Les Misérables is an 1862 French novel by author Victor Hugo and is widely considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century (literally “The Miserable Ones”; French pronunciation: [le mizeʁabl(ə)]), translated variously from the French as The Miserable Ones, The Wretched, The Poor Ones, The Wretched Poor, or The Victims). It follows the lives and interactions of several French characters over a seventeen-year period in the early nineteenth century, starting in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion.
The novel focuses on the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption. It examines the nature of law and grace, and expatiates upon the history of France, architecture of Paris, politics, moral philosophy, antimonarchism, justice, religion, and the types and nature of romantic and familial love. The story is historical fiction because it contains factual and historic events. Contrary to what some believe, it does not use the French Revolution as a backdrop. The French Revolution took place in the eighteenth century; Les Miserables takes place in the nineteenth. The only “revolution” depicted is the June Rebellion, a student uprising.
Les Misérables is known to many through its numerous stage and screen adaptations, most notably the stage musical of the same name. The music was composed by Schönberg, and the lyrics were written by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, with an English-language libretto by Herbert Kretzmer. Set in early 19th-century France, the plot follows the stories of many characters as they struggle for redemption and revolution. An ensemble that includes prostitutes, student revolutionaries, factory workers, and others joins the lead characters.
The musical opened at the Barbican Centre in London, England on 8 October 1985. It is the longest-running musical in the world. It is also the third longest-running show in Broadway history. In January 2010, it played its ten-thousandth performance in London, at Queen’s Theatre in London’s West End. On 3 October 2010, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary with three productions running in the same city. The original show was running in London’s West End; the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary touring production was running at the original home of the show, London’s Barbican Centre; and the third version, the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary concert at London’s O2 Arena.
The Tony Award-winning score features the song “I Dreamed a Dream“, sung as a solo by the character Fantine during the first act. Numerous artists have covered this song, including Elaine Paige, Neil Diamond, Aretha Franklin, David Essex, Michael Ball, Michael Crawford, and Susan Boyle.
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