Les Miserables

Les Miserables by French author Victor Hugo was first published in 1862, and is considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. Set against the backdrop of the legacy of the French revolution, and a small Parisian insurrection and resistance that took place in June, 1832 (which Victor Hugo witnessed), the book follows the life of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who is hunted by the police inspector Javert. Valjean struggles to escape his past and build a new life for himself, but is constantly haunted by his criminal history. The story also focuses on other characters, including Fantine, a struggling single mother who turns to prostitution to support her daughter, Cosette, who is taken in by Valjean and raised as his own, and Marius Pontmercy, a young revolutionary who falls in love with Cosette. Throughout the novel, Hugo explores themes of social justice, poverty, redemption, and the power of love and compassion. Incredibly, over a quarter of the novel doesn't further the plot at all, and is instead devoted to chapters that argue a moral point. In fact, 19 chapters are set aside for an account of the Battle of Waterloo, and its place in history. Despite this, it has been popular since it was published and has been translated into many other languages.