本书是雨果继《巴黎圣母院》之后创作的又一部气势恢宏的鸿篇巨著，是最能代表雨果的思想和艺术风格的长篇小说。全书以卓越的艺术魅力，展示了一幅自1793年法国大革命至1832年巴黎人民起义期间，法国近代社会生活和政治生活的辉煌画卷，最大限度地体现了雨果在叙事方面的过人才华，是文学史上现实主义与浪漫主义结合的典范。小说集中反映了雨果的人道主义思想，饱含了雨果对于人类苦难命运的关心和对末来坚定不移的信念，具有震撼人心的艺术感染力。

Hugo’s epic tale of social injustice, politics, heroism and love is a towering work of Western literature.

It follows in particular the fortunes of Jean Valjean who out of extreme poverty steals a loaf of bread and then spends many years trying to escape his reputation as a criminal. In later years he rises socially and is a respectable member of society; but he is not allowed to forget his past by the sadistic policeman Javert who is determined to expose him.

As Valjean struggles to elude his nemesis, we meet many other unforgettable characters: the tragically victimized Fantine and her daughter Cosette, whom Valjean has sworn to protect; the rascally Thenardier and the quick-witted street urchin Gavroche. Each of them prepares to meet their destinies at the barricades as the July Revolution comes to a dramatic climax.

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