mis?rables

Latin American novelist Mario Vargas Llosa offers his analysis of Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," arguing that the novel presents a utopian vision of literature that prompts readers to imagine a better world.

"The definitive biography of the world's most popular novel. Putting a century of scholarship on one of the world's most enduring popular novels into accessible, narrative form, this new approach to a classic of world literature is written for a wide general readership. Packed full of information about the book's origins and later career on stage and screen, The Novel of the Century brings to life the extraordinary story of how Victor Hugo managed to write his novel of the downtrodden despite a revolution, a coup d'?tat, and political exile; how he pulled off the deal of the century to get it published; and how he set it on course to become the novel that epitomizes the grand sweep of history in the nineteenth century. This biography of a masterpiece also shows how and why the moral and social messages of Les Mis?rables are full of meaning for our time. "--.

Presents a cartoon version of Hugo's story about a convict who seeks to redeem his past in revolutionary Paris, and features essays on the author, background, themes, characters, and significance of the work.

Contains a complete plot summary and analysis of Victor Hugo's "Les Mis?rables", as well as discussion of the characters and themes, and includes study questions.

Includes firsthand interviews, photographs, costume illustrations, and the libretta from the show.