Already considered the finest writer in France at the time, Victor Hugo forever solidified his rank as France’s premiere novelist with the publication of 'Les Misérables’ in 1862. A sweeping epic that spans decades, 'Les Misérables’ is considered one of the finest novels ever written and it’s characters have become household names thanks to the enormous success of the musical adaptation of the book, which still plays to packed houses around the world.
A passionate advocate on behalf of the poor and destitute, Hugo sets his novel among the lowest of the low, the dregs of society, the dispossessed¿the miserable. The novel introduces us to Jean Valjean, the physically powerful but wretched bread thief who manages to escape his bonds and flee, pursued by the tireless policeman Javert, a single-minded lawman who has sworn to bring Valjean to justice. Along the way, we meet the tragic young mother Fantine, who has turned to a life of prostitution to support her daughter Cosette only to fall into disgrace, disease and death. When Fantine dies and Cosette is entrusted to the now-rich and secretive Valjean, the plot turns on how Cosette will be able to live her life; either on the run with her adopted father or in the arms of her true love, the revolutionary student Marius.
Sweeping in its scope and power, 'Le Misérables’ is one of the world’s most cherished and honored novels and we present it here in it’s original and unabridged format, translated by Isabel F. Hapgood.
O autorze
Victor Hugo was a French Romantic author, poet, playwright, illustrator and politician. Hugo’s sixty year career established him as a national treasure and his works have been adapted numerous times to the stage and screen. Born into a military family, Hugo had a tumultuous early life, moving from place to place with his mother and brothers. He began writing and publishing poetry when he was still in school. Upon graduation, he began a literary magazine with his brothers, married his childhood sweetheart Adèle Foucher and began publishing both novels and poetry collections at a furious rate. His early success encouraged Hugo to branch out into writing for the theatre and soon he became one of the country’s most venerated playwrights as well. Already a much-admired poet and novelist, Hugo surpassed himself in 1831 with the publication of’The Hunchback of Notre Dame.’ The immense popularity of the novel even forced the French authorities to restore the much-neglected cathedral. Growing more and more involved with social justice issues as he grew older, Hugo published the groundbreaking novel 'Les Misérables’ in 1862, which highlighted the plight of the poor and destitute. An unprecedented success, 'Les Misérables’ had an enormous impact on French society and the book remains Hugo’s crowning achievement. Hugo joined the Académie Française, then the Parliament and finally the National Assembly, but he was forced into exile for opposing Napoleon III. After Napoleon fell from power in 1870, Hugo returned to France and eventually became a member of the Senate, never flagging in his fight for social justice. Victor Hugo died of pneumonia in 1885 and his funeral became the event of the year, with over two million mourners joining the funeral procession. Today, Hugo is revered as a towering figure in French letters. His works have inspired countless authors and have resulted in dozens of adaptations, including motion pictures, plays, musicals and even animated features. As a titan of both the publishing and political worlds, Hugo’s literary and social legacy cannot be overstated.
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