Les Misérables
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo is presented in a new translation by Julie Rose, published by Random House Publishing Group on July 8, 2008. This unabridged edition spans 1376 pages and offers a comprehensive exploration of Hugo’s narrative, which intertwines themes of crime, punishment, justice, and redemption. The story takes readers through various settings, from the French provinces to the streets of Paris, and includes significant historical events such as the Battle of Waterloo and the Paris uprising of 1832.
In this edition, readers will encounter the journey of Jean Valjean, a man marked by his past and driven by a quest for redemption. The novel delves into social issues of Hugo’s time, including injustice and social inequality, while introducing a cast of memorable characters such as the relentless detective Javert, the compassionate bishop Myriel, and the tragic figure of Fantine. This translation aims to bring new life to Hugo’s work, making it accessible and engaging for contemporary audiences, while retaining the depth and complexity of the original text.
Official synopsis Publisher
In this major new rendition by the acclaimed translator Julie Rose, Victor Hugo’s tour de force, Les Misérables, is revealed in its full unabridged glory. A favorite of readers for nearly 150 years, and the basis for one of the most beloved stage musicals ever, this stirring tale of crime, punishment, justice, and redemption pulses with life and energy. Hugo sweeps readers from the French provinces to the back alleys of Paris, and from the battlefield of Waterloo to the bloody ramparts of Paris during the uprising of 1832.
First published in 1862, this sprawling novel is an extravagant historical epic that is teeming with harrowing adventures and unforgettable characters. In the protagonist, Jean Valjean, a quintessential prisoner of conscience who languished for years in prison for stealing bread to feed his starving family, Les Misérables depicts one of the grand themes in literature–that of the hunted man. Woven into the narrative are the prevalent social issues of Hugo’s day: injustice, authoritarian rule, social inequality, civic unrest. And this new translation brings astonishing vivacity and depth to Hugo’s immortal dramatis personae–the relentless police detective Javert, the saintly bishop Myriel, the tragic prostitute Fantine and her innocent daughter, Cosette, the dashing lover Marius, and many others whom Jean Valjean encounters on his path to sublime sacrifice.
Featuring an Introduction by the award-winning journalist and author Adam Gopnik, this Modern Library edition is an outstanding, authoritative translation of a masterpiece, a literary high-wire act that continues to astonish, stimulate, enlighten, and entertain readers around the world.
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