Tale of poverty and deprivation in 19th century France, and a powerful argument on the laws and social condemnation that create a man-made hell on earth for those trapped at society’s edges. An important novel to read for its insights. Hugo’s flow and meaning hindered only by a poor English translation.

What is this history of ____? It is society buying a slave.

From whom? From misery.

From hunger, from cold, from loneliness, from abandonment, from privation. Melancholy barter. A soul for a bit of bread. Misery makes the offer, society accepts.

pp 126, Les Miserables, Volume I, Victor Hugo.