Worth the read?

Still trying to get through Les Miserables.  I have read at least two other books since I started this.   Way more french history then I ever wanted to know.  Not a bad story but I wonder if its worth it.   This is a lot of work.  I have to read the book with my phone at hand so I can look up everything.  Any fans?  I have a lot of other books piling up with I trod slowly through this one.