By David Bellos

'Never brain these self-help manuals urging that a few vintage novel may well switch your lifestyles; during this gleaming examine of the start, progress and afterlife of Hugo's evergreen blockbuster, David Bellos argues that Les Misérables already has' Boyd Tonkin, Economist

'Any reader who hasn't but launched into Hugo's publication should be switched over to the assumption by way of this one' Daniel Hahn, Spectator

The impressive tale of how an easy story of affection and revolution, the terrible and the downtrodden - Victor Hugo's cherished vintage Les Misérables - conquered the world.

There hasn't ever been a ebook love it. it's the most generally learn and usually tailored tale of all time, on degree and on movie. yet why is Les Misérables the radical of the century? David Bellos's extraordinary new ebook brings to lifestyles the extreme tale of ways Hugo controlled to write down his epic novel regardless of a revolution, a coup d'état and political exile; how he pulled off the deal of the century to get it released, and set it heading in the right direction to develop into the radical that epitomizes the grand sweep of historical past within the 19th century. Packed choked with information regarding the historical past and layout of Les Misérables, this biography of a masterpiece still insists that the ethical and social message of Hugo's ever-popular novel is simply as very important for our century because it used to be for its personal. The Novel of the Century is a booklet as wealthy, notable and long-lasting because the novel at its heart.

Les Misérables is to be had as a Penguin vintage, in an acclaimed new translation by way of Christine Donougher, with an advent through Robert Tombs.

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