Sophia Basaldua-SunLes Miserables, by Victor Hugo, is a 1400 page novel that defies description. Originally published in serial form, I read the Everyman’s edition, which described it as the story of Jean Valjean, and insofar as his story anchors the narrative throughout, that is an accurate description.<br>
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But the novel is really epic in proportion, weaving many characters lives together while trying to capture the moment of revolution and the lead up to it.<br>
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It is a deep reflection on society and humanity, starting from a reflection on the impact that those who act selflessly can have on the community around them, the corrupting rather than reformative power of the modern carceral system, how a cruel society creates the very people it identifies as aberrations.<br>
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While its digressions can at times become tedious, the narrative overall is captivating, propulsive, and in terms of its social commentary, remains deeply relevant to our society today. Perhaps because, despite our striving, we remain in the modern era that Hugo wrote about.<br>
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I’ll be spending the next two months on this momentous novel. Come along if you like.<br>
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QOTD: Have you read Les Miserables?<br>
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