Les Miserables is undoubtedly one of the greatest novels of the Romantic period, and possibly, of all time. It has been an inspiration to numerous writers such as Émile Zola, Gustave Flaubert, Albert Camus, and Fyodor Dostoevsky, to name a few.
The novel captured the revolutionary spirit of the French and ultimately epitomized heroism, compassion, salvation, and the very essence of humanity, which became a cornerstone and a testament to the enduring influence the novel has on far-reaching generations worldwide.
The unflinching and unforgivable conditions of the poor, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized are the centerpiece of this great literary masterpiece.
The novel speaks volumes to societies that clamor for progress and change amidst the roughest terrains of corruption, greed, apathy, and hatred. It tells the story of an ex-convict, Jean Valjean, who changed the course of his life because of the kindness shown to him by Bishop Myriel when nobody else did.
His imprisonment of nineteen years simply for stealing a loaf of bread propelled his transition from a hardened criminal to a merciful entrepreneur, a just politician, and a doting and selfless father to his surrogate daughter, Cosette.
The political upheaval of the middle class against the monarchy also played a significant role in the story. Indeed, this multilayered novel is a testament to the reforms that civilizations crave for a society where justice, equality, and freedom are at the helm of every nation's constitutional cause.
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Les Miserables
Historical FictionEnglish Subject; Les Miserables; Jean Valjean; Cosette Les Miserables is undoubtedly one of the greatest novels of the Romantic period, and possibly, of all time. It has been an inspiration to numerous writers such as Émile Zola, Gustave Flaubert, A...
