This is Victor Hugo's 1862 French historical novel, "Les Misérables". Considered to be one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century, it chronicles the lives of several characters, focusing on ex-convict Jean Valjean's struggle for redemption. It is a profound examination of French history, the nature of law and justice, contemporary urban life, politics, moral philosophy, religion, and the types of romantic and familial love. A veritable masterpiece, "Les Misérables" constitutes a must-read for all lovers of literature. Victor Marie Hugo (1802 - 1885) was a French novelist, dramatist, and poet belonging to the Romantic movement. He is widely hailed as one of the most accomplished and well-known French writers, originally achieving renown for his poetical endeavours-the most notable of which are the volumes "Les Contemplations" and "La Légende des siècles". Outside of his native country, Hugo's best-known works are his novels: "Les Misérables" (1862) and "Notre-Dame de Paris" (1831), commonly known as "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". Aside from his literary achievements, he also produced over 4,000 beautiful drawings and was a prominent campaigner for social and political issues, including abolishing capital punishment.