Menasha Public Library (Elisha D. Smith)

The novel of the century, the extraordinary adventure of Les Misérables, David Bellos

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 271-277) and index

index present

non fiction

The novel of the century

bibliography

951158194

David Bellos

the extraordinary adventure of Les Misérables

"The definitive biography of the world's most popular novel. Putting a century of scholarship on one of the world's most enduring popular novels into accessible, narrative form, this new approach to a classic of world literature is written for a wide general readership. Packed full of information about the book's origins and later career on stage and screen, The Novel of the Century brings to life the extraordinary story of how Victor Hugo managed to write his novel of the downtrodden despite a revolution, a coup d'état, and political exile; how he pulled off the deal of the century to get it published; and how he set it on course to become the novel that epitomizes the grand sweep of history in the nineteenth century. This biography of a masterpiece also shows how and why the moral and social messages of Les Misérables are full of meaning for our time. "--, Provided by publisher"The story of how Victor Hugo wrote Les Misérables and why it became among the most influential and protean works of art ever created"--, Provided by publisher

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