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
Prime Movers of Globalization
Fall; or, Dodge in Hell
The Idealist
#AskGaryVee
Zucked
White Working Class
The Devil’s Financial Dictionary
The Diamond Age
The Design of Everyday Things
Superhuman
The Three Marriages
Maps of Meaning
The Artist's Way
Walk in Their Shoes
Francis Crick
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
Devil's Harbor
A Walk in the Woods
Not The End of the World
Hyperion
An Inconvenient Truth
The Blank Swan
How To Win at the Sport of Business
The Adventures of Henry Thoreau
A History of Knowledge
A Higher Loyalty
Free Women, Free Men
The Art of People
Plentiful Energy
The Halo Effect...
The Black Dahlia
Bad News
The Plot Against the President
Lolita
Striking Thoughts
Titan
For The Love Of Physics
The Death of the Artist
Leadership
Genome
The 48 Laws of Power
Trailblazer
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples
The Hustler
The Emotion Code
Hacks
Between The World And Me
Small Is the New Big
Be the Person You Want to Find
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo
Digital Gold
The Fabric of Civilization
Devil Take the Hindmost
Prelude to Foundation
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Flying Start
Double your Profits
The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life
An Elegant Defense
Switch
Why We Sleep
Play It Away
The Starfish and the Spider
Exit Interview
Radical Son
Powers of Two
The American Challenge
When Breath Becomes Air
Money Changes Everything
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
What Do People Do All Day?
Thinking Physics
Flow
Superintelligence
The Wizard of Menlo Park
Against The World
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
True Believer
Born Red
The Piano Tuner
Men, Machines, and Modern Times
A Whole New Mind
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
Evolving Ourselves
The True Believer
Starlink
Sustainable Materials With Both Eyes Open
With the Old Breed
The Tycoons
Electrify
Platform Revolution
From Galileo to Newton
Modernity Without Restraint
Dominion
Sex at Dawn
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
When I Say No, I Feel Guilty
I Seem To Be A Verb
Ham on Rye
Elvis Cole Series