King James II, however, has these rumors looked into and finds out they're true. He orders for little Gwynplaine to be given over to the Comprachicos to be disfigured. He then promises Gwynplaine's older half-brother, Lord David, the Clancharlie estates if David agrees to marry one of King James' illegitimate daughters when she comes of age. Lord David agrees and thus, he becomes engaged to Duchess Josiana. That's the political background of the story. As for the scene between Josiana and Gwynplaine, yeah, it's really weird and messed up, but it's supposed to be. I personally describe Josiana as "Imagine if Princess Jasmine from 'Aladdin' was so desperate for a whole new world she didn't care if she had to hurt people or treat them like playthings to experience it." Josiana has grown up in luxury, idolized by everyone for her beauty and for seeming like an untouchable creature, and she's always known what her fate would be: To be a duchess, and a wife and mother. She's been engaged to a man 20+ years older than her since she was an infant in her cradle. She doesn't necessarily hate that planned fate, but she's bored with it. At one point, she tells Gwynplaine, "I must marry Lord David, and that's a pity. I'd much rather be in love with him." In short, Josiana is attracted to Gwynplaine because, to her, his face visibly reflects who she feels she is inside, a monster who wants to be the black sheep of her family and take them down with her. Okay, I think that's everything! If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask. I could talk about "The Man Who Laughs" all day.

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

Hello Alicia! I will be pinning your comment, because this will be extremely helpful for readers who are preparing to read this novel. I want to thank you for taking the time to comment. I'm happy you stumbled upon my video. Indeed, it's a shame no one is talking about this novel. I often feel lonely in my passion for Hugo's works. You have clearly studied this novel well, and I will be using your information when I re-read L'homme qui rit. Amazing. Thank you so much.

[@thistlenstar]

Thank you! Your post makes me want to read this book.

[@AliciaNyblade]

@@thistlenstar I'm so glad to hear that! If you do, please let me know what you think of it when you're done. It's a fantastic book, terribly underrated, and its fanbase needs to grow.

[@thistlenstar]

@@AliciaNyblade That's how I feel about Flaubert's "Salammbô." I started this mad journey several years ago when I decided to learn French well past the normal age of language acquisition. I have a hearing deficit, so, reading comes more easily than conversation. When I finally got to the level where i could read the classics in French it opened up a whole new world. My wife thinks we have a copy of "L'Homme Qui Rit" somewhere in our piles of books, but, I found a copy on line, just in case. I have a ways to go in "Les Misérables," but, I'll put it next on the agenda.

[@AlphabetInvestments]

What a cute, fluffy cat sleeping peacefully in the background and learning about Victor Hugo's writing style.

[@davidmccalip5759]

Hello Emily! I hope all is well and peaceful for you during the Holidays! Very interesting video today. I have only read The Hunchback; I have not read either this book or Les Miserables for the very reason that he does digress. Furthermore, my TBR is way out of control, pushing close to 200 books and to the point that I wonder if I will ever get to them all in my lifetime. So, for these two reasons I may never get to another of his books. However, I do enjoy your videos on his writings and life and can see how much you enjoy him! Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next video! Have a great week!

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

I do enjoy his work so much - I intent to have read all of his books by the end of next year. I know how it feels. We will never be able to read all the books we want to read, which is why we have to be selective. (I do hope you'll get to read Les Misérables one day, for it is such an inspirational and beautiful novel.) Fingers crossed, haha. Glad you enjoyed listening to my ramblings once again. 🤎

[@davidmccalip5759]

I totally understand your intention. I enjoy Dumas so much that I am trying & hoping to read all his books at some point. I have a made a large dent in reading all his writings; I need to sit down and make a list of all the books he wrote, contrast with what is available to the public and compare with those I have read or already own. I would like to do the same thing for Jules Verne. I am also very close to reading all the books of Anne Radcliffe (who I would highly recommend to you b/c I know you enjoy classic gothic books) and J. Sheridan LeFanu (I also highly recommend him to you). Finally, I just have to read Villette and then I will have read all of the Bronte sisters. 🙂 Have an excellent rest of the week! @@ProseAndPetticoats

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

@@davidmccalip5759 Oh, I have made a list of Dumas his books with the same intent as you! I had already written down your recommendations, thank you for that. Hope you will enjoy the Brontë sisters.

[@Quietus6]

Oh, just saw this review, and all the comments are excellent. The beauty of Hugo just isn’t his characters and plot, but his style of juxtapositions that lends itself to great translation…a reason why his wordy expositions are tolerable. His command of language is phenomenal. In one novel, I forget which, a character compares the lowly and newly invented printing press to the cathedral of Notre Dame. He points to the press, then to the cathedral, and says, “This will kill that.” Four words that begin an end an age.

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

It is the archdeacon Claude Frollo who points and says this. It's from Notre-Dame de Paris :) Quote: The archdeacon gazed at the gigantic edifice for some time in silence, then extending his right hand, with a sigh, towards the printed book which lay open on the table, and his left towards Notre-Dame, and turning a sad glance from the book to the church, "Alas," he said, "this will kill that."

