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    Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide
    Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide
    Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide
    Ebook48 pages33 minutes

    Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide

    By Bright Summaries

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    About this ebook

    Unlock the more straightforward side of Les Misérables with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!

    This engaging summary presents an analysis of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, which is one of the author’s most famous works and a world-renowned novel. It focuses on Jean Valjean, a former prisoner who tries to rebuild his life, and goes on to tell the stories of Cosette, Fantine, Javert, Marius, and many other characters who are now household names throughout the world. Hugo wanted to depict the stark reality of French society during the 19th century and tackles themes such as politics, philosophy and justice. It has since been adapted for the stage, with the musical version being the longest-running musical in the West End, running continuously since October 1985. Hugo was a national treasure in France, both as a writer and as a political figure and his death triggered intense national mourning. 

    Find out everything you need to know about Les Misérables in a fraction of the time!

    This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
    • A complete plot summary
    • Character studies
    • Key themes and symbols
    • Questions for further reflection

    Why choose BrightSummaries.com?
    Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you in your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.

    See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrightSummaries.com
    Release dateFeb 26, 2016
    ISBN9782806270283
    Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide

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      Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Book Analysis) - Bright Summaries

      French novelist, poet, playwright and politician

      Born in Besançon in 1802

      Died in Paris in 1885

      Notable works:

      Hernani (1830), play

      The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1832), novel

      Le Misérables (1862), novel

      A poet, novelist, playwright and politician, Victor Hugo was the most symbolic writer of the French Romantic movement. Elected as a figurehead of the Romantics, he also led a politically engaged life, defending significant causes, such as the abolition of the death sentence. During the second empire, he was forced to go into exile (1851-1870) in Jersey, then in Guernsey, where he wrote Les Misérables.

      On his death, in 1885, the Republic organized a national funeral for him, and he was celebrated by the people as the most important French writer of all time.

      A multi-dimensional realistic fiction

      Genre: novel

      Reference edition: Hugo, V. (1956) Les Misérables. Paris: Gallimard.

      First edition: 1862

      Themes: poverty, love, death, religion, redemption, revolt

      Les Misérables is a novel in five volumes published in 1862. Of considerable length, the plot of this story focuses on the character of Jean Valjean, a former prisoner sentenced to the galleys, and his quest for redemption. The hero meets many people, who all serve for the author to describe the misery weighing on the people, against the background of historical reconstitutions.

      A phenomenal success at its publication, Les Misérables is now one of the most widely read works of French literature and a text that has generated the greatest number of by-works.

      Volume I – Fantine

      After many years spent in prison for stealing a loaf of bread and having tried to escape several times, the prisoner Jean Valjean is finally freed. When he arrives in Digne looking for a place to spend the night, his status of former prisoner leads everyone to close their door to him, except Bishop Myriel, who offers him food and a place to rest. However, Jean Valjean flees during the night, stealing the silverware and two candelabras. He is taken by the police and brought back to the clergyman. The latter forgives him, declares him free and encourages

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