Les Misérables

Les Misérables is a famous French novel written by Victor Hugo. It was first published on March 31, 1862, and is considered one of the greatest books of the 19th century. The story has been made into many films, television shows, and even a popular musical.

The book takes place in France, starting in 1815 and ending with the June Rebellion 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 redemption.

Through Valjean's story, the novel explores big ideas like law, mercy, history, politics, and different kinds of 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 based parts of his famous book Les Misérables on real events he saw and heard. In 1829, he watched a man being 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, who had worked as a police officer and started France's first private detective agency. Vidocq once lifted a heavy cart to save a worker, just like a character in the book does later. Hugo visited places like prisons and took notes to help him write realistic details for his story.

Novel form

The book Les Misérables is one of the greatest novels ever written. The author, Victor Hugo, wanted it to help people understand important social issues, like poverty and unfairness. He wrote that as long as these problems exist, books like this one can help.

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, from wrong to right. 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, no matter where they lived, 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 a loaf of bread to feed 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. Javert struggled with his beliefs about right and wrong.

• 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 after learning about Valjean’s true identity.

• 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 and worked to protect Cosette.

• 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. Her story ends sadly, but she showed deep feelings for Marius.

• 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. Later, they tried to rob Valjean but were stopped.

• Gavroche – One of the Thénardier’s children who lived on the streets. He helped others even though he was very poor. He took part in fights for justice and 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 was released from prison after 19 years for stealing bread to feed his starving nephews. Because of his past, he was treated badly and 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 struggled with his past but eventually 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 suspected Valjean of being a former criminal.

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

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

Eight 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’s paths crossed 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, who later struggled with his feelings about Valjean’s kindness. 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. Before the book came out, Hugo did not let anyone read parts of it 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 people who wanted to change society in a big way. Even famous writers had mixed feelings about it. But even so, the book became very popular and was translated into many languages right away. People all over Europe and other parts of 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 very first translation was done by Charles E. Wilbour and became available in New York in June 1862. Soon after, Lascelles Wraxall made the first British translation, published in London later that same year.

Other translators have worked on the book too. Isabel Florence Hapgood’s version came out in 1887 and can be found on Project Gutenberg. In 1976, Norman Denny offered a modern British take, and in 1987, Lee Fahnestock and Norman McAfee provided an updated version based on Wilbour’s work. More recent translations include those by Julie Rose in 2007 and Christine Donougher in 2013, both of which include extra details about Victor Hugo’s life.

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, which was nominated for important awards
• 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, continuing the story of Cosette and Marius, but more linked to the musical than the original book.
• 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 in new adventures.