Les Miserables

by Victor Hugo

55 ratings, 26 reviews

Les Miserables is an unforgettable 19th century masterpiece of French literature by Victor Hugo, which was first published in 1862. Les Miserables (or "the Miserable Ones") is a story filled with adventure, love, crime, punishment, and redemption. It features such moving and memorable characters as heroic ex-convict Jean Valjean, the undaunted police detective Javert, the tragic prostitute Fantine and her young, innocent daughter, Cosette.

This epic novel moves from the French provinces to the dark alleys of Paris, from the battlefield of Waterloo to the ramparts of Paris during the revolt of 1832. Though each chapter is relatively short - a few pages or so - the book is pretty massive at 1,400 in English (unabridged), 1900 pages in French, and 6300 in iPhone. In addition to the storyline, Hugo fits in his thoughts on religion, politics, society and his famous retelling of the Battle of Waterloo. Therefor this book is not a quick or light read, and one might wait until they're in a full body cast to read this via smart device. Either way it is a magnificent piece of historical fiction to be savored.

Downloads on Classicly are completely free- these books are public domain.

We don’t pay a cent, so neither do you.

Write a review.

Mei Faiz

April 16, 2013

I can't say "no" to this book especially because this book has never failed or ceased to amaze me every time I'm reading it. Victor Hugo is indeed an amazing author and my favorite of all time.

Cyrus CeeJay-Isay

April 12, 2013

Still is my favorite book for all time.

Bob Looks

April 07, 2013

Viva la revalotion

Glen CYan

March 26, 2013

Victor Hugo brings to life a number of exceptional characters to brilliantly portray mid 19th century life experiences of various layers of French society. Interwoven in this masterful portrait were heart rendering scenes that focused on themes such as poverty, religion, truth, forgiveness, love and redemption played out against a backdrop of social injustice, unfair laws and human resourcefulness. I enjoyed reading this classic.

0530 3853

March 12, 2013

A sad and nice story enjoyed it a lot

Polly Kool

February 05, 2013

I saw the musical of it and it compelled me to read he book. Womderful choice.

Branden Grosvalet

January 21, 2013

One cannot simply read this book without crying at times. It is that powerful. Definitely changed my life

Kathryn Lee

January 07, 2013

This book is an act of conscience about acts of consciences.

Caitlin Vandermark

December 30, 2012

I meant to give the book 5 stars! If you are not familair with the history of the french revolution then reading a breif synopsis would be useful to fully comprehend the meaning and depth of perspective this book offers. Many of the central themes justice, love, religion, unfair laws, mercy & redemption are timeless. I would argue that the above themes are brought to life & revealed to the reader as the story unfolds.

Myra Calara

December 29, 2012

Good

Renos Georgiou

December 28, 2012

This was the first book I ever read at age 8 and it is a book that I have read many times more since that first time and it is a story that marked my life in many ways. I have not read a more divine story written on paper!

Todd Baldwin

December 16, 2012

This is, of course one of the greatest books ever written. What is rated only two stars is the fact that this version of Les Miserables has whole paragraphs missing. In some places it leaves out parts so the story does not even make sense. Or example it might say, "And then the Bishop said: Chapter 7". Without saying what the bishop ever said. Very frustrating.

Farangis Kamerani

November 04, 2012

This is one of best book imhave read. After finishing Les Miserables, i couldnt read any other book. The effect of this sad story captured my heart for few month. I recomend this book to every one. I give it 5 star.

Juan Lopez

October 16, 2012

Great easy to use

R Ray

October 11, 2012

Great read, the details are fantastic!

Davis Bickford

September 26, 2012

A classic book made of many books about life. The ugly, beautiful, miserably wonderful, truth.

Alaa Stalingrad

September 18, 2012

Top 10 Story in NY Times Features.

Rose Hannaford

September 14, 2012

This has become one of my favorite books ever. Les Miserables is a deep, tragic, beautiful, dark, shining, amazing novel. Highly recommended to anyone 13 and up.

Sundararajulu Selvarajan

September 04, 2012

Greatest book e

Krishnan Nair

August 27, 2012

A wonderful world classic !

Nicholas Hoang

August 05, 2012

Awesome

Jeff Galt

May 26, 2012

I love the digressions! It is an epic of truly grand proportions. Love, faith, grace, mercy, redemption, judgment intertwined with a treatise on revolution, liberty and justice. A sumptuous feast leaving one sated, yet eager for more.

Rachel Kappler

February 29, 2012

This is a masterful novel. The only problem is that Victor Hugo digresses too much about irrelevant topics. It isn't much fun to read Hugo's opinion about prayer, or sewers, or slang (for three whole chapters!) when our heroes are in deep suspense. The story itself is absolutely wonderful, though.