Les Miserables
Introducing one of the most famous characters in literature, Jean Valjean — the noble peasant imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread — Les Misérables ranks among the greatest novels of all time.
In it, Victor Hugo takes readers deep into the Parisian underworld, plunges them into a battle between good and evil, and carries them to the barricades during the uprising of 1832 with a breathtaking realism that is unsurpassed in modern prose.
Within his dramatic story are themes that capture both the mind and the heart: crime and punishment, the relentless pusuit of Valjean by Inspector Javert, the desperation of the prostitute Fantine, the amorality of the rogue Thénardier, and the themes of mercy and redemption that run throughout this classic.
Les Misérables gave Victor Hugo a canvas upon which he portrayed his criticism of the French political and judicial systems. But the portrait that resulted is larger than life, epic in scope. Valjean’s story forms an extravagant spectacle that dazzles the senses even as it touches the heart. This tale of redemption has an undeniable Christian message, making it well worth the read!
Note: This is an abridged version of Les Miserables. While we prefer not to use abridged versions of classic literature, the length of this particular novel is daunting. Consequently, this often results either in potential readers opting for an abridged form or simply skipping this wonderful novel altogether. With this in mind, this particular abridgement of Les Miserables is the one we recommend and schedule within our guide.
- About the author: Victor-Marie Hugo was a French Romantic writer and politician. During a literary career that spanned more than sixty years, he wrote in a variety of genres and forms. Many consider him one of the greatest French writers of all time.
