Hugo's Les Miserables (Cliffs Notes) [Paperback]

Amy L. Marsland (Author), George Klin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0822007355 | ISBN-13: 978-0822007357 | Publication Date: November 15, 1968 | Edition: 1

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.

In CliffsNotes on Les Miserables, you examine two themes from Victor Hugo's epic: the struggle between good and evil in the soul of one man, and society's struggle toward a greater good. Addressing many of the social issues of his day, Hugo wrote this novel, which traces the path of Jean Valjean as he changes from convict to saint. Hugo believed in the spiritual possibilities of human beings and has chosen the story of the poor and outcast to illustrate this "perfectibility of man."

With expert commentaries and critical analyses, this study guide helps you explore the profound social problems of the early 1800s, which influenced Hugo's work. You'll also gain insight into the author's life and other major works. Other features that help you study include

• Introduction to the novel
• A brief synopsis of the novel
• Chapter summaries and analyses
• An Interactive quiz to test your knowledge
• Essay topics and review questions

Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure – you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Editorial Reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes; 1 edition (November 15, 1968)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822007355
• ISBN-13: 978-0822007357
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.3 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > French
  • #91 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Education > Book Notes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Les Miserables"-- proof of Hugo's belief in humanity, May 4, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Hugo's Les Miserables (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

Being one of the precious few who see Javert as the novel's most intriguing character, I found myself flipping through "Les Miserables" when I first purchased it, looking for all of the "Javert chapters." However, though it took me a year to finish the remaining pages of the book (those focusing on Valjean and the protagonists), I must admit that I now consider it to be my favorite piece of literature. I'm sure that most everyone reading this review knows the plot, but I'll summarize it anyway. The hero-- Jean Valjean, convict who breaks parole. The "bad guy" (not really!)-- Inspector Javert, an misunderstood policeman. The miserable ones-- Fantine (prostitute), Eponine (suffers from a forbidden love), the Parisian beggars. The lovers-- Cosette (Fantine's daughter; Valjean's charge) & Marius (student). The revolutionaries-- Enjolras, Marius, students. Story: Javert chases Valjean, Valjean changes his life and looks out for Cosette, Students and Eponine die, Marius and Cosette get married, Valjean dies. Sounds uplifting, doesn't it? Seriously, though the story is extremely deep and the negative emotional content is through the roof (as are the amounts of philosophical commentaries and descriptions that Hugo interjects, i.e. a 100-page documentary on the history of the Parisian sewer system), the reader almost always finishes the book with a sort of uplifted feeling; a new belief in the ability of humanity to transcend and break free of our earthly chains. The musical version of Hugo's masterpiece sends the audience away with similar thoughts, but the story is severely condensed and the romanticism enhanced. I will say one thing of Boublil & Schonberg, though-- they were true to Hugo's intents. I believe it's on one of the first pages of the novel that Hugo alerts his readers to the fact that "Les Miserables" is NOT about Valjean, Javert, Cosette, or any of the others. It's about the Eternity. And the lyrics and melodies of the musical "Les Miserables" are true to this-- they never once forget that the primary aim of the story is to tell people the news of God's power over all of us, and how, through His love, we too can love, grow, and, as Valjean discovers, we can change

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ahhhh... Good old Notes...., March 24, 2000

By 

Olivia (Utah. Boring old Utah.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hugo's Les Miserables (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

Okay, I was browsing through my library and I stumbled across the Les Miserables cliff notes (I have read the whole thing unabridged 4 times). I picked it up to look it over, and was impressed. I checked it out, and took it to school the next day and gave it to my friend who was reading the abridged version and I gave it to her to read. She liked it much better. She said it was, "Shorter (she's not exactly into long books), more emmotional (eep), and included many things that the abridgement left out. Two of my personal favorite parts- Jean Prouvaire's Last Poem, and Orestes Fasting and Pylades Drunk, which were included in Cliff's Notes. Bravo!

5.0 out of 5 stars Helped me enjoy the musical, October 14, 2008

By 

Lisa Bassan "Butter Buddha" (Peachtree City,GA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hugo's Les Miserables (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

This was perfect for me to read a week before I was to attend the musical. After reading this, I knew all the characters and their motivations and all the story lines. After watching the show, I became interested in reading the book...and probably will...someday!