Hope

I have always been moved by the story's theme of morality based on law versus morality rooted in love. This book is unquestionably worth reading. The development of the characters and their struggles are so rich that I found myself crying during parts of the book. The best comments I can give to this book is that it touched my life and that its main characters will live in my heart forever. Les Mis follows convict-turned-saint Jean Valjean as he raises the orphan Cosette and evades police inspector Javert. An act of mercy by Monseigneur Bienvenu, an exemplary bishop, sets Jean Valjean on the path of righteousness: this scene is one of the most powerful I have ever encountered in all of fiction. The scope and depth of the story is unbelievable. The characters are so completely flesh and bone that you know them. You know who they are and exactly how they will react in a situation before it ever happens. Les Miserables is about poverty and the human condition, set against the backdrop of decades of French history. But it is so much more. It's a story of the redemption of man, despite everything the would can throw at him. It is a story of fear and sadness, but most of all, hope. The hope that we can do better.This book deserves all its praise.