Les Miserables

by Victor Hugo
Les Miserables cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £13.99–£19.95 Hardback • £25.00–£78.00
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  • ID: 4311
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2026-04-11
  • ISBN: 9781530297238
  • Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Published: 2016-03-01
  • Formats: 16
  • Reviews: 3

Victor Hugo's monumental classic, Les Miserables, is a profound exploration of the human condition, set against the backdrop of 19th-century France. The novel delves into the intricate layers of society, examining themes of law, grace, justice, and love. It is a rich tapestry of adventure, political intrigue, and moral philosophy, all woven together with Hugo's unparalleled storytelling prowess./n/nThe story begins in 1815 and culminates in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris, following the lives of several characters, most notably Jean Valjean. His struggle for redemption and the relentless pursuit by the police detective Javert create a gripping narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Les Miserables is not just a literary masterpiece but also a powerful social document, capturing the essence of life in nineteenth-century France.

Reviews
Coffee Books and Cake · 2023-10-10
engaging 4.50

The novel is remarkably readable, with Hugo's writing style feeling like a conversation. The story is engaging and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on society and humanity.

The reviewer was struck by how readable and engaging Hugo's writing is, feeling as though they were having a conversation with the author. They found the story to be thought-provoking and engaging, offering a unique perspective on society and humanity. The reviewer appreciated the depth of the characters and the way Hugo weaves together themes of justice, mercy, and redemption. Overall, they found the novel to be a powerful and moving experience.

Quick quotes

    The first thing that struck me about the novel is how very readable it is.

    Hugo writes like we are having a conversation.

    He is relaying a story, and it feels personal and intimate.

Tony's Reading List · Tony · 2020-10-19
ambitious 4.00

The novel is ambitious and offers a comprehensive look at society, though it sometimes feels overstuffed. The themes of justice and redemption are particularly compelling.

Tony found Les Miserables to be a remarkably ambitious novel that offers a comprehensive look at society. While he appreciated the depth of the themes and the compelling exploration of justice and redemption, he felt that the novel sometimes tried to pack too much in at once. Despite this, he found the story to be powerful and thought-provoking, with memorable characters and a compelling narrative.

Quick quotes

    It's a remarkably ambitious look at society as a whole.

    Even if there's a sense the writer is trying to pack too much in at times, it's a compelling read.

    The themes of justice and redemption are particularly compelling.

The Guardian · 2008-07-11
thought-provoking 3.50

The novel's length and coincidences are not subtle, but it is read for its exploration of humanity and society. The portrayal of ordinary people is particularly fascinating.

The reviewer noted that Les Miserables is not read for its subtlety or clever plot, but rather for its exploration of humanity and society. They found the portrayal of ordinary people to be particularly fascinating and appreciated the depth of the themes. While the novel's length and coincidences might be off-putting to some, the reviewer found the story to be powerful and thought-provoking, with a compelling exploration of justice, mercy, and redemption.

Quick quotes

    With its gargantuan length and exaggerated coincidences, Les Misérables is not read for its subtlety or the cleverness of the plot.

    The portrayal of ordinary people is particularly fascinating.

    The themes of justice, mercy, and redemption are compelling.

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