**SPOILERS ALERT** **SPOILERS ALERT** **SPOILERS ALERT**
Arrgh, the most boring volume yet! Is anyone feeling the same? Thing is I feel nothing for this volume -well, almost nothing. There was a lot of stuff I didn’t particularly care for and I supposed, at this stage, I do NOT care for Marius *gasp!*
At first, I was really excited seeing that we get to learn about Marius’ background (note that I didn’t particularly know very much about Marius ‘cept on his later connection with Cosette). An angry bitter child / young man due to his perception of his father’s rejection of him – a sad childhood in the home of an old man (his grandfather) and a spinster (his aunt who did not care for him). His father’s death did not touch him until such time that he met, by coincidence, a man who told him of his father’s love for him.
When Marius discovered the reason of the rift in his family, he went out to explore the political differences and chose side on his own. At first, I was a bit sceptical about this as it just sounded like something drastic you’d do after a traumatic event. However, as Marius struck out on his own (even though it was kind of enforced on him) and despite poverty and lack of food, he had the strength to return his grandfather’s money to stand by his principles – this I totally admire and then, understood that it really meant something to him.
But then, the next moment, I got truly frustrated with him – in his encounters with Cosette and Valjean. It seems Valjean has yet donned another personae, M. LeBlanc, which totally suited his appearance. It was just so frustrating witnessing Marius’ ineptness and utter stupidity in these encounters. I really had to laugh at this part though…
For days and days after this piece of good fortune [Marius picked up a white handkerchief of which he thought belonging to Cosette], he always appeared at the Luxembourg kissing this handkerchief and placing it on his heart. The beautiful child did not understand this at all, and told him so through imperceptible signs.
Seriously, I would’ve thought Marius to be some sort of pervert! Which they probably did and therefore, changed their habit and moved house with no forwarding address. What a fool!
The last part of this volume was the Best part as it was just so suspenful; it was utterly exciting to read! But then, I was once again frustrated with Marius -a fainting spell, seriously, “Be a Man and Do the Right Thing!” With the relief that Marius felt in not having to choose whom to save whilst things appear to resolve best they can by themselves, I am left disappointed that Marius didn’t have a chance to prove his manhood here.
Am I being a little too critical of Marius? Whilst intellectual, he is seriously weak in many other ways and this is just too frustrating for me.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this volume… do link up your post and it doesn’t work for you, leave a link on the comments 🙂
Tien's Blurb 