Cliffs Notes on Hugo's Les Miserables

by Amy L. Marsland

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 includeIntroduction to the novelA brief synopsis of the novelChapter summaries and analysesAn Interactive quiz to test your knowledgeEssay 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.

Genres: Classics

122 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 1968

About the author

Amy Louise Marsland was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She received a B.A. at the University of Saskatchewan and an M.A. and PhD. at the University of Michigan; she taught at Carleton College in Minnesota and Binghamton University in New York. She lived for many years in Greene, NY, where she was involved in the family newspaper business as editor and treasurer.

Dr. Marsland wrote two non-fiction books with her husband, William D. Marsland : Venezuela Through Its History and Snow White, the Wolf and the Unicorn: The Structural Origins of Western Culture. Her last scholarly work, The Origin of Culture, was published in 2009.

She also wrote two Doubleday Crime Club novels as Amy Marsland : Cache-Cache and A Classic Death.

Reviews

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book so many years ago, it's hard to remember all the wonderful details. I'm the type of person who likes to separate the book from the film. I want to remember Les Mis through Hugo's eyes again. Although I loved the movie too.
Les Miserables are children who need to be fed, men who need jobs, women who need protection. Hugo tries to convince us that these miserables are worth saving. That "even the most impudent, scruffy street gamin has something to contribute to society, that even the most hardened convict is capable of great good." I think this book is so universal and timeless and pertinent to you and me because it is "permeated by the unquenchable belief in the spiritual possibilities of man." That man is not perfect, but perfectible.
Valjean is you, Valjean is me, he's all of us. An imperfect person who daily fights the battle of good and evil within his soul.
If you love the book, this short but insightful read will only add to the experience of an epic journey.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this along with the unabridged novel for added insight into the text. Excellent notes, perspectives and additional background information. It was the better of the two study guides I used because it was so well written and did not contain spoilers.

[Natasha Fondren · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was research! :-)