Customer Reviews

Hans of Iceland

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Victor Hugo's first novel revolves around the son of the viceroy of Norway (Ordener Guldenlew), his friendship with a political prisoner (John Schumacker), and his secret love affair with the prisoner's daughter (Ethel). When a plot surfaces to bring about the death of Schumacker, the former chancellor, Ordener risks his life to save his friend and his love. Everyone seems to cross paths with the infamous brigand, Han of Iceland, who does not seek to help either side, but takes pleasure in killing everyone he meets. As a result, this book is rather gruesome, but very suspenseful. The romance between Ordener and Ethel was intriguing as well, especially considering the sacrifices they made for each other. While this work does not measure up to Les Mis or Notre Dame, an average Hugo novel is still better than almost anything else out there.

I know that critics throw rotten cabbage at this book, but I find it charming and refreshing, with all of its imperfections and brutalities. This is the essential Hugo - NOT "Les Mis". Let's face it, Hugo is a romantic, and all of his attempts at realism and psychological accuracy have led to nothing but boredom. He tries the high moral ground in "Les Mis". The book came out tedious and preachy. "Hans of Iceland" offers the same kind of absurdity and brutality as "Notre-Dame de Paris" and "The Man Who Laughs".