80 pages • 2 hours read
Victor HugoLes Miserables
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1862A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo follows the lives of several characters in early 19th-century France, chiefly Jean Valjean, an ex-convict seeking redemption; Inspector Javert, who obsessively hunts Valjean; Fantine, a woman forced into destitution; and Marius, a revolutionary who falls in love with Valjean's adopted daughter, Cosette. The novel explores themes of justice, poverty, and the transformative power of love. The narrative includes instances of violence, suicide, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Victor Hugo's Les Miserables is widely celebrated for its in-depth character development, rich historical context, and profound themes of justice and redemption. Readers appreciate its emotional depth and social commentary, though some criticize its length and dense prose. Overall, it remains a compelling and influential literary classic.
Who Should Read Les Miserables?
A reader who enjoys Les Miserables by Victor Hugo typically appreciates historical fiction, complex character development, and social justice themes. Fans of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy and A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens might find this novel equally compelling due to its rich narrative and socio-political commentary.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
990LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Classic Fiction
Drama / Tragedy
Emotions/Behavior: Courage
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Emotions/Behavior: Love