But that is just one story being told here. But his new found way of life and the respect he has earned becomes threatened one day when the police officer, Javert, starts to recognise him. Taking the little money and the vast amount of kindness he has been given, Jean Valjean slowly becomes an honest (and wealthy) man who helps those in need. Standing up or lying down or any way at all Until he is shown an act of kindness beyond his imagination by someone who breaks the cycle of anger and vengeance. He comes away from all those years doing hard labour with anger running in his veins- what kind of society sends a man to that disgusting fate for trying to quell his hunger? His thoughts turn to revenge and rebellion he no longer even wants to try playing by the rules of a country which has done this to him. So, the main plot line of this story is about the ex-convict, Jean Valjean, who has been released from prison after serving nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread and then trying to escape. It seems wrong to try and simplify the amazing plot of Les Miserables but I have to somehow fit all that greatness into this little review space. Les Misérables is a nasty, gritty, haunting novel that doesn't fail to stay with you for a long time after putting it down. I had actually expected the book to be more gentle and subdued than the musical because of the time it was written and to avoid controversy - especially as Hugo's opinion of the French judicial system during this time was made very clear - but this was not the case. The book is, as is often the case, a much deeper and well-developed version of the same story, but I still recognised many of my favourite scenes from the stage production. I feel the need to mention the musical of Les Misérables (and I'm going to incorporate some lyrics into this review because why not?). Not only this, but I can say that not one page of this giant bored me.Īt the end of the day you're another day olderĪnd that's all you can say for the life of the poor and he provides food for thought on commonly-held ideas about the nature of law, justice, love, religion and politics. Hugo takes the reader on a 1200+ page journey around France and into the lives of criminals, prostitutes, those wasting away under the strain of poverty. It is a story about the lowest and darkest parts of French society in the first half of the nineteenth century. In fact, it is the very opposite of fluffy happiness. So, as you will have concluded, this is not a happy book. Les Misérables can be translated from the French into "The Miserable Ones", "The Wretched", "The Poor Ones", "The Wretched Poor" or "The Victims".
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