Victor Hugo, son oeuvre poétique by Ernest Dupuy

(3 User reviews)   2612
By Charlotte Girard Posted on Dec 26, 2025
In Category - Adventure
Dupuy, Ernest, 1849-1918 Dupuy, Ernest, 1849-1918
French
Ever wonder what the man behind 'Les Misérables' and 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame' was like when he wasn't writing those famous novels? I just finished this fascinating book from 1902 that tries to solve that puzzle. It’s not about Hugo’s blockbuster stories, but about his poetry—the part of his work that most of us don't know. The author, Ernest Dupuy, is on a mission to convince us that Hugo’s poems are just as important as his novels. It’s like a literary detective story, trying to figure out why we remember Hugo for one thing when he was so passionate about another. A really cool peek behind the curtain of literary fame.
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first to create an interest in this important subject. Since then Dr. Seiss, of Philadelphia, has endeavoured to popularize her work on the other side of the Atlantic; and brief references have been made to the subject in such books as _Moses and Geology_, by Dr. Kinns, and in _Primeval Man_; but it was felt, for many reasons, that it was desirable to make another effort to set forth, in a more complete form, the _witness of the stars to prophetic truth_, so necessary in these last days. To the late Miss Rolleston, however, belongs the honour of collecting a mass of information bearing on this subject; but, published as it was, chiefly in the form of _notes_, unarranged and unindexed, it was suited only for, but was most valuable to, the student. She it was who performed the drudgery of collecting the facts presented by Albumazer, the Arab astronomer to the Caliphs of Grenada, 850 A.D.; and the Tables drawn up by Ulugh Beigh, the Tartar prince and astronomer, about 1450 A.D., who gives the Arabian Astronomy as it had come down from the earliest times. Modern astronomers have preserved, and still have in common use, the ancient names of over a hundred of the principal stars which have been handed down; but now these names are used merely as a convenience, and without any reference to their significance. This work is an attempt to popularize this ancient information, and to use it in the interests of truth. For the ancient astronomical facts and the names, with their signification, I am, from the very nature of the case, indebted, of course, to all who have preserved, collected, and handed them down; but for their interpretation I am alone responsible. It is for the readers to judge how far my conclusions are borne out by the evidence; and how far the foundation of our hopes of coming glory are strengthened by the prophecies which have been written in the stars of heaven, as well as in the Scriptures of truth. For the illustrations I am greatly indebted to Jamieson’s _Celestial Atlas_, 1820; Flammarion’s _L’Étoiles_; Sir John W. Lubbock’s _Stars in Six Maps_, 1883; and to the late Mr. Edward J. Cooper’s _Egyptian Scenery_, 1820. For the general presentation and arrangement of the Constellations I am responsible, while for the drawings my thanks are due to my friend Miss Amy Manson. It is the possession of “that blessed hope” of Christ’s speedy return from Heaven which will give true interest in the great subject of this book. No one can dispute the antiquity of the Signs of the Zodiac, or of the Constellations. No one can question the accuracy of the ancient star‐names which have come down to us, for they are still preserved in every good celestial atlas. And we hope that no one will be able to resist the cumulative evidence that, apart from God’s grace in Christ there is no hope for sinners now: and apart from God’s glory, as it will be manifested in the return of Christ from Heaven, there is no hope for the Church, no hope for Israel, no hope for the world, no hope for a groaning creation. In spite of all the vaunted promises of a religious World, and of a worldly Church, to remove the effects of the curse by a Social Gospel of Sanitation, we are more and more shut up to the prophecy of Gen. iii. 15, which we wait and long to see fulfilled in Christ as our only hope. This is beautifully expressed by the late Dr....

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If you're like me, you know Victor Hugo as the giant of French literature who gave us Jean Valjean and Quasimodo. But Ernest Dupuy's 1902 book asks us to look at a different Hugo—the poet. This isn't a biography of his life, but a deep dive into the mountains of verse he wrote throughout his career, which he often considered his most important work.

The Story

The book doesn't have a plot in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s Dupuy making his case. He walks us through Hugo's poetic collections, from his early, more formal work to the wild, visionary poems he wrote in exile. Dupuy acts as a guide, explaining the themes, the styles, and the sheer ambition of Hugo's poetry. He’s trying to connect the dots between the passionate, sometimes angry poet and the famous novelist we all think we know. The central question is: can we see the real Hugo in his poems, and have we been overlooking his true masterpiece all along?

Why You Should Read It

I loved this because it changed my perspective. Reading it feels like getting a secret key to Hugo's mind. The novels show his heart for social justice, but the poetry, as Dupuy presents it, shows his raw soul—his doubts, his mystical visions, and his personal storms. It makes Hugo feel less like a monument and more like a complicated, brilliant person. Dupuy’s passion is contagious; even when the subject gets dense, you feel his excitement about rehabilitating this side of Hugo's legacy.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for curious Hugo fans who want to go deeper, or for anyone interested in how an artist's reputation gets made. It’s not a light beach read—it asks for your attention—but it’s incredibly rewarding. You'll finish it feeling like you’ve been let in on one of literature's best-kept secrets: that Victor Hugo, the novelist, was only half the story.



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David Taylor
1 year ago

Perfect.

Emma Thompson
10 months ago

I didn't expect much, but the clarity of the writing makes this accessible. Definitely a 5-star read.

Kenneth Anderson
3 months ago

If you enjoy this genre, the atmosphere created is totally immersive. One of the best books I've read this year.

5
5 out of 5 (3 User reviews )

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