THE MAN WHO LAUGHS

Victor Hugo's genius for verbosity is on ample display here; he never used two words when a hundred would do. Simon Vance's narration is fluid and evocative, but even his excellent work may not be enough to get many listeners through sections of this audiobook such as the exposition on English lighthouses. The story of a man whose mutilated face makes him a successful clown has been popular enough to be filmed six times in various languages, but movies leave out narrative padding. Despite Vance's fine performance, most contemporary listeners are not likely to find this story to their taste. Devotees of Victor Hugo's novels, however, will find it thrilling. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2022]