Les Misérables
Victor Hugo · 1802–1885 · France
Originally Les Misérables (French)
Why it matters
The nineteenth century's great novel of mercy: one stolen loaf of bread, one relentless policeman, and the barricades of 1832. Melodrama at this scale and sincerity becomes myth: few novels have been loved by more readers.
At a glance
historical fictionepictragedy
Difficulty 5/10slow pace1232 pagesLong digressive essays on history and philosophy interrupt an otherwise clear plot.
Deep dive
A stolen loaf of bread sets off a chase that runs for two decades and hundreds of digressive pages — because Hugo thinks the digressions are the argument.
Where to go next
Victor Hugo · 1829The Last Day of a Condemned ManLvl 3Slow burn
Victor Hugo · 1831The Hunchback of Notre-DameLvl 5Slow burn
Victor Hugo · 1866Toilers of the SeaLvl 5Fast paced
Victor Hugo · 1869The Man Who LaughsLvl 6Medium pace
Victor Hugo · 1874Ninety-ThreeLvl 5Medium pace
Gustave Flaubert · 1857Madame BovaryLvl 5Slow burn