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
The Wright Brothers
Technically Food
Startup
Deep Survival
The Etymologicon
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
The Coaching Habit
The Innovator’s Solution
Beyond Good and Evil
Walter Benjamin
The Romance of American Communism
The Activist's Media Handbook
Calm Your Mind with Food
The Upside of Stress
The Evolution of Beauty
The Art of Computer Programming
The Four Agreements
A World-Class Education
The Extension of Man
In The Plex
Mr. Putin
Becoming Steve Jobs
A Cultural History of Physics
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert
The Jungle Grows Back
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Zorba the Greek
Creation
The Ride of a Lifetime
Mean Genes
The Network State
The Utopia of Rules
Founders' Son
Dancing In The Glory Of Monsters
Art of the Living Dead
Brute
The Terminal List
No Bullshit Guide to Math and Physics
Three Blind Mice
The Right Stuff
The Warrior Ethos
The Fry Chronicles
Fallout
Powerful
Big World, Small Planet
The Omnivore's Dilemma
Tipping Points
Inversions
No Applause - Just Throw Money
How The Scots Invented The Modern World
Lessons for the Living
Bitcoin Billionaires
The Cult of LEGO
Beating The Street
Exhalation
Flu
Dune Messiah
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
The Formula
Not Zero
George's Marvellous Medicine
Going Infinite
Eisenhower in War and Peace
A Technique for Producing Ideas
Natural Capitalism
Civilisation
Money: Master The Game
The Score Takes Care of Itself
The Ones We Have Been Waiting For
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Live Free or Die
The Economic Consequences of the Peace
Artemis
On Bullshit
The 80/20 Principle
Einstein's Mistakes
A History of Rome
Epic Measures
The Energy World Is Flat
Pre-Suasion
Civilian Warriors
Built To Last
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Oh, The Place You’ll Go
Grit
The Butterfly Defect
The Surrender Experiment
Kill Switch
The Messy Middle
The Happiness Hypothesis
Saving Capitalism from Short Termism
American Buffalo
The Rise of Superman
Bull by the Horns
The Sympathizer
Good Night, Little Bear
The Belly Art Project
The Curse of the Mogul
Aware