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Les Misérables

A modern translation of a timeless classic

Victor Hugo author Christine Donougher translator Robert Tombs editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:26th Nov '15

Should be back in stock very soon

Les Misérables cover

The story follows Jean Valjean, an escaped convict striving for redemption, as he navigates the challenges posed by his past and Inspector Javert in Les Misérables.

In Les Misérables, Victor Hugo crafts a poignant narrative centered around Jean Valjean, an escaped convict seeking redemption. Valjean's journey to transform his life and become a respected member of society is fraught with challenges, primarily stemming from his own moral dilemmas and the unyielding pursuit of Inspector Javert. The tension between Valjean's desire for a new beginning and the shadows of his past creates a gripping backdrop for the story.

As Valjean attempts to navigate his new life, he becomes entwined with the fate of Fantine, a struggling mother forced into desperation. Valjean's promise to protect Fantine's daughter, Cosette, adds another layer of complexity to his quest for redemption. Through Valjean's experiences, Hugo explores themes of injustice, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love. The novel's rich character development and intricate plot weave together personal and social struggles, making it a timeless exploration of the human condition.

This modern translation by Christine Donougher revitalizes Hugo's classic, making it accessible to contemporary readers while preserving the essence of the original text. With an introduction by Robert Tombs, this edition invites readers to immerse themselves in the world of Les Misérables, where the fight for justice and compassion resonates as powerfully today as it did in the 19th century.

A magnificent achievement. It reads easily, sometimes racily, and Hugo's narrative power is never let down ... An almost flawless translation, which brings the full flavour of one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century to new readers in the twenty-first * The Times Literary Supplement *
Christine Donougher's seamless and very modern translation of Les Misérables has an astonishing effect in that it reminds readers that Hugo was going further than any Dickensian lament about social conditions ... The Wretched touches the soul * Herald Scotland *

ISBN: 9780241248744

Dimensions: 199mm x 130mm x 60mm

Weight: 928g

1456 pages