The novel of the century: the extraordinary adventure of Les Misérables

On reading Les Misérables

The journey of Les Misérables

Crimes and punishments. Victor Hugo opens his eyes ; Fantine ; The first draft ; Interlude : Invisible history

Treasure islands. The money plot ; Hauteville house ; The beliefs of Victor Hugo ; Hugo gets back to work ; Interlude : Inventing the names

Rooms with a view. Victory at Waterloo ; The contract of the century ; The five parts of Les Misérables ; Interlude : The mind of Jean Valjean

War, peace, and progress. The start of it all ; The Paris of Les Misérables ; The politics of Les Misérables ; The stumbling block ; Interlude : High style, low style, Latin, and slang

Great expectations. Publication day : 4 April 1862 ; A story without end ; The meaning of Les Misérables

Journey's end

France in the nineteenth century : a time line.