Les Miserables

Considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century, Les Miserables (translated variously from French as The Miserable Ones, The Poor Ones, The Wretched Poor, The Victims) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo. The story follows the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean from 1815 through the 1832 Rebellion in Paris. Les Miserables' beloved story of redemption encourages compassion and hope in the face of adversity and injustice.   The epic novel is divided in five volumes, each of which is divided into several books and subdivided into chapters, totaling 48 books and 365 chapters. Les Miserables, as a whole, is one the longest novels ever written with about 1,500 pages in unabridged English editions and 1,900 pages in French. Les Misérables is known to many through its numerous stage and screen adaptations, such as the stage musical of the same name, sometimes abbreviated "Les Mis".

Lacroix, Verboeckhoven & Co. first published Les Miserables in Brussels in 1862. The Paris edition was published a few days later.

Translated by Charles E. Wilbour, Carleton Publishing Company presented the first English edition of Les Miserables in 1862. That same year, the first British edition was translated by Lascelles Wraxall and published by Hurst and Blacket.