Les Misérables (Magill Book Reviews)
At a glance:
- Author: Victor Hugo
- First Published: 1862
- Type of Work: Novel
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
- Subjects: Justice, Revolutionaries, France or French people, Suicide, Police, Nineteenth century, Mistaken or secret identity, Obsession, Illegitimacy, Theft, Orphans or orphanages, Atonement
- Locales: Paris, France
Jean Valjean, imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread in late eighteenth century France, escapes years later and, after accepting the hospitality of a charitable bishop, absconds with the latter’s silver. Under another identity, Valjean emerges as a village mayor who saves from the police a prostitute struggling to support her daughter Cosette. Pursued by the indefatigable Inspector Javert, Valjean confesses his true identity only when it appears that another man will go to prison in his place.
Valjean escapes again and assumes the care of the now-orphaned Cosette. When Cosette...
[The entire page is 553 words long]
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