Les Misérables

“there is a stage where the unfortunate and the infamous are mingled and confounded in one word,—a fatal word, “Les Misérables”.

Les Misérables is a French epic historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. Les Misérables has been popularised through numerous adaptations for film, television, and the stage, including a hugely successful musical. Beginning in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris, the novel follows the lives and interactions of several characters, particularly the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption. Examining the nature of law and grace, Hugo elaborates upon the history of France, the architecture and urban design of Paris, politics, moral philosophy, antimonarchism, justice, religion, and the types and nature of romantic and familial love.

The novel is subdivided into three levels. Confusion can arise as the names for each level sometimes varies between editions; the names adopted here are as follows:

  • Les Misérables was originally published in five Volumes (sometimes called parts)
  • Each Volume is divided into between eight and fifteen Books (also, sometimes called parts)
  • Each Book is divided into Chapters, which are not very long – generally between one and ten pages.

There are 365 Chapters, leading to an obvious scheme for reading the book over the course of a year.

The resources presented here are as follows: