Les Misérables

Les Misérables is a famous French novel written by Victor Hugo. It was first published in 1862 and is considered one of the greatest books of the 1800s. The story has been made into many films, television shows, and a popular musical.

The book takes place in France, starting in 1815 and ending with events in Paris in 1832. It mainly follows a character named Jean Valjean, who was in trouble with the law but later tries to change his life and find a better path.

Through Valjean's story, the novel explores big ideas like law, mercy, history, politics, and love. It also gives readers a look at the history of France, the city of Paris, and important moral and religious questions.

Hugo's sources

Victor Hugo used real events to help him write his famous book Les Misérables. In 1829, he saw a man taken away by a police officer for stealing bread to feed his family. This moment inspired two characters in the book.

Hugo also used the life of a real person named Eugène François Vidocq. Vidocq had worked as a police officer and started France's first private detective agency. He once lifted a heavy cart to save a worker, just like a character in the book. Hugo visited places like prisons to help him write realistic details for his story.

Novel form

Les Misérables is one of the greatest books ever written. The author, Victor Hugo, wanted it to help people understand important issues, like poverty and unfairness.

The main story follows a man named Jean Valjean, who was in trouble with the law but later tries to do good. The book has many smaller stories too, but the big idea is to show how life can change from bad to good. It starts with hard times and ends with hope. The novel has five parts, with many chapters, making it one of the longest books ever written. Hugo wanted everyone to read it and think about these important issues.

Characters

Main article: List of Les Misérables characters

Major

• Jean Valjean – The main character of the story. He was born in Faverolles, Aisne. He was sent to prison for stealing food to help his hungry sister’s children. After many years in prison, he was released but faced rejection from others because of his past. A kind bishop helped him change his life. He took on a new identity and worked hard to be a better person. He became a leader in the community and helped many people, including rescuing a young girl named Cosette.

• Javert – A determined police officer who tried to catch Valjean. He grew up in a difficult environment and became very strict about following the law. He often clashed with Valjean but also respected him for his good deeds.

• Fantine – A young woman from Montreuil-sur-Mer who moved to Paris. She had a daughter named Cosette but was forced to give her up to cruel caretakers. Fantine worked hard to support her daughter but faced many hardships. She eventually fell ill and passed away.

• Cosette – Fantine’s daughter, who was badly mistreated by the people who were supposed to care for her. Valjean saved her and cared for her like his own child. She grew up to be kind and beautiful and later fell in love with Marius.

• Marius Pontmercy – A young student who fell in love with Cosette. He was involved in fights for justice and stood by Cosette through difficult times. After they married, he discovered some secrets about his family.

• Éponine – A girl who grew up with Cosette but faced her own struggles. She loved Marius and tried to help him, but things did not go as she hoped.

• Monsieur Thénardier and Madame Thénardier – A couple who took care of Cosette but treated her very badly. They took money from Fantine and lived off her hard work.

• Gavroche – One of the Thénardier’s children who lived on the streets. He helped others even though he was very poor. He sadly did not survive.

• Bishop Myriel – A kind and generous priest who helped Valjean change his life. He showed mercy and inspired Valjean to become a better person.

Friends of the ABC

A group of students who stood for justice and change.

• Bahorel – A student known for his talk and ideas.
• Combeferre – A student passionate about making the world better.
• Courfeyrac – A leader among the students, full of energy and belief.
• Enjolras – A strong and brave leader who fought for his beliefs.
• Feuilly – A young person who loved learning and justice.
• Grantaire – A friend who sometimes doubted but stood by the group in the end.
• Jean Prouvaire – A student with deep knowledge of many languages and history.
• Joly – A student who loved to think about health and nature.
• Lesgle – An older student who brought others together.

