Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is an epic novel set in 19th-century France that follows the redemption journey of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict pursued by the rigid inspector Javert. The book weaves together stories of love, revolution, injustice, and mercy, featuring characters like the destitute Fantine, her daughter Cosette, and the student Marius. A profound social commentary on poverty, class, and morality, it combines human drama with philosophical reflection. Its enduring themes and sweeping narrative have made it a cornerstone of classic literature.
About Victor Hugo
A French poet, novelist, and dramatist, a towering figure of the Romantic movement. His monumental novels, Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, are celebrated for their epic scope, social commentary, and deeply human characters. Hugo's work championed the downtrodden, explored themes of justice, redemption, and love, and often critiqued societal injustices. His passionate prose, vivid descriptions, and profound moral vision cemented his status as a literary giant and an enduring voice for humanity.
Other Books by Victor Hugo
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
by Victor Hugo
An emotionally stirring story, Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is rightfully considered to be one of the finest novels ever written. Rejected by fifteenth-century Parisian society, the bell-ringer Quasimodo believes he is safe under the watchful eye of his master, the Archdeacon Claude Frollo. But after Quasimodo saves the beautiful Romani girl Esmeralda from the gallows and brings her to sanctuary in the cathedral, he and Frollo's mutual desire for her puts them increasingly at odds, before compassion and cruelty clash with tragic results.
Similar Books
War and Peace
by Leo Tolstoy
At a glittering society party in St Petersburg in 1805, conversations are dominated by the prospect of war. Terror swiftly engulfs the country as Napoleon's army marches on Russia, and the lives of three young people are changed forever. The stories of quixotic Pierre, cynical Andrey and impetuous Natasha interweave with a huge cast, from aristocrats and peasants, to soldiers and Napoleon himself. In War and Peace (1868-9), Tolstoy entwines grand themes - conflict and love, birth and death, free will and fate - with unforgettable scenes of nineteenth-century Russia, to create a magnificent epic of human life in all its imperfection and grandeur.
Emma
by Jane Austen
In Emma, Jane Austen crafts a witty and insightful portrait of a young woman who delights in matchmaking but misjudges her own feelings and those of others. Set in a quiet English village, the novel follows Emma Woodhouse as she navigates the social intricacies of love, class, and friendship. Though intelligent and charming, Emma’s meddling leads to misunderstandings that reveal her need for self-awareness. This classic novel explores personal growth and the pitfalls of pride with enduring humor and elegance.
Persuasion
by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s Persuasion is a quiet, mature romance about second chances. Anne Elliot, who once rejected the love of Captain Wentworth due to family pressure, encounters him again years later. Set against the backdrop of shifting social structures in early 19th-century England, the novel reflects on regret, resilience, and constancy. It is Austen’s final completed work and perhaps her most introspective, featuring a heroine whose emotional depth and intelligence reveal a nuanced view of love and personal growth.
Anna Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy
Acclaimed by many as the world's greatest novel, Anna Karenina provides a vast panorama of contemporary life in Russia and of humanity in general. In it Tolstoy uses his intense imaginative insight to create some of the most memorable characters in all of literature. Anna is a sophisticated woman who abandons her empty existence as the wife of Karenin and turns to Count Vronsky to fulfil her passionate nature - with tragic consequences. Levin is a reflection of Tolstoy himself, often expressing the author's own views and convictions.