Kindle
$0.00
Available instantly
Paperback
$12.99
Buy new:
$12.99
FREE delivery Monday, July 29 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$12.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Monday, July 29 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
In Stock
$$12.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$12.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$12.34
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
A copy that has been read, but remains in good conditions, book shows minimal signs of cover wear all pages are clean from highlighting and handwriting. Thank you!! A copy that has been read, but remains in good conditions, book shows minimal signs of cover wear all pages are clean from highlighting and handwriting. Thank you!! See less
FREE delivery Tuesday, July 30 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$12.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$12.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Victor Hugo
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Man Who Laughs Paperback – February 5, 2014

by Victor Hugo (Author), Anonymous (Translator)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 299 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$12.99","priceAmount":12.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"KZmx9Mv7v9Y7qsyBthDMsMTTB4LvtNtZpgS3DrVFKpTF9OqHUyxkk0TuiwhonHzs5EIbBxYe7S9ISzosyQV6fTB2s0PW%2BhiiqJSGeA1Fu2cxEsBvkUehGIus8Xkkb2vEBhw1MIh9p17zIUmOBHzd7g%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$12.34","priceAmount":12.34,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"34","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"KZmx9Mv7v9Y7qsyBthDMsMTTB4LvtNtZX8yQCEdlC7oPEJRl3gxrP2zOWJHEMYvVvi6mmxOIjtsQ6gkmpRlhRCpuo2nmRPP01%2BeMI72w1YwIO2sK6Z4jd7HaKTOWQ71pp8W0uH%2BldgQZ2sHWsPkYHl6mgJd1zCEo7ggV9sOT2EEdbBtSO0A1FdyKbrX9uViE","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Victor Hugo's writing is some of the best and most beautiful ever produced; this anonymous translation of his hard-to-find The Man Who Laughs shows Hugo's wonderful use of language to tell a heartbreaking story. While it is not as well known as Les Miserable or The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Man Who Laughs remains a classic story worth reading.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    306 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 5, 2014
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.69 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1495441938
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1495441936
  7. See all details
Next slide of product details
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (February 5, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 306 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1495441938
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1495441936
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.69 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 299 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Victor Marie Hugo (/ˈhjuːɡoʊ/; French: [viktɔʁ maʁi yɡo]; 26 February 1802 – 22 May 1885) was a French poet, novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic movement. He is considered one of the greatest and best-known French writers. In France, Hugo's literary fame comes first from his poetry and then from his novels and his dramatic achievements. Among many volumes of poetry, Les Contemplations and La Légende des siècles stand particularly high in critical esteem. Outside France, his best-known works are the novels Les Misérables, 1862, and Notre-Dame de Paris, 1831 (known in English as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame). He also produced more than 4,000 drawings, which have since been admired for their beauty, and earned widespread respect as a campaigner for social causes such as the abolition of capital punishment.

Though a committed royalist when he was young, Hugo's views changed as the decades passed, and he became a passionate supporter of republicanism; his work touches upon most of the political and social issues and the artistic trends of his time. He is buried in the Panthéon. His legacy has been honoured in many ways, including his portrait being placed on French franc banknotes.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Étienne Carjat [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
299 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the plot lovely, tragic, and suspenseful. They also describe the book design as magnificent and the writing style as beautiful. Opinions differ on the content, with some finding it educational and others finding it uninteresting and full of backstory infodumps.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
PlotBook designWriting styleCharactersContent
14 customers mention "Plot"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the plot lovely, poignant, and masterful. They also appreciate the vivid sketch of human nature, and the suspenseful style. Readers say the book is challenging to the mind and exciting to the senses.

"...the layers of the story, the characters, and the masterful way Hugo threw out plot threads that you had no idea were important - until he tied them..." Read more

"...Tragic, frightening, magnificent." Read more

"...The story line is absolutely terrific. Do yourself a favour and read it,." Read more

"...written of finding the one true love but Hugo's is truly one of the most emotional. And then Dea dies...." Read more

9 customers mention "Book design"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book design magnificent and unique.

"...What a magic opportunity this brilliantly creative book is for learning about the law and the justice of those older days and how closely Hugo..." Read more

"Good book, but too much extra information, and I personally do not like the ending. Book on kindle was like 3000 pages. Seemed to last forever...." Read more

"...I soon learned to speed read over his diversions and enjoyed this book immensely. The story line is absolutely terrific...." Read more

"...All of Hugo's works are impressive and timeless in their educational value.Barbara" Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style beautifully written, scathingly cynical, and utterly unforgiving.