Minor

• Azelma – Éponine’s sister who later traveled to America.
• Bamatabois – A person who caused trouble for Fantine.
• (Mlle) Baptistine Myriel – Bishop Myriel’s loving sister.
• Blachevelle – A student who became involved with Fantine’s friends.
• Bougon, Madame – A caretaker at a building where Valjean once stayed.
• Brevet – An old prison friend of Valjean.
• Brujon – A person involved in robberies with the Thénardiers.
• Champmathieu – A person wrongly thought to be Valjean.
• Chenildieu – Another old prison friend of Valjean.
• Cochepaille – A person Valjean knew from prison.
• Colonel Georges Pontmercy – Marius’s father, a brave soldier.
• Dahlia – A friend of Fantine who also worked as a seamstress.
• Fameuil – A student who became involved with Fantine’s friends.
• Fauchelevent – A person Valjean helped find new work.
• Favourite – A leader among Fantine’s seamstress friends.
• Gillenormand, Mademoiselle – Monsieur Gillenormand’s daughter.
• Gillenormand, Monsieur – Marius’s grandfather, who often disagreed with him.
• Théodule Gillenormand – Marius’s cousin who tried to win their grandfather’s favor.
• Listolier – A student who became involved with Fantine’s friends.
• Mabeuf – A friend of Marius’s father who later joined the students’ fight.
• Magloire, Madame – A servant to Bishop Myriel and his sister.
• Magnon – A person who tried to take money meant for children.
• Mother Innocente – The leader of a convent where Valjean found safety.
• Patron-Minette – A group of people involved in robberies.
• Petit Gervais – A young boy who dropped a coin that Valjean kept.
• Sister Simplice – A nun who helped Fantine and protected Valjean.
• Félix Tholomyès – Fantine’s lover and Cosette’s father, who left her.
• Toussaint – Valjean and Cosette’s servant in Paris.
• Two little boys – The youngest sons of the Thénardiers who met Gavroche.
• Zéphine – A friend of Fantine who also worked as a seamstress.

The narrator

The author of the book tells the story, sometimes sharing his own experiences and thoughts about the events and places he describes. He writes about real history mixed with fiction, helping readers understand the past.

Plot

In 1815, a poor man named Jean Valjean left prison after 19 years for stealing bread to feed his hungry nephews. People treated him badly because of his past, and he had to sleep on the street. A kind bishop named Myriel gave him shelter and even gave him silverware. When Valjean tried to steal the silver, the bishop let him keep it and told him to use it to become a better person.

Valjean worked hard and became a successful factory owner and mayor of a town. He rescued a man stuck under a cart and caught the attention of a police inspector named Javert, who thought Valjean might still be a criminal.

A woman named Fantine worked at Valjean’s factory but had to leave her young daughter, Cosette, at an inn run by unkind people. Fantine was treated badly and became very sick. She was arrested but later released by Valjean, who promised to bring Cosette to her. However, Fantine died before Cosette could arrive.

Valjean was arrested again but escaped. He found Cosette and took her away from the bad innkeepers. They moved to Paris and lived together, but Javert kept looking for Valjean.

Years later, a student named Marius fell in love with the grown-up Cosette. There were plans for a big protest in Paris, and Marius got involved. During the protests, Marius and Cosette met again. Sadly, a woman named Éponine, who had known Marius, died during the protests after saving his life.

Valjean joined the protests to protect Marius but was seen by Marius, who didn’t recognize him at first. During the fighting, Valjean saved many people, including Javert. Marius recovered and eventually married Cosette. Valjean gave them money to start their new life together. In the end, Valjean was reunited with Marius and Cosette, and he died peacefully, knowing he had done good in the world.

Contemporary reception

When Les Misérables was about to be published, many people were excited because Victor Hugo was a famous poet in France. Hugo did not let anyone read parts of the book early. He wanted people to buy the whole book.

When the book was finally published, some people did not like it. Some thought it was too emotional, while others felt it supported big changes in society. Even famous writers had mixed feelings about it. But the book became very popular and was translated into many languages. People all over Europe and the world enjoyed reading it.

The New York Times

Goncourt brothers

Flaubert

Charles Baudelaire

Italian

Greek

Portuguese

English translations

Many people have helped bring the story of Les Misérables to English readers. The first translation was done by Charles E. Wilbour and was published in New York in June 1862. Later that year, Lascelles Wraxall made the first British translation.

Other translators have also worked on the book. Isabel Florence Hapgood’s version came out in 1887 and can be found on Project Gutenberg. In 1976, Norman Denny made a modern British version, and in 1987, Lee Fahnestock and Norman McAfee updated it. More recent translations were done by Julie Rose in 2007 and Christine Donougher in 2013.

Adaptations

Main article: Adaptations of Les Misérables

Since it was first published, Les Misérables has inspired many versions in different types of media, such as books, films, musicals, plays, and games.

Some well-known examples include:

• The 1934 film, a long French version
• The 1935 film
• The 1937 radio show by Orson Welles
• The 1980 musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg
• The 2012 film of the musical, featuring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe

Sequels

• Cosette: The Sequel to Les Misérables by Laura Kalpakian was published in 1995. It continues the story of Cosette and Marius.
• In 2001, two French novels by François Cérésa continued Hugo's story. One has been translated into English. These books include characters like Javert and Thénardier.