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Description
The first new Penguin Classics translation in forty years of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, the subject of The Novel of the Century by David Bellos—published in a stunning Deluxe edition. Winner of the French-American Foundation & Florence Gould Foundation’s 29th Annual Translation Prize in Fiction. The subject of the world’s longest-running musical and the award-winning film, Les Misérables is a genuine literary treasure. Victor Hugo’s tale of injustice, heroism, and love follows the fortunes of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict determined to put his criminal past behind him, and has been a perennial favorite since it first appeared over 150 years ago. This exciting new translation with Jillian Tamaki’s brilliant cover art will be a gift both to readers who have already fallen for its timeless story and to new readers discovering it for the first time. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. Read more
Publisher : Penguin Classics
Publication date : February 24, 2015
Edition : Deluxe
Language : English
Print length : 1456 pages
ISBN-10 : 0143107569
ISBN-13 : 69
Item Weight : 4 pounds
Dimensions : 5.72 x 2.71 x 8.45 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #49,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #272 in Classic Literature & Fiction #800 in Literary Fiction (Books) #858 in Historical Fiction (Books)
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Top Amazon Reviews
At the time of my review, this was the newest English translation of Hugo's masterpiece offered by Penguin publishing that absolutely compelled me to indulge in my favourite piece of literature a second time told anew. For novices to Hugo's gigantic work it is quite daunting for those who tire of long tales. In addition, confronted with any new book, we wonder whether the book is worthy of our time investment and efforts to cross check with detailed annotations and footnotes. Certainly more difficult these days given the enormous plethora of distractions competing for our attention in our modern living, the smartphone being the chief culprit. But seriously, if we do dare embark on this life changing experience (characters in the book and also the reader's) by reading Les Miserables, the correct question we must first ask ourselves is whether we are worthy and knowledgeable enough to turn the gilded pages of Victor Hugo's masterpiece that drips with words of gold in every page. Much to my astonishment after concluding my second read with buckets of tears (I am sentimental but am moved only by giant geniuses like Hugo) it dawned on me that I really have not read it at all 30 years ago. But I remember clearly that I turned to Hugo chiefly to escape my wretchedness (pun intended) in the 2.5 years compulsory military service. Given my youth then, I had not chalked up enough life's hard experiences yet to have full empathy for much of the suffering and the depth of french history especially the french revolution to grasp all the nuances Hugo would have wanted his readers to appreciate. Today, with >30 years of life's heavy baggage accumulated, I am less unworthy and more adequate a reader because I have imbibed so much more of Hugo's spectacular offering of humanity at its worst and best. There are diamonds in every page of his over 1500 pages novel (English version, the French is >1900 pages). I wish I could read Hugo's work in French, but like all illiterates in French, we appreciate the great work of translations. To say the least, Les Misérables translated by Christine Donougher is a brilliant new, faithful and unabridged version I believe ( leap of faith since I haven't read it in French) of Victor Hugo's thrilling masterpiece, with an introduction by Robert Tombs. The annotations and footnotes are exceptionally brilliant. Cross checking them all as one reads along is essential to know the historical characters and the circumstantial events revolving the story with the French revolution being the chief most tumultuous and had the most far reaching impact on social divide and inequality. It led to the overthrow of Monarchy and establishment of the Republic. The citizen was born with a new hope in a society based on Liberté, égalité, fraternité. Hugo left no stone upturned, no plant not described, no object of the barricade unmentioned when he described the French landscape of past. Such was Hugo's meticulous style but welcomed minutia on details, none more so than his detailed description of the Paris sewer system. So convincing was Hugo in portraying the subterranean maze as a treacherous stinking route of escape that it was an impossible escape and rescue mission for any human. Thus heightening the immense task undertaken by our hero in carrying an unconscious full grown man to emerge alive at the end after navigating 4 miles of slimy putrid ditches in pitch darkness most of the journey. In comparison, Shawshank would have been a walk in the park. And our hero didn't even like the man he was rescuing because he knew his sole happiness in life would be taken away by this unconscious young man. But he did it because he was superhuman and an angel. My first read nearly 30 years ago was a translation by another fabulous woman, Isabella Hapgood, before kindle and digital books were in existence. Going to the annotations then was a chore and was often neglected which inevitably hampered my level of appreciation for the book. Despite that, my first read shook me to the core by the breadth and depth of Hugo's masterpiece on the wretched human condition and the hand of God in redeeming His elects, Jean Valjean chief amongst many in the book. Desiring a second enjoyment, I researched and sampled the various translations on offer after a 30 years gap, this time round on digital by kindle. For translations I always go to the reliable and more expensive Penguin publishers first before looking at other publishers. Les Misérables with the unique English title "The Wretched", convinced me to be the best after some comparisons of the first chapter of various translations. A Penguin yet again. The audacity of translating the title "Les Miserables" to "The Wretched" was ingenious and original to set itself apart from the other translations. As a genuine connoisseur of literature of the finest kind that I consider myself, I cannot emphasise enough to all non French speaking readers on the careful choice of the best translation and to spare no expenses for the best experience one must have. Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" is the finest of them all. Its the top notch Beluga caviar and it is the finest of the finest brandy ever distilled. As you would pay top dollar to enjoy them so too should you for the pride and joy of classic literature, the world (Hugo in this case) has to offer to the universe. Hugo's fine work must undoubtedly be also the pride and joy of God since it showcases His will on mankind. God has already shown in the story of Job, the finest men can be inflicted with life's greatest catastrophes and grief, and in the gospels that the most perfect man must walk the hardest road. Hugo's premise in Les Miserables was exactly that providence is responsible for the wretchedness in our lives. Providence can also lift the wretchedness from the most wretched and turn them into the greatest salt and light of the world. There are many wretched characters in Hugo's les miserables. Once you have read them, you can play the game of picking the most wretched of them all. The drama of "road to Damascus" was played out several times in the book. Like the Jew persecutor, Saul transformed into fiery apostle Paul, so too was a hardened ex convict touched by the hand of God and was transformed into a loving angel to the world of wretched souls that crossed his path.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2017 by Er Jwee Chiek 余瑞傑
Format: Audiobook
This was one of the greatest historical novels I have ever read. Brilliant writing, brilliant story, a true masterpiece!
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2026 by Michael Beckman
Format: Paperback
Ditto every 5-star review. Beautifully written story by Victor Hugo. This is a beautiful publication edition and translation. Worth reading every single page of this ~1500 page book. Love it.
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2025 by CeCe
Format: Paperback
I had tried the Fahnestock et al translation and got about 1/3 of the way thru it. This Donougher translation is the one to go with. I read the whole thing. This particular edition, with the white cover, is the one to buy because it has Donougher's End Notes, which are extensive. There is another paperback Donougher edition, which lacks the Notes. It's confusing because footnotes in the text refer to the Notes, page 1402 or something like that, but they're not there! That edition only goes to page 1304. That edition has a dark cover with photographs of the actors, in costume, who played major parts in the BBC drama based on the book. So, look for the white cover, the so-called deluxe edition. Donougher initially titled her translation The Wretched, but I'm guessing the publisher changed it to the French original so that people could find it. Also, I think there's a porn series called The Wretched, a whole different kettle of fish. I don't see why they didn't compromise and call her translation "Les Miserables: The Wretched." The novel itself is the original "baggy monster," to use Henry James's phrase. There are numerous diversions away from the main story lines. I think the way to enjoy the book is to relax and just let Hugo take you wherever he wants to. The scene at the beginning of the book (spoiler alert) when the bishop gives Jean Valjean the candlesticks to save him from arrest makes me cry every time. It's a helluva read.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2025 by William
This is a great story but Hugo says the same thing over and over as he dives into scenes, thoughts, and the research he obviously did for this book. A couple of examples are 1) a 30 minute treatise about the history of Paris sewers and then he wound that research into subsequent chapters and 2) a 15 page love letter that drones on and on and on. I thought the book had a good stopping point where everyone would live happily ever after but no, the denouement continues to a perhaps more satisfying but sad conclusion.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2025 by Kindle Customer
Format: Paperback
Reminds me of my mom exactly as I remember
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2026 by Karin Thurber
This is indeed a gorgeous edition of an exquisitely heartbreaking book. I generally believe in reading the original text and not abridged version, but in this case trust me, you'll be just fine unless you have a serious passion for reading chapter after chapter about topics of antiquated french history that do not actually further the plot. Yes the chapters on the life of street children made sense, and some about waterloo, but there were SOOOO many that just went on and on and on about superfluous topics (barricade construction, monarchist ideals, convent life etc.). The actual story itself is indeed worthy of being a classic that endures with the most beautiful being the story of Jean Valjean and Cosette (even with Hugo's very dated ideas about female chastity and virginity, about which you will read A LOT).
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Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2024 by Dr. B
Format: Paperback
I am loving this edition as it has lots of relevant historical info and French translation issues info.
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2025 by John Russo