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Just scanned through every page of topics in this Classics sub-forum and can't believe no one has mentioned Victor Hugo's Les Miserablés. Am I really the only one who read and enjoyed this epic novel? Set in the early 1800s, it follows the trials and tribulations of ex-convict Jean Valjean following his release from prison (serving something like 18 years (forgive me if I got that wrong) for stealing a loaf of bread) and the offer of redemption he receives from a clergyman after he tries to steal the church silverware. Valjean goes on to turn his life around, helping (and being helped by) various characters along the way, all the while being hunted down by Javert, a member of the gendarmerie (police). The whole story culminates, rather meaningfully, in the June Uprising in the 1830s. I'm sure everyone here has either seen the stage show, seen one of the many films or made-for-TV movies, or at the very least, heard Susan Boyle sing her rendition of one of the stage-show's classic titles, I Have a Dream... But how many of you have actually read the novel? For me, I started with the Penguin Classic - abridged and chopped down to around 200 pages or so, which I picked up for £1 or £1.50. I consumed it within two days and was hungry for more. I felt like the story had so much more to give than was offered in the abridged version, so I immediately hit the bookstore for the complete and unabridged version. I admit the first third of the novel was a bit of a hard slog. There were French words I didn't know, place names I couldn't get my tongue around, and descriptive passages that oftentimes seemed to meander meaninglessly, but I can assure you, if you're tempted to read it, get through that first 500 pages or so (I know it sounds like a lot, but trust me, it's worth it!) and you won't be able to put the book down.