Les Miserables

Works Of Hugo

Victor Hugo

Recommended By

Book Reviews

One of Austen Allred's top five all-time recommended books.

Book Synopsis

In "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo, the lives of multiple characters intertwine against the backdrop of early 19th-century France. The story delves into themes of love, redemption, and the human struggle for justice.

Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, is haunted by his past and seeks redemption. As he transforms his life, he becomes a respected mayor and factory owner, but his past catches up with him when he meets Inspector Javert, who is determined to bring him back to prison.

Fantine, a single mother, falls into poverty and desperation to support her daughter, Cosette. She sacrifices everything for her child, including her own health and well-being. Valjean becomes her last hope for protecting Cosette.

Cosette, forced to work as a servant, escapes her abusive upbringing when Valjean rescues her from the clutches of the Thénardiers, a deceitful couple running a scheming inn. Valjean becomes her surrogate father and devotes himself to providing a better life for her.

As the rebellion of 1832 erupts in Paris, Marius, a young revolutionary, unknowingly falls in love with Cosette. His devotion to the cause is tested when he discovers that Cosette is his priority over the revolution. Their love story and its complex twists and turns become a central focus of the narrative.

Through strongly developed supporting characters, such as Eponine, the Thénardiers, and the Bishop of Digne, Hugo masterfully portrays the struggles of the poor and the injustices of society. He explores themes of inequality, social unrest, and the power of compassion.

"Les Misérables" is an epic tale that spans several decades, providing a comprehensive exploration of the human condition. Hugo's intricate storytelling, vibrant descriptions, and deep insights into human emotions captivate readers and leave a lasting impact on their hearts and minds.

Explore More Books

See All
Revolution
Meaningful Work
Radical Acceptance
The Cold Start Problem
How Not To Be Wrong
When Prophecy Fails
In Defense of a Liberal Education
How The Mind Works
Courage
The World
Science and Method
Successful Investing is a Process
When
Washington
The Pattern Seekers
Survival to Thrival
Margin of Safety
What It Takes
Welcome to Your Brain
Chaos Monkeys
Kill It With Fire
Bend The Curve
Founders at Work
The Story of Civilization: Rousseau and Revolution
Deng Xiaoping and The Transformation of China
The Strange Death Of Europe
Schulz and Peanuts
Caste
Werner Herzog - A Guide for the Perplexed
Without a Doubt
99% True
It's About Damn Time
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Boyd
Memoirs of My Life
Going Clear
The Victorian Internet
The Power of Broke
Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track
Goethe’s Poems and Aphorisms
Gold In The Grass
Simon the Sea Cat
Letters To A Young Athlete
Winners Take All
Deep Simplicity
The Alchemy of Air
Tuxedo Park
The Body Keeps The Score
Every Shot Counts
Misbehaving
Troublemakers
But What If We're Wrong?
Everything is Bullshit
The Value Investors
Masters of the Word
A Short History of Financial Euphoria
The Qur'an
The Botany of Desire
Fooling Some of the People All of the Time
Very Classy
Check Your Financial Privilege
Should We Eat Meat?
Capital Returns
War and Chance
The Essential Writings
The Power of Now
The Coddling of the American Mind
Defending Beef
The Interpretation of Dreams
Game Engine Black Book
The Hand
Skunk Works
The Evolving Self
Team Topologies
The Kitchen Cookbook
Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning
The Politics Industry
Fermat's Enigma
The Creative Act
Swallows and Amazons
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Nobody Wants To Read Your Sh*t
Lost Ocean
The Truth about Carbs
In-N-Out Burger
Tap Dancing to Work
Illusions
Think Twice
Dapper Dan
A History of the Mind
Knowledge and The Wealth of Nations
The World is Flat
The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King
Lifespan
The Medici Effect
Polio
Born to Run
Fallen Dragon
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
Sit Like a Buddha