It is not one of the
masterpieces of “art”, but I regard it as the work of a powerful genius and
certainly one of the great novels. It is certainly not philosophically or
psychologically deep, but it is exceedingly vivid and powerful.Sri Aurobindo
Letters on Poetry and Art
SABCL - Volume 27
Part 2. On His Own and Others’ Poetry
Section 2. On Poets and Poetry
Philosophers, Intellectuals, Novelists and Musicians
Victor Hugo [1]
When I said to Pavitra that Les Misérables was one of the great works of art he replied “Faugh! What a shallow thing.” But I believe I heard from Amrita that you used to regard it as one of the world’s great novels.
It is not one of the
masterpieces of “art”, but I regard it as the work of a powerful genius and
certainly one of the great novels. It is certainly not philosophically or
psychologically deep, but it is exceedingly vivid and powerful.
25 April 1937