"Well-written, a commune with souls. Tragedy. Dark. Read it for yourself. A vivid sketch of human nature. Left me sad at the end." Read more

"Beautifully written, scathingly cynical, and utterly unforgiving...." Read more

"...to his writing style with the very full descriptions and his wonderful use of words...." Read more

"...The story line is wonderful. The writing is interesting...." Read more

3 customers mention "Characters"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book interesting. They mention the plot is compelling and the book has four interesting central characters.

"This historical novel has intriguing character development and a unexpectedly poignant ending...." Read more

"...Beautifully and intricately woven story with very believable characters." Read more

"The Man Who Laughs has a compelling central plot and four interesting central characters ( one being a wolf)but gets bogged down by excessive detail..." Read more

11 customers mention "Content"5 positive6 negative

Customers are mixed about the content. Some find it very educational, heart-rending, challenging to the mind, and engrossing. Others say the lineages are pages long, uninteresting, and unnecessary. They also say the book gets bogged down by excessive detail and that there is no happiness for anyone.

"Victor Hugo's "The Man Who Laughs" is a beautiful, heart-rending history lesson of old England...." Read more

"...There are HUGE swaths of narrative 'telling', massive backstory infodumps, and Hugo had a tendancy toward excessive and repetitive metaphor - he..." Read more

"...All of Hugo's works are impressive and timeless in their educational value.Barbara" Read more

"Good book, but too much extra information, and I personally do not like the ending. Book on kindle was like 3000 pages. Seemed to last forever...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Trish
5.0 out of 5 stars One Of My All Time Favorite Books
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2013
Verified Purchase
I loved this book back when I read it for a college class assignment in my early twenties and recently re-read it again when I discovered there was a French language movie version being produced for release in 2012.

There are synopsis' in the other reviews, so I won't rehash. I loved the layers of the story, the characters, and the masterful way Hugo threw out plot threads that you had no idea were important - until he tied them together (the (long and rambling) list of peers on Ursus' board, the signed confession in the bottle when the Comprachico's ship sinks, all the backstory on Clancharlie, Charles II, Lord David, Queen Anne, and the Duchess Josiana; the workings of Barkilphedro's malicious mind - they all come together in a brilliant and tragic climax.

I love the characters of Gwynplaine, Dea, and Ursus, and I love the story. The only drawback I think for modern readers is that this story is very much written in the style of its time. There are HUGE swaths of narrative 'telling', massive backstory infodumps, and Hugo had a tendancy toward excessive and repetitive metaphor - he often goes pages giving us one metaphor after another describing the same emotion or act.

But please don't let that put you off, this is one of my favorite books of all time, and I will never forget the way I felt the first time I read it and came to the last page. I remember closing the book and just sitting there with tears running down my face. I can't wait to see the 2012 movie adaptation when it comes out on DVD, please let them have stayed true to the storyline.
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Big Tone
5.0 out of 5 stars A lesson in background
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2012
Verified Purchase
Victor Hugo's "The Man Who Laughs" is a beautiful, heart-rending history lesson of old England. What a magic opportunity this brilliantly creative book is for learning about the law and the justice of those older days and how closely Hugo relates them to our world even today. Somehow the story is able to open our eyes as to what is still happening all around us, even though we are supposed to be enlightened and educated people. Tragic, frightening, magnificent.
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
a_bargain_or_nothing
4.0 out of 5 stars Very long and educational book
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2018
Verified Purchase
Good book, but too much extra information, and I personally do not like the ending. Book on kindle was like 3000 pages. Seemed to last forever. However, it very educational, I learned a lot about history and people of those days.
Helpful
 Report
Kay Casey
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly wonderful read.
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2016
Verified Purchase
My favourite book! Could hardly put it down. Hugo goes off on a tangent many, many times regarding his great knowledge of English and French history including kings. lords, dukes et al.
I soon learned to speed read over his diversions and enjoyed this book immensely. The story line is absolutely terrific. Do yourself a favour and read it,.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
David Swan
3.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Short Story Stretched to Nearly 400 Pages
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
Victor Hugo is clearly one of histories great writers but I can't lie, this book was a chore to get through. The problem is it has the feel of a book where the writer is paid by the word because Hugo just goes off on these long extraneous tangents. Early in the story a ship is foundering in a storm and we go through chapter after chapter after chapter as they narrowly escape disaster only to have the boat sink with everyone dying. If the entire section were removed from the book it would have no impact on the story. We technically don't even get to The Man Who Laughs until halfway through the book after jumping from character to character who seemingly have no relationship.

