Les Misérables (Classic Reprint): Abridged, With Introduction and Notes

by Victor Hugo

A prisoner named Jean valjean is released from prison after nineteen years. He is turned away and shunned from every door in a town before he finds refuge in a Bishop house. But he steals from the Bishop who forgives him. Jean valjean mends his ways to become a rich man but is recognised by Inspector javert. Javert’s sole aim is to put him behind bars again. Javert tries to capture Jean valjean but it results in the death of fantine, a working-class mother whose child valjean rescues from the evil Innkeeper and his wife. He raises cosette like his own and his life is transformed by love for the child. But Jean valjean’s life changes when cosette falls for marius and the French Revolution breaks out. Set in 19th century Paris, Les misérables is arguably the best classic of French literature. A prisoner named Jean valjean is released from prison after nineteen years. He is turned away and shunned from every door in a town before he finds refuge in a Bishop house. But he steals from the Bishop who forgives him. Jean valjean mends his ways to become a rich man but is recognised by Inspector javert. Javert’s sole aim is to put him behind bars again. Javert tries to capture Jean valjean but it results in the death of fantine, a working-class mother whose child valjean rescues from the evil Innkeeper and his wife. He raises cosette like his own and his life is transformed by love for the child. But Jean valjean’s life changes when cosette falls for marius and the French Revolution breaks out. Set in 19th century Paris, Les misérables is arguably the best classic of French literature.

Genres: Fiction

358 pages, Paperback

Published August 24, 2018

About the author

After Napoleon III seized power in 1851, French writer Victor Marie Hugo went into exile and in 1870 returned to France; his novels include The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1831) and Les Misérables (1862).

This poet, playwright, novelist, dramatist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, and perhaps the most influential, important exponent of the Romantic movement in France, campaigned for human rights. People in France regard him as one of greatest poets of that country and know him better abroad.

Reviews

[Laura P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an abridged version (829 pages instead of 1400+, because I didn't realize it was abridged when I bought it) and really liked it. It's always been one of my favorite stories so glad I finally read it. The translation and editing is done well; there are a couple places where it's a little abrupt but overall you really don't notice the cuts. Hugo's prose certainly holds up and is quite moving. I would be open to trying the full version some day!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to an abridged version of this book partly to fulfill a 2024 book challenge prompt and partly because I will be attending the musical shortly. This is a powerful story about humanity and the salvation of a human soul. Conscience is a driving theme too. Jean Valjean, a simple soul trying to help his sister and her family, steals bread, is caught, and imprisoned initially for five years but to numerous escape attempts serves 19 years. On release he has to resort to crime but is saved by his conscience when he steals the silver from a church and the priest covers for him. The story then finds him reformed and in a position of respect but his past comes back to haunt him in the presence of Javier, a rigid, mean-spirited unhappy policeman who remembers Valjean from the he served at the prison where Jean was held. Javier becomes Valjean’s nemesis. Not to retell the story but as the years progress, Valjean cares for Cosette, the daughter of a tragic mother Valjean knew. She grows to maturity and falls in love with Marius who is involved in the insurrection that closes the streets of Paris. What transpires from hereon is the revelation of man’s spirit to help, succor, forgive and heal in the actions of Valjean. His actions are so incomprehensible to Javier he cannot fathom a world where goodness can exist. I think I would have enjoyed the story more except for the narrator of the audio version I listened to.

[Brooke Cookie Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had been on my list of books to read for a long time. I started reading it on a delayed flight to France, and about 100 pages in and I got hooked! The character of Jean Val Jean is painted to embody the conflict within each of us: the war between good and evil. It is an amazing journey that tears at your heartstrings and teaches beautiful lessons. It helped that I had seen the movie before, so I could follow along more easily.

[Lillian Bohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be be better if Jean Valjean and Javert ended up together. Would've solved a lot of their problems. Marius is a terrible person.

[Angie Byrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for a class and it was decent. I enjoyed how all the characters’ plots intertwined and the plot twists. I would not have chosen to read this had it not have been assigned to me, but out of all the books I’ve had to read so far this semester, this one has been the easiest and most enjoyable.

[Hannah Anderton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very long but good story. I loved the perspective I gained about the French Revolution. Hugo’s writing, although long-winded, is beautiful and poetic especially in his descriptions. I probably could have gotten more into it if I had the attention span of a 19th century French man. ;)
RIP Gavroche

[Grace Eller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read and listened to a conglomeration of 3 different translations of this book to get it done which probably took some of the joy out of it for me.

I’m glad to be done. A great story, but even an abridged version could be abridged more. 😂

[Laura R]

I read an abridged version, don't know which.

[lol bonerg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read abridged version so it doesn’t really count