Les Miserables (1862) is a novel by French author Victor Hugo, and among the best-known novels of the 19th century. It follows the lives and interactions of several French characters over a twenty year period in the early 19th century that starts in the year of Napoleon's final defeat. Principally focusing on the struggles of the protagonist-ex-convict Jean Valjean-who seeks to redeem himself, the novel also examines the impact of Valjean's actions for the sake of social commentary. It examines ...