The Man who Laughs is the story of Gwynplaine, who as an infant was purposely disfigured to give him a hideous, ever present grin. Despite the horrific and sadistic damage inflicted upon him Gwynplaine remains a good man who uses his misfortune as employment in a popular show. He even finds love in a blind girl. Gwynplaine is famous as the inspiration for Batman's famous nemesis, The Joker. The Joker's look was taken directly from Conradt Veidt's portrayal in the 1928 film based on the Victor Hugo's book.

SPOILER:
Here is the really tough part for me because generally I'm cool with a sad ending. Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame had a terribly tragic ending for the poor Hunchback but there was something about this ending that was really a punch in the gut. After this long long book it seemed as if Gwynplaine and his love, Dea, could finally find happiness. Gwynplaine realized that Dea was the only thing in life that truly mattered. I cannot express how well Victor Hugo sets up this wonderful ending. A million stories have been written of finding the one true love but Hugo's is truly one of the most emotional. And then Dea dies. She just dies for no apparent reason and Gwynplaine walks into the sea. The End. It is an absolutely cruel ending both for the characters and the reader and as it played out I was just wishing Hugo wouldn't do it. But he did. The honest truth of the matter is I wish I had not read this book. Victor Hugo's technical skills in putting down words is amazing but the story is entirely too drawn out and the payoff is a kick in the ass. There is no happiness for anyone.
12 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Tabitha Elliott
5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant, heartwrenching
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
Well-written, a commune with souls. Tragedy. Dark. Read it for yourself. A vivid sketch of human nature. Left me sad at the end.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Barbara D Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars This historical novel has intriguing character development and a unexpectedly ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
This historical novel has intriguing character development and a unexpectedly poignant ending. Based on historical background facts, the tale is most unusual in its in portrayal of human emotions and life values. All of Hugo's works are impressive and timeless in their educational value.
Barbara
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Valerian8
4.0 out of 5 stars Tragically beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
Victor Hugo is verbose. He uses very descriptive language to illustrate a scene or even get to a point. For me, there is beauty in how he illustrates his stories as one of the best classic wordsmiths ever. The story centers around an old man whose only companion is a domesticated wolf - the man a bit charlatan, a tad snake oil salesman, a mystic, and maybe even a little insane. He happens upon a boy who, after being horribly disfigured in a manner acceptable at that time period for the amusement of those who have money to pay human traffickers for the creation of jesters and clowns. The boy, in a tragic state, abandoned, has with him a baby found in a freezing storm. The old man, wolf, boy and baby learn to embrace each other in their life as the unwanted fringe. Without spoiling the story, this is a tragic story of love amidst human suffering.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Paul Douglas Lovell
3.0 out of 5 stars Not the type of ending that rewards.
Reviewed in Germany on May 4, 2024
Verified Purchase
On and on and on. At first I was gonna mark this 4.5 stars for the writing and story but I was only 20% in at the time. As a writer I like to review the book on what it is, and not what I hoped it would be.

Annoyingly, despite the beauty of his verse, Hugo will consistently give ten, twelve, fourteen examples where three are already way too many. There are names by the hundreds, all unneeded, incidental players, seems like padding half the time. I kept reading because I wanted to follow the main character/story. AND because I can't deny the writing was poetry most of the time. Still I was frustrated, annoyed and even angry because he just didn't know when enough was enough. A whole chapter it seems was given only to describing a stormy sea.

In the end, even the story left me wanting. Not the type of ending that rewards. I won't be reading another book of his. Shame really cause I wanted to read Les Miserables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, now I wont.

Three stars for the talent.
Report
Adhithyan
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice one
Reviewed in India on November 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
Good book
Customer image
Adhithyan
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice one
Reviewed in India on November 21, 2019
Good book
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
Report
la chenerie
5.0 out of 5 stars Full of feeling
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
I first came across Victor Hugo when I was 10 years old. I found him a struggle. Since then I have grown up and seen a bit more of the world. Now the problem is putting his books down once I start it. This book I read in French 15 years ago. The translations is very very good. I recommend this book to any that want to feel how an author can pull on one's heart strings.
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on November 23, 2015
Verified Purchase
Excellent book!!!!!
Report
Mr. Robert J. Murcott
4.0 out of 5 stars Not a light and fluffy read!! Be warned!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2015
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed my reading of The Man Who Laughs and took many memorable quotes from it. It's an incredible insight into what was once a hard life in early 18th century England from a master Frenchman.

At times the descriptive writing can be a little over the top (which is why I marked it down - and would have only done so by half a star if possible) but if you are persistent then you will get to enjoy an immersive social critique.

It's no sunflowers and daisies so expect a lot of heartache and the possible shedding of a tear or two.
4 people found this helpful
 Report