[@Rascal-of-War]

Digressions can add depth to a book. But theres a fine line between a writing depth and just being self indulgent and unnecessarily contrived or confusing. I wager many a reader has given up on the book you’ve read. So far I like Tolstoy because his writing particularly with his decriptions and internal monologues of the characters are fairly straightforward and simple. Yet by doing do he still adds so much more nuance to the story with layers and comparisons that leave the reader thinking over what they've read.

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

Yes, they can add depth for sure. I love Tolstoy. Do you have a favourite?

[@Rascal-of-War]

@@ProseAndPetticoats Just started with War and Peace. About a quarter of the way through

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

@@Rascal-of-War Loved reading it! 🥰 Enjoy!

[@claymantion]

i was iffy about finishing the book but i will now

[@grendelhvs]

According to wikipedia (I've only watched the 1928 silent film) the wolf named Homo is a play on a Latin proverb "homo homini lupis" - man is a wolf to man.

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

So true :)

[@cdane7]

I am just getting into Hugo and I find his writing to be unbelievably great. So much so that I am wanting to purchase all his books but I’m having trouble finding what seem like trustworthy copies of his books other than Les Mis, Hunchback, and Toilers. I think I’ve found the copy you have in this video on Amazon for several of the lesser known novels and I’m wondering if they are quality books? I think they’re called “mint edition”. I am wondering if you think they are quality copies? Are they well put together? Are they easily readable? And are the translations good compared to say a copy of Les Mis? Thanks

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

I'm so happy that you love his writing! He's incredible. Oh yes, his other works are indeed hard to find. It's such a shame. I can recommend the Mint Edition for The Man Who Laughs - both the translation and the font are decent. It is clear that you won't find better translations than those done for Les Mis & Notre-Dame - those are his popular works. I'm currently reading Han d'Islande on the Gutenberg Project (I couldn't find an English version). I am reading the French alongside the English one, and I must say that it's not too bad, either! (Translation by David Edwards). I hope this helps! :)

[@cdane7]

Thanks!

[@theartistrytwins6050]

I stumbled upon this book after discovering the movie from 1928: "The man who laughs". It really has a dark feel to it, the acting is amazing with good music and I was captivated by the story. If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it!! I think it gives a much clearer line of the story. ( It is a silent, and of course, there are some differences comparing to the book. But it stays most of the time true to Hugo's story.) Back to the book: When I heard it was from Hugo, I searched the book with a lot of excitement. I liked Notre Dame and Les Miserables. But this one unfortunately, with the enormous and repetitive history lectures, the side notes, and long, long, long anekdotes about certain thoughts, really annoyed me. It stopped me constantly from getting into the story. SUCH A SHAME!! I skipped and read a lot of it globally. They really should try to make a modern version of this book. Because through all the "noise of words" it is such a wonderful story.

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

I 100% agree with you. It's an amazing story, but I disliked how much 'filler pages' there were. I'm glad you appreciated the story!

[@theartistrytwins6050]

@@ProseAndPetticoats yes!!! The story really rocks!!

[@troygaspard6732]

The classic silent film of this novel is also worthy of attention.

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

I would love to take a look at it! Do you know the year/title?

[@jaycarr5906]

Same title as the book, came out in 1928 and its public domain.@@ProseAndPetticoats

[@Heartonmysleeve-gj1kp]

Maybe Hugo had composers blood in his veins(I belong more to their world than the world of writers)which would explain his digressions and excursions. I have of course seen adaptations of his famous works but have never read them. I would like to read Balzac although I do want to get to some of Gogol's stories too. I wish you and your community of readers season's greetings.❤

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

I adore Balzac! Still need to read Gogol, but he's on my list. So kind of you! Wishing you the best as well, and thank you for stopping by. 🥰

[@Yesica1993]

Your observations/comments make sense. It would be like someone from his time trying to understand a current book that was talking about social media personalities and there's no explanation of who they are, why they were considered important, etc. Are the digressions separate chapters or sections? Or are they all mixed in with the main story?

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

Exactly! Lots of the digressions are complete chapters & sections ;) thanks for watching 🤎

[@Yesica1993]

Thanks for making me aware of it. I forget he wrote more than Les Mis & Hunchback!@@ProseAndPetticoats

[@EdwardTheMedievalist]

That edition you have looks like a textbook.

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

It's horrible 😅 It was the only edition I could find in English!

[@patriciadeane7250]

Wonderful video and I thank you!

[@ProseAndPetticoats]

You're welcome! 🤎

[@scoutdarpy4465]

Digressions never bother me. When I read fiction, I read more for the ideas discussed than the story or characters. That's why I love philosophy so much. The thing with modern fiction is that it plays entirely on the basis of "art", the so called subtleties of human expression, and it loses its track toward more evident truths. Subtlety in this sense is a sickness on the earth.