Books

Les Miserables: An Honest Book Review

Les Miserables: An Honest Book Review

Set in the early 1800s of France, Victor Hugo crafts a moving tale about love and redemption, Les Misérables, which translates to “The Miserables.”

Hugo was a highly influential novelist during the Romantic Movement in France. He published Les Misérables in 1862 to massive popularity and it is still beloved today. Hugo uses an elaborate plot, unexpected chance encounters, and hidden identities to spin a passionate tale. The novel focuses on Jean Valjean, a former convict, who struggles to escape from his past. The story follows the lives and interactions of several characters while weaving in historical events from France.

The book is filled with dozens of wonderful, and not so wonderful, characters. Les Misérables challenges stereotypes of the rich and the poor, the free and the jailed, and the beautiful and the ugly. It also proves over and over again what the power of love for others can do. The story is used by Hugo to examine and criticize French society and law in the 19th century. He wanted to bring attention to not only the struggles of the poor but also their remarkable potential.

In modern days, Les Misérables has been popularized through film, television, and stage adaptations. This classic and well-known story is still being told and read about around the world. Les Misérables continues to challenge people’s beliefs and shape their ideas. I highly encourage you to not only read Les Misérables but to understand and appreciate the themes and concepts present in this beautiful story.

Need a copy? It’s easy to find for free at your public library, try setting up an account at Hoopla — https://www.hoopladigital.com/

Looking for other great books? Check out this review of The Book Thief, https://www.girlspring.com/tag/book-review/

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